It’s been a rough week. Emotionally, anyway. Work hasn’t exactly been front-and-center, but it’s probably a good thing. I sat down yesterday afternoon with all intentions of putting together an article for one of my favorite magazines. Instead, I wrote a farewell note to a dying friend, one I haven’t seen in years, but one who has been, and will remain, central in some of my sweetest memories.
Okay, so how do you work after you’ve struggled to put words like that onto paper? You just do. I wiped away tears, pushed aside thoughts, and moved forward. And surprisingly, I did get a bit done. I finished some blog posts and managed to go over a few of the taped interviews. Felt good to release the sadness, even for a few hours.
Was sent something interesting from a client of mine – Yahoo! is buying Associated Content. I’d love to believe it’s because they’re hoping to increase the quality of writing and the pay scale, but my gut tells me it’s because they want cheap SEO content. Of course. Devalue the writing and the intelligence of the readership just a little more, why not? Everyone’s doing it. Didn’t their mother’s ask them if everyone jumped off a cliff….?
For me, it’s not another nail in the coffin of my career. Yahoo! isn’t my client. My client is a smart business person who values all contributions to his or her business. This person doesn’t look for cheap help – this person looks for the right help.
I had a client respond two weeks ago to my response to their ad. They wanted my price, but wanted to “remind” me (odd, since I didn’t know this in the first place) that they are a small business with limited resources. Know what? So am I. I gave them my standard price without apology. If they want quality, they’ll call.
Seriously, I get that not everyone has the budget to pay my rates. But if you have budget constraints, say so in your ad. Give a range. Do something beyond waiting for a thousand writers to contact you before you weed them out with a “limited funds” speech. That wastes my time and ticks me off.
I can’t wait for May to be over. My earnings this month will be gutter level. But sometimes life interrupts. I think that’s okay, right? More important things like friendships and memories and connections are calling.
How was your week?
10 responses to “Friday Stuff and Ponderings”
Lori, you're a good friend to take the time to put your words on paper for your friend. I'm sure it'll give him some comfort.
Turns out, your week is just like mine.
Yesterday I made the decision to euthanize my dog today, and I have fits of tearing up. He's a great dog, and I'll miss him dearly.
That said, I had a deadline yesterday, and I have another today. So I've let myself tear up, hugged and petted him, and then gone back to work.
I'm sorta glad for the deadlines. Work is actually taking my mind off the sadness.
How do you work when life interferes? Like you said: You just do.
Ugh, what a heavy week. Good for you for staying so balanced, though. The more in control we like to be (for me, that'd be a lot), the more those life interruptions can really knock us off our game.
Hope your month finishes on a happier note.
Lori, sorry to hear about what you're going through. Your last sentence says it all: "More important things like friendships and memories and connections are calling." You might want to spend some time doing personal writing to sort out your own feelings too. Even when it's just for my eyes only, it seems to help me.
My week has been okay, but next week is looking pretty slow. Memorial Day always seems to be preceded by a workload lull, so I guess I shouldn't be surprised. In prior years, the whole month of May was a washout for me, so I'm not going to complain about one week.
Hang in there! We're all thinking about you.
Gabriella, I'm so sorry. I lost my life dog years ago in a freak accident (my fault). I cried for days. I still can't get over that I caused him pain, though one of his last acts was to lick my hand. My heart goes out to you.
I hope so too, Valerie. 🙂
Kathy, thank you. I've been writing poetry. The note yesterday was a bit of a tribute, a poem of sorts. I appreciate the thought. I need to get it on paper.
I have been surrounded by too much death and dying since February. I'm ready for some good news.
I couldn't sleep last night because I had such an unproductive week & couldn't shut the brain off.
My Mom had cataract surgery so I have been taking her to appointments, applying eye drops every 2 hours, and generally just taking care of her.
Virtual hug to you, Lori & Gabriella. This puts in perspective "a bad week."
My silver lining, though, was a client gave me another white paper assignment and expanded my work for them to include a case study. Another client agreed to a proposal for monthly ghostwritten articles. So the next few weeks are definitely picking up.
So, let's shake off the week, enjoy our weekend & start fresh on Monday. You are all amazing people!
Cathy, sorry about Mom's health issues. They ARE yours too, by proxy at least.
Sounds like next week will be much better for you. 🙂
Tough week. Next week will be better. You gave me the gift of a wonderful lunch conversation today. Thank you for your friendship.
Maura, likewise. It's wonderful finally meeting you, and finding out you're a kindred soul. 🙂
What is it about this May? All kinds of emotional trauma and dismal earnings for many of us.
Writing that letter must have been cathartic for you, Lori. Doing that may have freed up a portion of your brain that could focus a bit on work. Sometimes life is all about getting through the bad stuff.
My heart also goes out to Gabriella, too. Putting a pet down is one of the hardest decisions a person can make, since there are more variables with pets than end-of-life decisions for humans, where legal aspects apply. I had to make that decision 10 years ago for my best dog ever (no offense to my current do, who's a close second despite her cat-like independent nature). As hard as it was, there was no doubt that it was the only humane option. Had I been the one suffering needlessly, I would have wanted it to end peacefully.
Doggie Stella (aka Wagglebutt Happygirl)- one of my recent guest dogs – is having surgery/biospy tomorrow. I just hope the results are encouraging so my sister won't soon be facing the same decision Gabriella faced.
I hate summer, but can't wait for June to get here. Fresh month, fresh start.
Since I'm fresh starting out, everything is gutter level right now… 🙂