Check Out Ronny Maye’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ronny Maye.

Hi Ronny, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start, maybe you can share how you got your start in writing with our readers?
I could answer this question in many ways but perhaps the most earnest answer in explaining how I got to where I am today is because of support. I am not one of those self-made women by any means but rather one who is the product of people who believed in me, my gift, and what I could produce, starting with my mom, Carolyn. And my Aunt Ora who was an amazing storyteller. My talent for creating stems from both of them. However, my mom, has always been a creative person. She is passionate about the arts, and a poetic mastermind herself. Writing comes naturally to me because of her influence and nurturing of what she saw in me. In my adolescent years, I filled my notebooks with short stories, poetry, etc. Eventually, I became a blogger, contributing to various online publications and curating newsletters for non-profit organizations. A good friend of mine (Nikkie) talked me into publishing on Wattpad. Another friend, Ashley Blackwell followed my work from my blogging days. She was an editor and contributing writer for Parle Magazine and brought me onto the team. That was 5 or so years ago but to this day, not only have we not met in person, she continues to mention my name for opportunities  no matter how big or small it is. Honestly, writing for Parle Magazine (shoutout to Kevin Benoit, the founder) is what solidified my career in writing, and the doors that have opened since truly have been from hard work and other people mentioning my name, sharing articles, and genuinely supporting my passion. I am where I am today because someone believes in me. Not a lot of people experience genuine support and for that I am the most grateful.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
While writing is easy because it comes naturally to me, the road has not been smooth. I started writing for free, just because I wanted to write and my voice to be heard. Huge mistake—-even when you are a novice in your career, you deserve compensation for your time, skills, and knowledge. Then came publications that took advantage of the “underdog” by not only underpaying but paying late, dodging payments, and so much more. That was a huge learning curve for me. So now, contracts are important. I also had to familiarize myself with this insane pay structure normalized in this industry. It’s a gruesome process truly in the freelance world sometimes because, with any other career or job, you know exactly when you’ll be paid for the work that you have done. It does not work that way at all in the freelance world. The entire process, from pitching to payment, can be anywhere from a few days to months. Another nuisance that has been rough to navigate is being a Black writer with an article edited by a white person. Our tones, perspectives, experiences, realities, and dialects are vastly different. There can sometimes be a “tug-of-war” to ensure your authentic self is not lost in the editing process. That was such a huge thing when places wanted to “amplify Black voices” in the wake of George Floyd and the protests. Black creators were not interested in masking our anger or emotions to be easily digested by fragile white audiences, nor were we interested in writing about trauma for low pay.

A lot of deals were left on the table. And what made that even harder was when the pandemic hit, publications closed or made budget cuts which meant freelancers were somewhat disposable. So turning down jobs was incredibly hard during that time. That was a rough time. Not to mention, you can send 50 of your absolute best pitches daily to magazines or blog sites and not hear back from a single editor. It’s a bit of a kick to the ego—but it’s how the game is played. It also makes it hard to rely on freelance writing as a full-time thing entirely. No matter how good or talented you are, it’s still unpredictable. That’s the biggest struggle for me.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a freelance writer and content creator. I have written articles on mental health, parenting, relationships, urban entertainment, plus-size fashion, and travel. Over the years, I’ve had the pleasure of interviewing very talented individuals in the Black community, such as actress Kellita Smith (The Bernie Mac Show), Grammy-winning producer the late Lashawn “Big Shiz” Daniels, and Ricky Bell of New Edition/Bell Biv DeVoe. Every single interview was a pleasure and honor.

Recently, my focus has shifted to creating and writing more about travel for plus-size and solo female and Black travelers. That, too, has been a rewarding experience.

I think what sets me apart is relatability. Many content creators or writers can focus on the result or just sell a product or experience to the audience. Not me. If it’s not something I can connect to or have a lived experience with, it’s not for me to write about. I want anyone who reads what I write to know they are getting the real deal.

Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Simply put up the price. My work is valuable, and I deserve to be paid as such. We all do. In almost every field, women are paid less than men. And Black people or other people of color are paid less than their white counterparts. So, up the price. These businesses have a budget. Figure out your worth and then add taxes to it.

My mother reinforced this logic to me as well. She did freelance projects throughout her life, and one thing she shared with me regarding her pricing was that it would make absolutely zero sense to accept a job and still not have what you need (financially) at the end of the day. Because now, you’ll have to work twice when you could have worked only once.

 

Contact Info:

• Website: Thelifeofronny.com
• Instagram: Thelifeofronny
• Other: TikTok.com/@thelifeofronny