We're friends, so wanna write for free?

Good for you!

I have a friend who is an artist and she gets the same thing all the time.

"Since you are a friend of my brother's you can design this drawing for me right?"

"No, that will be $40."

"I don't think I want that drawing so much anymore."

I guess it depends on how good a friend they are and exactly what they're asking me to write.

Do you at least get byline credit?

Hmmm. Seems to me that your friend defines "friendship" differently than I do.

I've never had a friend insult me by asking me to do my job for nothing. When they've asked, they've offered to pay my usual rate and then it's up to me to say "That's all right" or "Thanks, when do you need it?"

I'd never consider asking a friend (or relative) without offering payment either. As I said, in my circle, that's insulting.

Good for you to remind your friend where the line is. Hope they adjust their thinking.

Julie, next time she asks if you're interested in her 'joint project' ask her if she wants to pitch in on your 'joint mortgage'.

Maybe she can paint your house.

While I completely agree that Julie's friend is stepping way out of bounds, I don't agree that there is never an appropriate situation to ask a friend to do something they can make money on for free. It depends entirely on what it is, but some things shouldn't be treated like 'just another commission.' Part of it I think is the scope of the project. I've designed tattoos for a couple of my friends. The tattoos weren't the most simple designs in the world, but I don't think any of them took longer than a couple hours to do. And while I'd have every right to charge them for it, I never have nor would I ever think to. If they wanted me to illustrate their graphic novel for no pay up front or later there'd be some gruff discussion, but it's the difference in scope. Taking up a couple hours of time I could be working on paying projects/goofing around on the internet doesn't bother me, especially if it's just an every-once-in-a-while occurrence. Things would probably change if my generosity was taken advantage of.

Shadow_Ferret said:

Do you at least get byline credit?

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Never write for a by-line, unless you hope to marry that person.

Yog's law applies to non-fiction too.

Marry what person?

The one that asks you to write for a by-line

ETA: I know it wasn't you that said it, but anyway. I should get away from the computer. It's been a long day, and my english is deteriorating...

Yeah, I'll help a friend with a business letter or something of that scope--an hour or two, polish something up because I have word skills she doesn't--but that's because I don't mind giving a friend that much of my time, and because I have no doubt whatsoever that when I need her skills, she'd gladly give me about the same.

It's especially galling when someone asks for your writing, or your writing help, when it's apparent they consider it to have no value, so of course you're happy to do it for the sake of an audience.

Not.

Maryn, who proofreads and critiques for friends

samcollie said:

Julie, next time she asks if you're interested in her 'joint project' ask her if she wants to pitch in on your 'joint mortgage'.

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Wayne K said:

Maybe she can paint your house.

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I got some nice chuckles out of these.

Don't ever write for FREE

Friends and Family will take advantage of it

They need to learn that you are getting paid.