Pen for Hire
Pen for Hire
by John Hansen © 2016
These days my poet’s pen’s for hire
My muse is put on hold.
Dollar signs corrupt my work,
Smothering my inner fire.
Clients’ needs are quite diverse,
And test this writer’s skill.
Requested gigs can be obscure
But they help to pay the bills.
I look for prompts to inspire my poems,
And fiction too, of course.
But if requests are set in stone
Creative writing’s hard to force.
True written art comes from the heart
Not penned to meet demand.
It’s like a rifle shooting blanks,
What’s the point in being armed.
A poet’s blood bleeds on the page,
Portrayed by ink through quill.
But when I write for other’s needs,
It leaves me feeling ill.
Am I a whore who sells myself,
Diminishing my worth?
Or is this just a compromise
That’s preordained since birth?
When clients give me good reviews,
And request my work again,
Praising on a job well done,
Then it helps to ease the pain.
I need to find a middle ground,
Where I can meet two needs,
Writing that both pays the bills,
And sows creative seeds.
Freelance Writing
Freelance writing is also often where would-be novelists and authors turn in order to help support themselves and generate some income while they are waiting to be discovered.
It can prove to be a lucrative occupation for the lucky or persistent writer, but it can also be frustrating and lead a writer to feel as though their work lacks heart and passion, and instead of being inspired by a muse, is in fact inspired by dollars.
Even though as a freelance writer you are writing for the benefit of others, it is still possible to have a sense of pride and take fulfillment from what you write. You just need to learn how to do that, and also to find time to write for yourself and from the heart.
Now I find myself branching out and experimenting with short fiction, and thoroughly enjoying this, especially flash fiction.
I have been fortunate to have two poems made into songs and recorded. The first "On the Road to Kingdom Come" by Al Wordlaw, and the second, "If I Could Write a Love Poem" by award-winning Israeli/British singer Tally Koren.
My services increasingly in demand as a freelance writer and I have ghost-written the text for a number of children's books and educational tutorials.
It has taken me many years of searching and restlessness to realise that my life's passion is to write. It saddens me that I wasted so many years not devoting to that, but thinking positively, the experiences gained over those years are now wonderful material for my stories and poems.
I want to try to bring a new focus on poetry and try to make it appealing to a new generation of young people and those who thought they never liked or understood it before.
- The First Word – A Flash Fiction Story - January 18, 2024
- Dawns Song ~ and Twilight Serenade - December 1, 2023
- Weave Me a Story - June 15, 2023
I almost cried reading the heartbreak mood in your poem, John. Then when I read your author’s note I can tell you make it all worthwhile, for you do come from the heart, whether you write for yourself of others. Being a freelance writer and writing “on demand” should bring a sense of joy to you, for you know you can provide what others may fail to do. You are one of the finest writers I know and very versatile. So, be of good cheer, knowing that you give from the heart. Great poem, John, very expressive and emotive.
Thank you for you kind words, Phyllis, and your constant encouragement. I admit this poem is a little morose, but it just expresses feelings that I have about my work from time to time. I inevitably get over it when I have written something I see as worthwhile. All good.
I understand this completely, and in the end it is a challenge that a writer must face: to be able to write at will on any subject at all and still retain every bit of one’s creative investment. Money has never been a motive of mine, but over the years I have learned to be disciplined beyond measure. I can write 24 hours a day if need be, anything from articles on Google+, to poetry, novels or short stories. I have never once experienced writers block and everything I write must be within the parameters of my personal expectations. That how I see it. Great work John
Thanks for reading this Tony, and there is great advice within your comment. My problem is the discipline. I have no set time when I sit down to write and just fit it in between other things in my somewhat busy life. Sometimes I may have the best part of a whole day to devote to it, but on other occasions I am lucky to find half and hour in a day.
I know so many who do the freelance writing but I never have. I can imagine it would not be the same as writing from the heart, but as you say, money is money. Let’s just hope one of those writings of yours strikes gold one day John! It should. If time lasts.
Hi, Jackie. Thank you for the encouraging words about my writing. I started offering my services as a freelance writer about two years ago. Recently it has been taking up more of my time than my own creative writing, hence this poem. I have to admit that some of it is satisfying though as I have been writing poems for children’s books, speech therapy, and in teaching adults to read and write.
John, this is a heartfelt piece indeed. I can’t imagine the pressure of freelance, however, I am envious of those you have the ability to write for a living. What a gift. To have the opportunity to make anything, creatively your own, regardless of notariety, is a true blessing. Wishing you the continued flow of ink, from the heart. 🙂
Best,
Mel
Thanks for the kind words, Melissa. I am thankful to be able to make money from my writing, even if it may not be my preferred method. “The flow of ink” is a great wish you made for me.
For many I suppose trying to keep a happy balance between freelancing talent and creative inspiration can be very trying on their minds. One part of the brain screams out.” I want to be paid for my creativity” while the other for self satisfaction and accolades. I believe there is a place for both. However moderation and harmony is the key, for without it we can burn our wicks too short at both ends? Let your poetic side be a pleasant release from the too often mundane drudgery of article writing for profit as rewarding as it may appear. Keep writing John, you are a gifted writer.
Vincent, thank you for your wise and encouraging words. I will certainly keep writing.
I have been examining my process and I realized that my process is madness. But it has to occur in this crazy OCD fashion or I cannot create! This is probably why I have to have a few other jobs. Like Wallace Stevens said “I work so I can write my poetry.” Jamie
I can relate, Jamie. “Madness” is a fitting way to describe the creative process. Balancing life and writing, but you need to experience life to have the material and inspiration to write.