The Free Content Trap Writers Always Fall Into

The other day I was walking to our neighbor’s house to let his dog out. It was noon, bright, and hot. No wind, my hands in my pockets, my thoughts somewhere else.

As I rounded the corner, I ran into another neighbor — a thick, weathered man with short black hair. He was rolling a lawnmower to the end of his driveway.

He said, “You know anyone who wants a free lawnmower?”

I stopped and contemplated his offer. A free lawnmower? “Does it work?” I said.

“Yep,” he said.

I don’t need a lawnmower — mine is less than …read more