Thanks for sharing what I'm sure was a tough story to tell.

Sorry I'm a bit behind. I was on a plane when your story hit Lori's blog. I'm glad I didn't miss it.

Hugs to you.

Paula: I have another example of Sandra's attempted mental manipulations. A chunk of payment was due in February, around Valentine's Day. Ed and I had just been married the previous October. Her comment to me was that she and her husband considered Valentine's Day to be jejune, and — oh, by the way — her husband was having to postpone a root canal because she'd chosen to pay me! =)

Wade: Thanks for thinking that this was inspirational. I wasn't quite sure what it was!

Sharon: Thank you for this kind comment.

Lori: No, I don't remember Ed writing this particular note for me. He would often leave these types of notes in odd places, though, for me to find — in the freezer on a pack of frozen peas, on the vacuum cleaner… No, I came to return to this book when a friend asked me for the name of a good book to take to the beach. This book by Wally Lamb came to me, but I wasn't sure of the exact wording of the title. As we chatted, I just walked over and there it was — at eye level. I immediately saw the little stub of a sticky note peeking out from the top of it. Of course, I misted up at just seeing the words.
By the way, the book was "I Know This Much is True." Read it! =)

Do you remember Ed writing it for you, Nancy? Great that it appeared when you needed it to, but I'm opting to think that you were led to it.

I second Devon's comment about there being no such thing as safety, as a freelancer or an employee.

Your post brings up an issue another freelancer and I have discussed many times: The clients who assume freelancers work either to keep busy or for extra pocket change – as if it's an excuse to pay less (or not at all). As someone who's entire household income is derived from freelance writing, I can't afford to deal with people who think that way. Maybe we can add that to Ashley's list of client types to avoid.