Lori, sending you well beams, etc.

You can do TEN articles at once? I hope they're small! I can do up to three in-depth ones of about 2K each in one month, but that's a stretch. That adds up to nine interviews and a LOT of juggling to make sure the right quotes go in the right article. 🙂

Such a favor, huh Gabriella? 🙂 As for the pain-in-the-behind types, I've sworn off working for some people who are lovely but cannot organize or do their jobs correctly. I can't help them shine if they won't help themselves.

I'm wishing for a safe surgery and a speedy recovery.

On the "no" front, I say no to too-low work and projects with people who are a pain in the behind. Otherwise, my pay will be too low and my stress level too high. As I've said before, if I want high stress levels, I'll go back to practicing law. Ugh!

Funny you mention weekends. I HATE when editors offer a weekend as though they're doing you a favor!

In part, I think it's because they picture freelancers as screwing around all day and then toiling with coffee and cigarettes at 3 a.m. (That's not me, for sure!) So why not offer a weekend to a person with wacky hours?

Just yesterday, an editor made that exact offer. Duuuude, when I ask for more time, I mean during regular business hours!

And Devon, good luck handling all of that at once and under less-than idea circumstances. I might not know you, but just from reading your comments here I get the feeling you'll get everything done perfectly and on time.

I've occasionally turned down jobs that require way too much effort for the price. Once I was juggling 13 articles at the same time. Somehow I got everything done. Most of the pieces were for the same website editor, who was understanding enough to extend a few deadlines. That experience taught me my limits: No more than 10 articles at a time. (Not that I've had that many assignments at once since that time.)

Good point, Wendy. The work has to fit in, but it has to allow enough time for you to do it right. Amen to that!

If I feel it's too stressing with my workload at the moment, then I have to turn it down. Even if they're willing to pay significantly more for it. Too much stress causes too many problems and that can include not giving the quality on the job that I normally would give. I do risk getting more work from them, but I'd rather not lose them to poor quality work. That would hurt me more.

Hope the surgery goes well for you.

Maybe you should consider subcontracting part of your project? Especially since you have a surgery coming up? Good luck with the surgery!

I don't mind working harder if I get the request sooner. I do NOT, however, enjoy working holiday weekends without additional compensation just because someone's bad at planning.

Thanks, Cathy. 🙂 I hope so, too. I don't enjoy the idea of being in pain and lying around moaning. Well, moaning more than usual. LOL Good luck on the call later!