Comments on: Why Writers Need Strong Backbones

By: Lori

Lori — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 20:30:04 +0000

LOL! I like that one, Devon. I appreciate a woman with a backbone and the cajones to use it. 🙂

By: Devon Ellington

Devon Ellington — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 14:03:39 +0000

I embrace my inner bitch; every once in a while, she becomes my outer bitch. She keeps my bank account in the black. 😉

By: Lori

Lori — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 12:48:20 +0000

It's brilliant, isn't it Anne? Jake's got great ideas.

Brandi, consistent and persistent - a good way to start. It's the knowing-when-to-accept part that often trips us up.

By: Brandi

Brandi — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 22:15:13 +0000

Great tips here Lori! I have to admit I haven't tried any of them. But maybe I need to start? For me, being consistent and persistent are too ways that help me. Being clear about your expectations, honest about what you're feeling and then knowing when to accept and let it be help me too.

By: Anne Wayman

Anne Wayman — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 20:51:58 +0000

Call me bitch too and I'll wear it proudly. Learning to stand up is a process, or it was for me, and occasionally I have to remind myself.

Jake,I love that idea... here's what I can do for that amount... just love it. Thanks so much.

By: Lori

Lori — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 20:51:29 +0000

Free. Of course. 🙂

By: Jake P

Jake P — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 19:44:49 +0000

Yep! Whaddaya want your payments to be?

By: Lori

Lori — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 19:27:00 +0000

Exactly, Devon. I used that line just once on a woman who'd written "Let me know when you're able to work within our budget." She must have thought I was playing games and would leap at the chance to perform miracles for crap wages. I don't play games with my career.

Paula, good for you! Hold that sucker hostage until you get full payment.

Ashley, "bitch" is a term used by emotional manipulators to describe a woman who knows and asserts her value. If that's a bitch, sign me up.

LAST year's model, right Jake? :)

By: Jake P

Jake P — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 18:01:54 +0000

Accommodating but not a pushover. That's about it.

The other way to handle the lowball offer, if you're still inclined to work with someone, is to tell them "here's what I can do for that amount." And make it sound unappealing, like a car with manual windows, AM radio only, and no a/c. Then--this is key!--don't say anything until after they do. First one to speak loses.

By: Ashley

Ashley — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 17:23:19 +0000

You ladies are TOUGH. I love it!

I'm simply learning to say no and stand up for myself, and that's not just in the writing area. There is no one going to stand up for me if I don't do it myself. I used to be afraid that being assertive made me a bitch. I am a nice person and I intend to stay that way, but that doesn't mean that I can't be assertive, too. So I say no when I can't or don't want to, and I call people out when their behavior is not appropriate. I don't back down just to keep the peace. I'm sure this attitude comes easy for some of you, but it's been quite a journey for me.