J_Chemist
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 17, 2022
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- 2,191
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Learning moment. There is nothing truly "free" in this world (except for sample snaccies at the market). Someone trying to sell you something "free" is either selling you a product that lacks in quality or is trying to get one over on you in other ways.
While the latter isn't likely the case here, it's the former that's an issue. As a writer, you want to produce the highest quality work possible to get your message and story to your readers. Obviously, we all have different quality standards (as shown by the relative garbage that gets put out on a daily basis) and we also have different goals (which is why that garbage gets put out--they're writing for fun and the enjoyment of it, not money).
Sure, he may be probing for experience but he didn't specify that. Instead he wants a seat in your story as a co-author. He's provided no samples of previous work. Has no portfolio showing any success. Has no reputation attached to his account. And he has no references or any other information that could provide me, as the would be Main Author, with any reason that he might be anything more than a second face to assist with my brainstorming.
Additionally, with no samples, I have no idea what level of english he's had. He could be a person with English as a third language. If my reader-base is mainly English readers, that's a bad idea because my basic grammar alone will outclass his. The stark difference in writing ability will be apparent in chapters they write vs chapters I write, and now I'll have significantly more work because I'll need to edit their crap writing up to the proper standard.
For a new author who is struggling just to hit word counts, or someone who is looking to simply enjoy the creation of a story and doesn't mind giving up the reins a little, sure. This is an appealing offer. If this individual is able to write at a High School level in English and your own English level is pretty low in comparison, then it is also an appealing offer.
But as someone who already has a small but established reader base, has an English level above that of a typical individual, and who's seen snake oil salesmen before--this is a very "bruh" post. Unless they're on my level of writing ability, they're not useful. I'll spend more time editing their work and cleaning up their mistakes than I will producing quality chapters.
This is just my case, though. Yours might be different, as I mentioned. You might fall into the category where their skill level is above yours or you are welcoming of additional ideas and fingers in the pot of your story. Though, that means exactly what it sounds like. You are giving up control of that story, to some extent.
So yes, it's "free". As "free" as one of those chinese websites that offer you 3 "Free" items but then bait and switch you into buying 30 dollars worth of knock offs while also charging you a ridiculous amount of shipping. Items you can get off Amazon for 5 bucks from those same exact companies, just under a different name.
/yapping
