So much of the writing on writing here focuses on money. Your paragraph about stories bringing awareness to current problems and envisioning possible solutions is really moving. That's what first drew me to writing -- though not big social problems so much as personal ones.

The magazines help writers gain visibility. I got lucky with my first post about a "secret husband" and contribute to several magazines here but few have generated income anywhere near freelance rates. And hibernating in front of my laptop, I've been terrible at making authentic connections. But the immediacy of writing and posting and connecting directly with readers is very satisfying.