A Powerful Story of Struggle and Survival
I found a powerful story that captures exactly why writers give up, but also why some still fight. It is the story of a writer who gave up professional writing after 12 years of success and struggle. He began his journey at just 17, writing articles for as little as $3 and slowly increasing his rate to $26 per piece. By the age of 29, he had written countless SEO blogs, ghostwritten books, translated articles, and achieved top 10% status on Upwork, showing the heights freelance writers can still reach when persistence and skill combine.
The Collapse of a Career and the Harsh Reality
Everything changed in 2023 when his steady career fell apart. He was laid off despite his years of experience and reputation. For nine long months, he applied to more than 700 jobs across both writing and other industries, yet no stable opportunity came his way. This struggle demonstrates one of the most painful reasons why writers give up—rejection fatigue, the endless cycle of applying, waiting, and being ignored. Many writers face this burnout and begin to believe their skills no longer have value.
Debt, Depression, and Personal Loss
As if career struggles were not enough, life added more pain. His father was diagnosed with a brain tumor, and he spent all his savings on treatment. Despite his sacrifice, his father passed away. He was left broke, grieving, and nearly homeless. With depression setting in, writing became impossible, and survival became the priority. This combination of personal tragedy, debt, and career loss is a reminder that behind every statistic about why writers quit, there is a human being with struggles much deeper than low pay.
Finding Stability Beyond Freelance Work
Eventually, he made a difficult choice—he walked away from freelance writing and accepted a job at a call center. The work required 10-hour shifts and a 2-hour commute each day, but it provided something freelancing could not offer him anymore: stability and peace of mind. Over time, he even earned a promotion to work from home. For many, this represents the turning point where writers give up, not because they want to abandon writing, but because they need financial security and mental balance.
Writing on His Own Terms and a New Plan
Yet this story doesn’t end with giving up on writing completely. He decided that while client work drained him, personal projects still inspired him. His new plan is to focus on self-publishing books, starting small with the hope of eventually making a living again on his own terms. He hasn’t abandoned the identity of being a writer—he has simply shifted how and why he writes. This shift highlights an important lesson: sometimes giving up client-based freelance work doesn’t mean abandoning writing itself.
Why Writers Are Giving Up in 2025
The AI Impact on Freelance Writing
One of the biggest reasons writers are giving up today is the rapid rise of AI tools. Many low-paying freelance jobs have been replaced by automation. Clients either underpay humans or accuse them of using AI, even when their work is fully original. AI can generate text quickly, but much of it is shallow or inaccurate. Still, its presence has flooded the low-end market, making it harder for writers to compete fairly.
Burnout, Exploitation, and Scams
Alongside AI, many freelancers describe being scammed, ghosted, or underpaid by clients on platforms like Upwork. Writers now even have to pay simply to apply for jobs, and if scammed, they don’t get refunds. This has led to an industry where trust is broken, and good writers are exhausted. Burnout and exploitation are two of the most powerful reasons why writers give up.
Emotional and Mental Toll on Writers
Beyond money, the emotional toll is heavy. Writers talk about constant rejection, burnout, depression, and self-doubt. Dozens of others shared their own stories—layoffs, lowball clients, endless rejections, scams, and accusations. The industry feels hostile, and many decide it’s healthier to leave than to keep fighting.
How Writers Can Still Fight Back
Despite these challenges, some writers refuse to give up and are finding ways to adapt. A practical strategy is to self-publish books through Amazon KDP and aim for at least $400 per month to replace low-tier freelance gigs. Others choose to write for themselves first and monetize through Medium, affiliate blogs, or ebooks later. Learning SEO and marketing allows writers to bypass platforms entirely and find clients directly. Even YouTube automation has opened doors for storytellers who repurpose scripts into videos. Some writers make use of their commutes creatively, drafting novels or essays during travel time. The biggest key is building independence instead of depending entirely on freelance platforms.
The Future of Writing in an AI World
Some believe writing is dead, but the reality is more complex. Low-tier freelance work is indeed disappearing, but writing as a whole is evolving. Writers who develop niche expertise, build strong personal brands, and embrace marketing are still thriving. AI dominates speed and volume, but human storytelling, authenticity, and creativity continue to be irreplaceable. Readers crave emotional depth, perspective, and real voices—things machines still struggle to replicate. The future of writing belongs to those willing to adapt, not to those who give up.
Writers Who Step Back, Not Give Up
In the end, giving up doesn’t always mean abandoning writing completely. Many writers, like the one in this story, are stepping back from client-based freelancing but still pursuing their craft through books, personal projects, or passion-driven blogs. Instead of chasing unstable jobs, they are choosing creative freedom, even if it means slower progress. This shift shows that writing is not dead—it is changing, and writers who embrace new paths can still survive and thrive.
