Okay, let’s tackle this. So Ray Lawrence has been a writer for 79 years, which is incredibly long. His experience as a published author and writer of ridiculous poetry for Life of Riley suggests he has a strong foundation in creative writing. However, his education is limited to O Levels, which might put his earning potential slightly lower than someone with a degree in English or Journalism. Still, his extensive experience and writing skills are valuable assets. Considering the UK location and his freelance nature, I'll estimate his hourly rate to be around $75, which is a reasonable rate for a writer with his experience and skills in the UK market.