Reply #165: I make my living as a writer. Of course I understand its economy.

[mainer]

I've supported my family and sent my kids to college purely on my writing income, so I do understand the economy of creative work. It's like any other work -- except that maybe it's a little more fun than working in a factory. No, it's not like wage work, because my income relies on how many readers buy the books. As for working for free? Only the occasional short story for a charitable cause. When your work is actually worth something, you don't work for free because it means time away from your income-producing projects.

Freelancers may have to start off working for a pittance, just to build up their audience. But eventually those who find an audience will realize their work has monetary value, and they sure as hell won't give it away for free.