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The First Time I Made Money From Writing

It was pennies on the dollar so it sucked. But now?

Ayush Banerjee

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The memory of my first earning as a writer is etched in my mind. While it wasn’t a windfall, it felt like I had struck gold amidst the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Growing up in India, I always had a flair for writing, but I viewed it more as a pastime — something I enjoyed in solitude rather than a pathway to income. Writing was my escape, a way to weave stories and share thoughts, but never did I envision it could pay the bills. The truth is, in our country, writers are often paid pennies, struggling to turn passion into profit.

Then one day, as I browsed through online platforms, I stumbled upon opportunities for freelance writing. With a mix of excitement and skepticism, I decided to jump in. After all, what did I have to lose? I picked a random topic — something mundane like the benefits of working from home — and poured my heart into the article.

Once I submitted it, I promptly forgot about it. I assumed that like many aspiring writers, I would receive no response, or worse, a polite rejection. Days later, however, I received an email that lit up my screen. They loved my piece and were willing to pay me for it.

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Ayush Banerjee
Ayush Banerjee

Written by Ayush Banerjee

A noisy serial learner, mindfulness enthusiast, creative addict, techy and political.

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