I’ve been giving this whole idea of paid blogging some thought, obviously. I’m sure those positions with ClubMom.com are going to be highly competitive, and they’ll be swamped with thousands of applicants. One of the main reasons I posted that job opportunity is because it highlights the level of respect companies are starting to show for blogging.

Personally, I think most writers are underpaid for the amount of work that is required. There has been a huge discussion this past week in one of my online writing groups about plagiarizing and copyright infringement. Since it’s so easy to cut and paste, people do it all the time without a second thought.

I’ve finally gotten fed up with people who forward me cute stories and jokes that don’t have a writer’s name on them. This is plagiarizing, people. STEALING. There are a few individuals who keep sending me these things, and I’ve finally asked to be removed from their lists. I don’t want any part of that anymore. (Plus, people assume I’m only interested in “religious” things, so I keep being sent pictures of “The Last Supper sand sculpture” and things like that.)

I do subscribe to a few e-newsletters that send me interesting stories, quotes, news items and devotionals, and these help keep me updated on topics that interest me. But these newsletters always contain a byline, giving the author full credit. Often, the author is supported by advertising, so when I click through to check out an ad, that helps the author earn money.

Have you ever cut-and-pasted something funny in your blog or in emails to people without giving the author credit? Don’t do it. It’s the same as making xerox copies of a book and not paying for it. Or burning CDs without paying the artist. You can actually be sued for plagiarizing. If you copy more than four words in a row without giving the writer credit, that’s plagiarizing. It’s done all the time, and is rampant in schools and colleges now. (Students must think their professors are idiots. You wouldn’t believe some of the stuff they try to get away with around here. They say, “Oh, I didn’t know it was plagiarizing to cut and paste an entire article, then sign my name to it to get a grade for it. Oops. My bad.”)

I enjoyed reading about La Shawn Barber’s new direction for her blog. In her post, LBC Retooling, she explained that she’s not going to be posting as much because she’s publishing her opinions in a lot of different places now. She’s also been approached by several literary agents and publishing houses lately who want her to write a book — so that’s where she’s headed. I say way to go, La Shawn. Here’s what she wrote in her post:

Before the blog, I used to submit op-eds to newspapers twice a month. Sometimes I hit, sometimes I missed. But the process became a habit. As the blog began to grow, I lost the habit and concentrated on writing for the blog. The audience grew. If all I wanted to be was a blogger, the goal was achieved. But I want to be a writer again. In fact, I want to be considered a writer first. Blogging is great, but I want to be influential and known outside the blogosphere…

Then again, political bloggers with heavy traffic tend to do a lot of outside-the-blog writing and speaking. I’ve been approached by literary agents and publishing house editors about writing a book (because of this blog!), and I’m just now at the point where I can focus on it. I’ve written a couple of very rough draft proposals, but I need to get serious.

I also like what her Language Artist site says about the future of business blogging. One of her interests is blog consulting. I like what she says about it here.

Most of us moms who blog do it because we like reaching out of our own small sphere of influence. Through writing online, we’re able to reach people around the world, bridging cultural and language gaps. I started a blog for two main reasons: one, because Stacy from Mind & Media asked if I’d join her book reviewing team, which you must have a blog with decent traffic to do. And the second is because I got tired of emailing people the same stories over and over. Although I don’t use my blog as an online journal, it still helps my family and friends see what I’m up to. (I actually do have a life outside of changing diapers and wiping up spilled juice, see?)

Yet I’m starting to realize that I do a disservice to the whole profession of writing when I spend hours and hours of my time to write for somebody else for free or for low pay. My personal blog is one thing — I enjoy posting whatever’s on my mind here — and I’ll continue to do so. But if I’m working hard for someone else, I’m not going to write for free or for peanuts anymore — unless I choose to do so.

So, for one thing, people keep sending me books to review that I haven’t asked for, and I’m sorry, but I’m just not going to write reviews unless I receive an assignment from a publication. If I read a great book on my own and want to post it here, I will. If I request one of the new books offered to Mind & Media reviewers, I’ll post my review here because I’m free to post my honest opinion in my own blog. Otherwise, I’d rather write ad copy for a publisher who will pay me to write about the good points of a book. I know I can do this — why not be paid for it?

It takes time and energy to market myself and seek job opportunities that pay well — but this is what’s best for my family. If I’m going to sit at the computer and write, I’d rather be earning money that can help pay our bills or buy some things our children need (like new clothes — why do they insist on outgrowing things?)

This is my long, drawn-out version of the word “no,” which I’m going to be saying a lot more in the future. I’ll just send people the link to this post and say, “Here’s why I can’t write for you for free.” We don’t expect dentists to work on our teeth for free. We don’t expect plumbers to fix our pipes for free. So writers shouldn’t be giving away words for free either. Unless we choose to do so. (The same as some dentists will go to poor countries and do dental work as a ministry.)

Whew. No time for FlyLady talk today. I’ve got to get off the computer and get some other work done around here. Hope you have a good weekend.