I'm not sure what all the blocking is for Susan.?
I have tried fairly hard here in the past, made $16 on best month. The subjects I write about aren't going to be popular or boosted, that's OK with me, but truth is the vast majority of writers don't make more than a couple bucks a month.
I make more at HubPages without even writing there actively, but it isn't much either way.
I love to write when I have time, but I work full time and drive a long ways to get there, so I just keep in touch and do what can. I don't get involved in the politics of sites or people, just write what I need to express and am glad to have even 5 people read it.