I loved M. Brandon Robbins recent article, "No, I Will Not Edit Your Paper" and people's frequent assumptions that (a) because you're a writer you'll gladly edit someone's work, and (b) you'll do it for free. Robbins suggested being gracious while explaining your writing expertise comes with a fee, which I thought to be a most appropriate response. I've had similar situations happen to me on at least three occasions and not necessarily in the most appropriate of circumstances. In this case people asked, "How can I break into the writing field and/or get published?" The key is to recognize when your writer's status is being taken advantage of by "advice-seeking freeloaders."

The first time this occurred shortly after the publication of Hollywood and Catholic Women. I was thrilled-- someone had actually read my book and was asking me for advice! Me! In this case the would-be writer contacted me via e-mail and asked me to describe my self-publishing experience, as she was contemplating taking that route. My experience through iUniverse had been very positive, but marketing the book on my own was a far more daunting endeavor than I had anticipated. In hindsight I would have done it differently, by hiring a marketing company to expand my target audience and reach, etc. I explained the pros and cons-- having control over your writing vs. the very tough business of being a one-woman marketing/advertising/public relations office. I didn't shy away from the difficulties a writer faces in taking this approach, but I had gotten my book published and to good reviews.

The woman wrote back that this information was of great help to her, so in this case I was more than happy to help. Did it take time and effort to compose a response that would be of benefit? Sure, but I never felt as though I were being taken advantage of, or inconvenienced by someone seeking advice in hopes of claiming it for free. Unfortunately, I can't say the same about the next two situations. 

While I had published a book and considered myself first and foremost a writer, I wasn't exactly raking in the royalty checks, which meant I had to have a day job. Loath to actually work full-time at something outside of writing, I chose the temporary employment route, so when I did hit it big I could leave. The job was data entry for a major bank, the kind of monotony that can bore you into a catatonic state, but one error can cost the institution millions and you a job. So you actually had to pay attention and we were on 24-hour turn-around.

One day my boss interrupted this morass of boredom by coming into my cubicle and announcing, "Here she is! She'll tell you all you need to know about becoming a writer," and left someone named Dwayne hovering over my desk. First, I was stunned my own boss was disrupting my work since we were always being monitored, and second, I didn't have a clue what this guy wanted. Dwayne (or maybe it was Darryl or Dwight) had written a screenplay and wanted to know if I had any contacts not just in the publishing world, but in Hollywood as well. Instead of responding, "You think I'd be sitting here doing data entry if I did, pal?" I asked what genre his screenplay was. Dwight asked what "genre" meant and I silently cursed my supervisor. When I pressed him to explain the story, Darryl said his screenplay was "about life."

In this instance I felt my boss had no business telling Dwayne I was a writer and assuming I could, or would even be interested in helping him. Instead of blowing him off, I told him I knew nothing about screenplays or getting a foot into the Hollywood hills, but did know of some excellent resources. I put together a list and gave it to him. Like the previous inquiry this too took time and effort, but I definitely saw him as looking for free advice. Later, I heard Darryl had quit his temp job and gone to Chicago to film his dream project "about life" and all I can say is, lots of luck with that. If he's actually successful, I'm betting I probably won't make it into the acknowledgments, but it would be the least Darryl could do. 

The last time someone asked me about breaking into the field of writing was so inappropriate I could barely contain my amazement at being asked the question. This situation occurred during a job interview, for some forgotten part-time job at an area college. At the conclusion of the interview, the head of the department asked to talk with me privately. For the briefest of moments, I thought perhaps I had at least landed a second interview. 

After everyone left the room, he asked me how his son, who had just graduated from high school, could best break into the writing field. I was astonished for two reasons. One, I was on campus at a major, well respected university and two, this was a job interview, for crying out loud! I pulled some ideas out of thin air and later in my "thanks for the interview" e-mail suggested the instructor or his son contact the English department for some good solid writing guidance. I didn't get the job, which really wasn't a surprise. What did surprise me, however; was the professor not even bothering to acknowledge I had taken the time to find additional information for his son's writing endeavors. 

Being a writer might be akin to encountering the occupational hazards of lawyers or doctors-- people aren't shy about being "advice-seeking freeloaders." Still, Robbins is taking the best approach when he tells people who are clearly hoping to get free writing and editing assistance that he's willing to help, but for a fee. He has a great business model-- giving discounts to students who may later turn into full-paying clients, and spread the word about what a great writer and editor he is. Robbins may have a "family rate" for friends and relatives, but he's never taken advantage of, and he's not burning any bridges. 

In retrospect, I wish I'd had Robbins' insights before my encounters with the above mentioned "advice-seeking freeloaders" but there's always the future. The key for any author in this situation, I think, is to be polite, but firm, just as Robbins is. He gets his point across that writing is a valuable skill that takes time and effort, without alienating potential clients. 

My situations were slightly different, in that writing wasn't my full-time career and I wasn't building a client list. Yet I was very definitely taken advantage of, a situation I could have, and should have, defused. In polite but professional terms, I should have let my bank supervisor know I preferred to keep my writing and temp jobs separate. With the job interview, it would have been better to simply suggest the English Department as a resource. 

Robbins doesn't want to resort to donning a t-shirt proclaiming, "No, I will not edit your paper," and that's probably a good thing. Yet it's frustrating to realize most people do not understand that writing is not only a skill that requires education and hard work, it requires talent. And that's probably the most annoying thing about the "advice-seeking freeloaders"-- deep down they know it, but they're not willing to treat writing and the author with the respect they deserve by paying for it. 

Kathryn Schleich is the author of Hollywood and Catholic Women (iUniverse, 2003). She has been published in numerous publications including the Lewis University Alumni Magazine, and Christianity in the Arts. She is currently at work on her second book, Salvation Station. Visit her website: www.women-write.com.

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