Any type of craft that takes time deserves some type of compensation. Just because you're also a writer and claim that "you get it" and that you're OK with looking down on yourself and your work doesn't mean that others should. Writing is a respectible talent and a gift. It takes hours on hours of time and practice to hone over the years, just as any skilled craft.
Being a world class author isn't the only type of writer that should be paid. If this were the case, then there would be no magazines, no essayist, no how-to articles or blogs. The world would be a very boring and uncreative place.