Writing can get frustrating from time to time. Whether you are having a hard time finding paid writing gigs or you are working at home with a child, there is no doubt that this job can bring a lot of sweat and tears. It’s important to remember that you’re not alone. There are many other writers who have been in the same boat as you at some point. We all get frustrated. We all get writer’s block. Here are five inspirational quotes for writers.

1. “Any man who keeps working is not a failure. He may not be a great writer, but if he applies the old-fashioned virtues of hard, constant labor, he’ll eventually make some kind of career for himself as writer” – Ray Bradbury

2. “Beware of self-indulgence. The romance surrounding the writing profession carries several myths: that one must suffer in order to be creative; that one must be cantankerous and objectionable in order to be bright; that ego is paramount over skill; that one can rise to a level from which one can tell the reader to go to hell. These myths, if believed, can ruin you. If you believe you can make a living as a writer, you already have enough ego.” – David Brin

3. “The reason 99% of all stories written are not bought by editors is very simple. Editors never buy manuscripts that are left on the closet shelf at home.” – John Campbell

4. “There is no satisfactory explanation of style, no infallible guide to good writing, no assurance that a person who thinks clearly will be able to write clearly, no key that unlocks the door, no inflexible rules by which the young writer may steer his course. He will often find himself steering by stars that are disturbingly in motion.” – E. B. White

5. “Occasionally, there arises a writing situation where you see an alternative to what you are doing, a mad, wild gamble of a way for handling something, which may leave you looking stupid, ridiculous or brilliant -you just don’t know which. You can play it safe there, too, and proceed along the route you’d mapped out for yourself. Or you can trust your personal demon who delivered that crazy idea in the first place.”
Trust your demon. – Roger Zelazny

Being an underpaid writer can be quite frustrating. Many writers consider asking their clients for more pay. Is this really something that you should do though? Here are some things to keep in mind when asking a client for a pay raise.

How Large of a Pay Increase Do You Want?

It is important to consider how much of a pay increase you want before asking. Ideally, you should ask for no more than 8-10%. About 5% is pretty harmless, depending on the amount that you are already making. Keep in mind that it can be a good idea to gradually increase the amount of pay that you want over periods over time. Asking for too much at once can be hurtful to your chances of actually getting it.

Can You Risk Losing the Client?

Another important question to ask yourself is whether you can risk losing this client. Depending on how much you depend on them for your monthly earnings, this can really go either way. As much as we would like to think that all clients will be agreeable to a pay increase, there are many who will become offended or will simply be annoyed by the fact that you have made such a request. This leads to another very important factor to consider.

What is Your Relationship With the Client?

Before making the decision to ask for a pay raise, it is important to consider the relationship that you have with your client. If it has been on a professional level, this is not necessarily a bad thing. If the client has sent you mostly warm and friendly vibes, then asking for a pay raise may be ideal. If your client is very strict and somewhat cold, then it may not be such a good idea to ask for a pay increase unless you are willing to risk losing this client.

There are many factors which determine whether it is a good idea to ask a client for a pay raise. Before requesting an increase in pay, it is important to think about all of these things. If your gut instinct says not to do so, it is important to remember that there is a possibility that your client may turn you down. If you are making too little on the work that you are providing the client with now, it is important to remember that you can always find a new client with a fairer pay scale.

Making the decision to ask a client for more pay can be a tricky one. Although you may need to ask for enough to make ends meet, you are also at risk of losing a client. This is why it is so important to put a lot of thought into how you should ask a client for more pay. Here are some tips on how to tackle this challenging issue that many writers face.

Way to Ask

The first thing that you will need to decide is how to ask your client for more pay. This can mean the difference between sending an email, making a phone call, instant messaging, or even meeting your client face-to-face. It is important to keep in mind that you should not choose a route that causes your client to feel on the spot, such as instant messaging or on the telephone, when your client may have little time to react. Asking your client in person can be a professional option, but will also put him or her on the spot. Emailing your client is probably the best way to ask for more pay because they will have time to react to the question, and respond once they have come to a decision instead of having to immediately provide you with an answer.

How to Ask

When you ask a client for more pay, it’s important to ask in a very polite manner. Asking in a rude or demanding way is not going to increase your chances of getting a raise in pay. The best thing that you can do is keep the email short, sweet, and to the point. Let your client know that you are planning to increase your pay scale. Tell them that you are willing to compromise if you want to keep this client, even if it means that you need to remain at the same pay. Be sure to tell your client that is going to ultimately be up to them, but that a pay raise would be appreciated. If you have already come up with an amount that you plan to increase the pay to, be sure to tell your client. If you are unsure of an amount, it may be a good idea to ask how much they would be willing to increase your pay to. Leaving options open to your client is a good way to make them feel as though they are in control of the situation, which could increase the chances of you getting the increase.

Remember that when asking a client for an increase in pay, it’s a bad idea to ask for too much. It is best to avoid asking for a pay raise that is more than 5 to 10% of the amount that you already making because this may be too shocking for your client to handle. Asking for small increases, over much time, can end up to the same amount that you are hoping to earn right away and it is likely to help you keep the client that you’re working for.