First writing dollar

[CeriseNoire]

In the last few weeks, two short stories I submitted for publication got picked up for publication by web magazines (I'm afraid to jinx it, so I'll tell you which publishers when they are up). That means someone actually thought some of my writing was worth paying for .

Anyway, it got me thinking. What did you do with your very first writing dollar? Did you just spend it like any other money? Did you frame it, eat it, have it grafted to your forehead? I'm curious.

 

[drksideofthemoon]

In the last few weeks, two short stories I submitted for publication got picked up for publication by web magazines (I'm afraid to jinx it, so I'll tell you which publishers when they are up). That means someone actually thought some of my writing was worth paying for .

Anyway, it got me thinking. What did you do with your very first writing dollar? Did you just spend it like any other money? Did you frame it, eat it, have it grafted to your forehead? I'm curious.

I gave it back to Lit....(my two winning monthly contest stories). I have no interest in writing for pay...it would just turn something I love to do into work...So, I'd sooner write for nothing and just be carefree...

 

[rgraham666]

Since I was payed on line, I transfered it from PayPal to my bank account.

And then I used it to buy alcohol.

 

[Penelope Street]

My first writing check I contributed to a worthy cause.

 

[Selena_Kitt]

I gave it back to Lit....(my two winning monthly contest stories). I have no interest in writing for pay...it would just turn something I love to do into work...So, I'd sooner write for nothing and just be carefree...

I'm beginning to realize how wise you are, oh sage cowboy!

 

[CeriseNoire]

I gave it back to Lit....(my two winning monthly contest stories). I have no interest in writing for pay...it would just turn something I love to do into work...So, I'd sooner write for nothing and just be carefree...

I don't intend to make it a career, besides, I already have a job. I guess it's just vanity , but it's nice to know that someone out there thinks something I created is worth paying for.

 

[rgraham666]

I'm hoping someday to equal what I get in disability with sales of my writing.

As that disability is approx $8,000 Cdn it shouldn't be difficult.

 

[carsonshepherd]

I took my best friend, OhMissScarlett, out for dinner and a movie. I probably blew the rest on booze.

 

[Belegon]

I took my best friend, OhMissScarlett, out for dinner and a movie. I probably blew the rest on booze.

Good to know where my money went...

I cashed the check, but took a color photocopy first...and put the money back into writing via promo and equipment. Like what I'm doing here.

Hey Carson... want a Torquere luggage tag? They are giving them away here. Your pub is starting a more "traditional" line... I may submit to them so I can say that we're published together

 

[carsonshepherd]

Good to know where my money went...

I cashed the check, but took a color photocopy first...and put the money back into writing via promo and equipment. Like what I'm doing here.

Hey Carson... want a Torquere luggage tag? They are giving them away here. Your pub is starting a more "traditional" line... I may submit to them so I can say that we're published together

Yes I'd love a luggage tag. Rest assured Scarlett and I had a swell time. My last royalties check, incidentally, paid my overdue electric bill.
I'm writing a new story I may try to get published. Mostly because I'm broke.

 

[cantdog]

My first writing dollar is long gone, but I remember it as a calculated insult. Long story. I'm afraid I paid more attention to the first money I made as a graphic artist.

 

[dr_mabeuse]

I lost it. I was going to frame it but thank God I lost it before I ever got a chance to embarrass myself with that.

 

[drksideofthemoon]

I don't intend to make it a career, besides, I already have a job. I guess it's just vanity , but it's nice to know that someone out there thinks something I created is worth paying for.

For me, it's enough to know that I touched someone, made them think or remember.

 

[CeriseNoire]

For me, it's enough to know that I touched someone, made them think or remember.

What can I say, I'm young. I need the ego stroke. Though I have to say I was probably more excited when I got my first positive feedback email (well unless I count the invite for mutual masturbation -- that was creepy).

 

[drksideofthemoon]

What can I say, I'm young. I need the ego stroke. Though I have to say I was probably more excited when I got my first positive feedback email (well unless I count the invite for mutual masturbation -- that was creepy).

Hey, that was me with the invite...LOL...just kidding.

We all need to know that we are on the right track. You'll probably remember that first positive feedback long after you first dollar has been spent and forgotten.

 

[Boxlicker101]

The first dollar I ever made from writing was payment for writing an essay for some other kid. He got an "A+" on it, and it went up on the bulletin board, and I got a kick out of that. A lot of other kids suspected I had written, but nobody said anything. I spent the money on candy, I suppose.

 

[MrsDeathlynx]

Personally I'd frame the dollar along with a printed out version of at least the front page or something to show where the dollar came from, but then again I tend to be cheesy like that, lol.

 

[buxxxom]

The first and only money I have earned from writing came from a guy in my homeroom class in high school. He decided in the early days that he'd ask someone in his homeroom to write all his sign out notes. Because our last names were so close in the alphabet, I became his "mom" for 4 years, signing all his report cards, excuses, etc. He gave me ten bucks and his everlasting adoration. BTW, we were never caught.

Mr. Washington, I hope you're not reading this!

 

[Vermilion]

I don't know how much it is, but I'd buy myself a little something - a pendant, ring or keyring or something so that I could look at it and remember I got paid for doing something I love - that's how I plan to spend my first writing money - if and when I get any
x
V

 

[john-the-author]

My first writing dollar was in a paycheck, so it went to paying bills. I haven't sold any fiction yet, though, and that'll be a bit different: I might photocopy the check or something.

An old friend who's an SF author has something up on her bedroom door. There's a check for $0.22 of accrued royalties from a publisher and a sign that says "Stupid Publisher Tricks." I've gotten royalty checks on books that are as low as $1.26, but never $0.22. I'm kinda hoping; it'd make for a nice bit of wall hanging.

 

[john-the-author]

I completely forgot to mention:

CONGRATULATIONS, CERISE!!!!! ​

 

[CeriseNoire]

My first writing dollar was in a paycheck, so it went to paying bills. I haven't sold any fiction yet, though, and that'll be a bit different: I might photocopy the check or something.

An old friend who's an SF author has something up on her bedroom door. There's a check for $0.22 of accrued royalties from a publisher and a sign that says "Stupid Publisher Tricks." I've gotten royalty checks on books that are as low as $1.26, but never $0.22. I'm kinda hoping; it'd make for a nice bit of wall hanging.

I've been paid before for editing a translation, and for "helping" friends with papers back in college, but since this is my own original writing, it feels different.

Yeah, if I ever publish a book, I'll be expecting those tiny checks. It would be a funny thing to have around. It can go right next to my first creepy fan email.

And thanks for the congratulations

 

[rgraham666]

My first writing dollar was in a paycheck, so it went to paying bills. I haven't sold any fiction yet, though, and that'll be a bit different: I might photocopy the check or something.

An old friend who's an SF author has something up on her bedroom door. There's a check for $0.22 of accrued royalties from a publisher and a sign that says "Stupid Publisher Tricks." I've gotten royalty checks on books that are as low as $1.26, but never $0.22. I'm kinda hoping; it'd make for a nice bit of wall hanging.

Ah. Don't feel as bad now about my first royalties then. $11.53 US was my first.

 

[oggbashan]

What was my first?

I was paid for writing technical stuff for my employers and I received some royalties when the articles/books were sold elsewhere.

I was paid for writing training manuals and training course instructions.

I was paid for writing summaries of technical publications.

I was paid 100 Australian dollars for a short for their magazine - my first fiction earnings apart from a few prizes in writing competitions. But the Australian pubishers declared that the 100 Australian dollars was a prize because that saves them grief with their and my tax people. The banks in Australia and the UK made more out of that transaction than I did.

For a while I sold an advice leaflet on how to deal with the job search requirements of Unemployment Benefit offices. I made £8.30 after costs.

I was paid in pints of beer for writing other people's resumes. I was paid with bottles of wine for writing a new political party's constitution and objectives.

I still can't say that I've actually been paid for fiction, except perhaps those resumes and the stuff for the political party. Beer and wine can be expensive.

Og

 

[Jenny_Jackson]

My friend, I've read your stuff. It's great. I expect good things from you.

JJ