So if I wanted to send you a tip for writing this story, you would say "no, thank you" ?

I'm one of the offenders in your book, (altho my current stories have a much different CTA right now) but I will tell you that I have had very kind readers and fans supporting me generously through "coffee", and I'll happily keep snorting that caffeine as long as it comes my way.

Honestly, the best part of receiving a tip are the encouraging and kind notes that come with it. I'm sorry that those of you who refuse to "panhandle" miss out on those things. I've built some nice relationships with readers and fans because they CHOSE to reach out to me in this way. Some have even become friends. I save a lot of those notes and re-read them when I have bad writing days.

And of course, I have personally tipped writers myself, because something in their writing touched me or helped me. It always makes me SO happy to support fellow artists in small ways. Try it sometime, you might find that feeling enjoyable too.

By the way, artists of all kinds through the ages could only live because of patrons. But I'm sure you knew that, somewhere deep inside.