Words on the Page

Busy Doing Nothing

Posted on by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Pink Cadillac by Bruce Springsteen How can a person be so busy and not have much to do? Yesterday, I did that by trying to learn new Web technology. In my attempt to get a dedicated site together where writers can gather and share ideas, I came across things with strange…

The Confident Freelancer Webinar

Posted on by lwidmer

Just three days left for you to register for The Confident Freelancer Webinar! If you haven’t done so already, please consider joining us for the all-day event. We’re open all day, and Devon and I will be present for much of it to answer questions and interact with you. Stay as long as you like/as…

Stocking the Larder

Posted on by lwidmer

What I’m reading upstairs: The Violent Bear it Away by Flannery O’ConnorWhat’s on the iPod: Ten Thousand Words by The Avett Brothers What a busy day yesterday. Devon and I have much, if not all the administrative stuff set up for our Webinar. I created a Facebook page for it, then went back and did…

Faking It: Knowing Your Limits

Posted on by lwidmer

What I’m reading downstairs: The Jungle by Upton SinclairWhat’s on the iPod: Moondance by Van Morrison Yesterday was like slogging through mud. I had one small project in the morning, then the administrative stuff for this weekend’s one-day Webinar. Hey, if you’ve not signed up, please do so. It’s 79 bucks – a cheap investment…

Narrowing the Client Focus

Posted on by lwidmer

What I’m reading downstairs: The Jungle by Upton SinclairWhat’s on the iPod: Nothing Like You by Frightened Rabbit Don’t forget to register for The Confident Freelancer seminar this Saturday from your very own computer chair! Devon Ellington and I have nine information-packed sessions for you covering fiction and nonfiction topics, plus two attendees will win…

Irish I Were Taller

Posted on by lwidmer

Quick Note: Yours truly got her wires crossed and posted the wrong link to the Webinar. This is the correct link. Devon and I would love to have you join us. Wow. Ten hours in one spot is something I usually reserve for this computer chair. But yesterday at 10 am I found a prime…

Faith, Begorrah, and Anniversaries

Posted on by lwidmer

What I’m reading upstairs: The Violent Bear It Away by Flannery O’ConnorWhat’s on the iPod: Shipping Up to Boston by Dropkick Murphys Quick Note: If you’re trying to sign up for the Webinar, we’ve moved the sign-up page because the ISP is heinous. Here’s the new link. If you have any more issues, please email…

Making It Happen

Posted on by lwidmer

What I’m reading upstairs: The Violent Bear It Away by Flannery O’ConnorWhat’s on the iPod: Hey, Hey by Dispatch Don’t forget – sign up now for the one-day Webinar hosted by Devon Ellington and yours truly! I’d love to see you there. Here’s the link. Interesting day yesterday. Because I’m awaiting approval on one project,…

The State of Freelance Mind

Posted on by lwidmer

What I’m reading upstairs: Shopgirl by Steve MartinWhat’s on the iPod: Shut Up and Let Me Go by The Ting Tings I’m getting a late start this morning. I don’t know about the rest of you, but when the time changes, it always hits me on Tuesday – not Sunday or Monday. Weird. Beware the…

Going Green

Posted on by lwidmer

What I’m reading: The Jungle by Upton SinclairWhat’s on the iPod: Fear of Falling by The Badlees Note: I’ve got a guest post up on About Freelance Writing, and I’m making an appearance on Susan Johnston’s The Urban Muse blog. Give them a visit. For some reason, I’m enjoying weekends more. Not that I don’t…

Devon Ellington

This week is insane, but it'll be good. I've got to get some materials to you today — I thew out what I worked on over the weekend because it sucked. I have to make serious headway on the play — it's due in London at the end of the month. I have to scrub the pots and clean the plant beds. i have to keep up with student work. On Wednesday, I'm attending a luncheon/Nelly Bly lecture, and in the evening, I've been invited to dinner to meet local writers. Thursday, I'm in Boston all day with the flower show, and Friday, I have a six hour round-trip drive to pick up a friend who'll be here all next week.

Somewhere in there, I have to finish the work for Confidential Job #1.

It'll be great — I just have to attack each bit in do-able doses and not get overwhelmed.

Cathy

I have been having a difficult time getting caught up since my Mom's surgery. She's had a bit of a minor setback-probably not minor to her since it involves more pain-she probably tried too much too early.

In any event, it means more caretaking and I am struggling with productivity. I sooo admire WAHMs and caregivers!

This week is a lot of phone calls for new projects, editing review of drafts, etc. so not much in the way of billable yet.

On a happy note-this weekend was gorgeous and I was able to get outside for some walking. Have a fabulous week, everyone!

Devon Ellington

Cathy — hope your mom feels better soon!

Irreverent Freelancer

Half of my weekend was spent preparing taxes. ARGH! All that remains on the federal end is checking the numbers and getting them in ink. The state and local are easy from there. Not a fun way to spend a weekend to be sure, but I'm glad it's out of the way a month earlier than usual. And I have to thank the Feds for the extra tax break on health insurance premiums this year. I hear it's a one-time deal, but it should be a permanent one.

Cathy

Thanks, Devon-she's such an overachiever, I have to slow her down. 🙂

Paula

Cathy, do you think your mom learned a valuable lesson about not pushing herself too hard? I hope she's doing better soon.

Part of my weekend was also spent on taxes. I was intrigued that the IRS now gives the option of receiving some (or most) of your refunds in Savings Bonds. I liked the idea enough to look into it. The bonds are in $50 increments, and they'll let you split your refund between bonds and a check, but like a lot of other self-employed types, on the rare occasions when I get a refund I like to put it toward the next year's taxes…I didn't see that listed as an option with the bonds. I'm curious what other freelancers think about the new option.

The rest of the weekend included crocheting some quick amigurumi Easter Bunnies, taking a nice doggie walk, making black bean soup, and rejoicing that I didn't have to work on that pesky article that had been hounding me for weeks.

As for The Jungle: That book is probably one of the reasons I don't eat meat. One of my cousins, then in college, was a science geek and loved trying to gross us out. During Easter dinner he started telling us how it was impossible to wash all of the insects and residual material from asparagus tips (he said this with relish while eating said asparagus). After dinner I handed him the copy of The Jungle that I was reading for high school and turned right to one of the book's most descriptive passages about the stockyards. Even he was grossed out – but in a cool way, he claimed. (He's now a science teacher known for using extreme experiments to hold his students' interest.)

Cathy

I love this community! 🙂

Paula-I'm not sure we can ever slow my Mom down completely. She's part of the reason I have such an independent streak. Thanks for the good wishes.

Lori

Devon, thanks for the materials. Looks great!

Side note – Nelly Bly was born in my hometown. 🙂 If you saw where I lived, you'd know how incredibly weird that is. We're pretty small.

Cathy, I'm glad your mom is feeling well enough to try. I guess she learned the hard way to take it slow. 🙂 Sounds like she's healing pretty well.

Kathy, I should be engaged in that particular form of Hell, but per usual I'm avoiding it. And I agree on the tax break – it SHOULD be permanent.

Paula, I love that the book inspired you. 🙂 I love too that the book inspired someone else. It starts out slowly, but boy, does it grab you in the second chapter!

I love it too, Cathy. 🙂

Ashley

I had a great weekend! It's spring break this week, so I have a little time to catch up on lesson plans and the research paper that's due for my class. But this weekend I went to Austin for SXSW for the first time! So much fun! Business-wise, I have several articles in the works; one I turned in on Friday, one I'll turn in later today, and another one that will get started next week after the interview.

I have missed visiting here and talking with everyone. I have recently realized I am not Superwoman and can't do quite this much and expect to keep my head above water for long. I have never looked forward to May this much in my life. But I'm doing a lot of awesome stuff, so there is a silver lining 🙂

Liz Craig

I like your including books you're reading. Gives me ideas of what to read next. I'm reading T. C. Boyle's collection of short stories, "Wild Child." He's my favorite short story writer.

Have a good day!

Lori

Thanks for the recommendation, Liz! Not that I need one more book on the shelf (okay yes, I do – I really do!), but any time a writer makes a recommendation, I pay attention.

Good seeing you here. 🙂

Lori

Ashley, it's great seeing you back. I'm glad your absence has been due to fun and work! That's always a great sign. Sounds like you had a blast in Austin. Did you see the bats? 🙂

Ashley

No, I missed them! Someone was talking about bats while I was there… maybe that's what he was referring to. The music was loud and too many people were talking at once… it's very hard to pay attention at SXSW! 🙂

Lori

We sat at that bridge until it was past dark. Those damn bats picked that ONE DAY I was in Austin to sleep in. 🙂

Ashley

Isn't that always the way? When were you in Austin? I'm sad to have missed you when I'm so close.