Comments on: Thump, Thump, Thump

By: Lori

Lori — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 18:22:18 +0000

That would be "Mucinex." Obviously, I've been hitting the hot toddies again. 😉

By: Lori

Lori — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 13:28:32 +0000

Same reason I'll occasionally scour Craig's List, Kathy - there may be something useful there. Glad your January's starting out like mine.

Paula, I'd talk via phone to your editor at that quarterly. Just ask since it's been bumped and could be eons before you see the check if they could make an exception and send it now. It doesn't hurt to ask. As you said, it doesn't seem fair to have to wait because of someone else's schedule.

Amie, I hope you're feeling better, too. I just discovered MAXIMUM-strength Mucines with a cough suppressant. I slept like a baby last night! And I've started the nasal irrigation again - this time with a little salt in the water to dry things up.

By: Amie

Amie — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 02:50:45 +0000

Feel better…I myself am dealing with a lingering cough from the sinus infection I battled last week. Tis the season, I guess.

By: Paula

Paula — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 22:19:12 +0000

Well, I got two checks today. And they were the most recently invoiced. One was the one mentioned above, that was supposed to have been sent last week. It was!

The other two are still late. One is for a place that *says* they pay within 30 days of publication (I hate pay on pubs, but there still are a few out there), but admit it's usually more like 45 days. Add in time for the mail, and there better be a check this week.

The other is stalled because it's a quarterly magazine (another pay on pub) that bumped my article from Winter to Summer.... I have sent casual reminders. It doesn't seem fair that my payment is taking so long because the article was bumped due to their award-winning photographer's schedule. They will get another notice.

By: Irreverent Freelancer

Irreverent Freelancer — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 21:06:42 +0000

My January is actually off to a great start. My behind-on-payment client finally got caught up so I'm able to proceed (with caution) on monthly work for them. Plus, I secured a math writing job that will pay (if all goes according to contract) three times or more what I usually make for the same type of work. And I secured it through Craigslist no less. Although they're few and far between, such assignments are why I haven't entirely given up on job boards.

I'm happy to hear so many other writers are having a profitable start to 2010. Let's hope the trend continues throughout the year.

By: Lori

Lori — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 19:43:43 +0000

Lean on 'em, Paula. If you've sent invoices at regular intervals, time to whip out the "Please pay upon receipt to avoid litigation/collection." Bold it and smile as you send it. Works like a charm.

By: Paula

Paula — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 19:02:53 +0000

On January 4, I was greeted with e-mails from two editors promising new assignments, and both have come through. They're small assignments, but one is from a website that hasn't assigned much in a few months. Another friend writes for them, too, and she got a new assignment too. So the theory on new year/new budget seems on track.

I've completed a good deal of work, and have three active assignments, with inklings of more. And my first knitting blog post is up today - only one every week or so is required, enough to help get my name out to knitting publications.

On the downside, those three tardy payments are still not here. One was supposed to be sent out late last week, so I'm hoping today's mail will bring several long-awaited checks.

By: Lori

Lori — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 16:28:32 +0000

Eileen, I do a version of that, yes. It's something we've done since we were kids. It does help. Thanks. :) Fantastic news on your workload! I've got a lot going through March, but I'm always looking for more.

Devon, it's criminal what that ISP is doing to your earning potential. I'm not sure any other ISP would operate any differently, either. I see the bare minimum from nearly all service people. Yesterday's Verizon upgrade to our Tivo/TV went great - except now we don't have On Demand, no access to it, no remote, no clue. We're also missing other services. And no papers, explanation, nada. Typical for Verizon.

By: Eileen

Eileen — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 16:02:59 +0000

Oh, Lori, on the sinus infection … have you tried using a neti pot? Weird at first, but definitely worth it.

By: Eileen

Eileen — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 15:45:23 +0000

This year is starting off far better than '09. My first quarter last year was abysmal. Now I'm fully booked until the 3rd week in March, and it will be a record-breaking quarter for me. I'm hoping it lasts all year long!