Oh, now I'll find out what I'm worth

Two really big pieces of news to report.

First, you'll notice the "Donate" button to the left here. (Over there! See?) It takes you to may Pay Pal account where, um, you can, er, ... um ... shoot me a quarter or a dollar or whatever seems fair if you enjoy what you read here. (You enjoy it, right? Right?!?)

Second, my stomach is churning because of that "Donate" button to the left here. (Yeah! That button!) Podcasters have routinely used a "Donate" button on their web sites for listeners to compensate them in some small way for whatever pleasure they receive from the podcasts. One of my favorite writers has a web site where he presents previously unpublished stories and asks readers to donate through Pay Pal for his efforts.

I'm not sure if my favorite author or those podcasters put the "Donate" button on their page and immediately get the sinking feeling that comes with anticipating that no one will actually pay for their work. I've always written what I knew people wanted to read. There wasn't any talent involved in attracting readers to game stories or features about local athletes. Essays, news tidbits ... they require me showing from flare for this type thing.

That's where the sinking feeling in my stomach comes in because ... it's one thing to read about your kid in a sports story or laugh at a story I write in an e-mail. It's another thing to read my stuff and dig into your pocket (for a credit card) because you think what I write has value.

I liked this writing business a lot more when a dopey managing editor just handed me an envelope with a paycheck in it every two weeks. (They weren't all dopey.) In those envelopes were amounts that enabled me to raise my kids, pay my bills and go out for a meal now and then.

The idea, generally, is that readers find the writers and material they want to read. So, if ... oh, say ... a writer like me attracts your eye and my work meets the standard once used to determine the cost of a newspaper or magazine, maybe you'll click that "Donate" button and offer whatever you think is reasonable compensation.

It only requires an ATM/debit card or a credit card and punching in a few numbers on the ultra-secure Pay Pal website.

People who know such things insist a blog spot only develops if the writer is patient. I figure the writer should be talented, too. At this point, four months unemployed, I'm convinced I'm lacking both.

I've never had to ask people if what I write is worth a dime ... now I'm pleased to explain that the cost of a newspaper (50 cents? $1.50?) would be a nice way to show you enjoyed the work.

Really, I've never really wanted to know for sure what people think of what I write.

That "Donate" button indicates I'm going to find out a lot about myself. I just need to be patient.

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(Contact Ted Sillanpaa at tsillanpaa1956@gmail.com)