A little while ago, I passed up an assignment that came through one of the sites I write for. It called for a literary analysis of "Catch 22" - about 5-7 pages, APA format due in 48 hours for $20. In the notes, "I need the rough draft too." Um. No.
I'm not so naive to think high school and college students aren't buying papers online, but I'm not going to be a supplier and if my kids (who are in college) ever bought a paper online instead of writing it themselves there would be hell to pay.
Yes, someone picked up the assignment, which saddens me. The student who ordered it should know if they have ever turned in any of their own writing to that particular teacher/professor they will know that the paper is not yours. They may not be able to prove it, but they will know.
One nice thing about freelancing is that you can choose your standards. Had that paper been a $100 assignment it might have been tempting, but still. No. Since I am new to copywriting, I do write for peanuts sometimes. I accept that I'm paying my dues. I know how to live frugally, and I'm okay with that. I like that when something comes across my proverbial desk that rubs me the wrong way I have the freedom to pass without completely losing my livelihood.
Besides the moral implications of knowingly writing a high school/college paper for a student who is supposed to be learning these skills for himself/herself, the assignment would've made me maybe $2 an hour which is along the lines of indentured servitude. I'm poor and desperate, but not that poor and desperate. Already, my standards are higher than they were a few months ago.and with luck and perseverance they will creep up a little more closer and closer to a real living.
In the meantime, I'll sleep at night-- unless of course I'm up writing.
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