The Struggle to Write Content that Matters

I have been a member of Associated Content for years but have only recently become active in writing articles. Even now I find myself having writers block often for a few reasons, one being the upfront pay per article that I receive. If I were to receive anything near the ballpark of what I might make working per hour even as a phone customer service rep then it would probably warrant more time for me to set aside to do the thing I love the most-writing. Instead I come on here when something crosses my mind that I have to write about that I feel might help others or something I just have to get out of my system. The problem with keyword driven content is that the article is rated on keyword density instead of quality, reflection, or insight on the part of the author.

On Associated Content I see many writers who write on such obscure subjects as "How to Bake Homemade apple fritters on a single burner stove while drinking tea in Juneau, Alaska" or "How to Make a t-shirt with tabs from soda cans on a Wednesday" sure these articles may be keyword dense and may appeal to a small very select group of people, and surely it will be original but I ask must we as authors sell our souls and writing quality of content for next to nothing just to "have something published"? It seems most of the authors and writers on Associated Content who write the most number of articles concentrate more on volume than quality from my perspective. Though I am sure that these articles appeal to a very narrow demographic I guess it gets the job done as long as the writer is getting upfront payment, and pays per page view but something about this is very disturbing to me.

Perhaps I am too idealistic and believe that everyone out here should be writing from their soul, to make a difference in the world, or to communicate thoughts ideas and perspective that would otherwise go unspoken. The broad range of subject goes to show that indeed Associated Content is a reflection of the public as a whole, and anyone can write anything they desire. Somehow, my mind still comes back to the theory of what you put into this world is what you get back. If you leave your imprint on the world do you really want to leave a portfolio of life experiences like "How to Cut and Paste with a Glue Stick and Scissors"?

Some might read this and immediately take offense...to those people I apologize this article isn't mean to be offensive or elitist in any way. I understand the people come from all walks of life and share different interests, but this is my call to all artists that write on this site to just take a moment and reflect on the quality of content that you're putting out there not on the basis of the reward of monetary compensation but that you're proud of the content you produce. Just put a moment's thought into the true quality and depth of your content before you hit that submit button.