Luckily I haven’t but then I’ve also seen a lot of editors come and go, as I know you have too, which is what I would hold on to. Also, having been an editor - and maybe this is what really helps- is I know that even though there may be hundreds of potential freelance writers I could hire, the number who are REALLY good, write to deadline etc are still not that many. (Ps you’re one of the good ones)
Ooey, thank you. Lifted my spirits. :) By way of solution, I decided to adopt the harder, strictly 'contract delivered and shrug off' approach with the high-horse ones; and a softer, friendlier, never-mind-the-lower-rates approach with editors I truly enjoy interacting with. Not sure that is the correct way out, but that is why I love your blog for guiding me through.
I like the term "freelance rehab". Right now, it is not much of a work-life balance issue for me -- I can, after all, take a nap in 45 degrees C heat wave. :) I feel that I need to set boundaries on another front -- what is acceptable in terms of attitude just because one of the editors is from, let me put this way, one of the top publications, and there is a sense of entitlement about commissioning and dropping -- "if not you, there will be plenty of others." Maybe that's what holds many of us back, knowing that there will be lean times too. Have you you or anyone else faced that too?
I needed this. I’m suffering through burnout right now. I’m using this freelance writing career to take my life back and my work/life balance back. I’ve worked jobs where I knew I was in call--even in a pub. They called me in when I landed in Dallas for my cousin’s wedding. I messaged them back asking them if they remembered why I took this weekend off and they remembered the conversation? I have many work experiences where I was treated like shit. It’s time to take my work life into my own hands.
Luckily I haven’t but then I’ve also seen a lot of editors come and go, as I know you have too, which is what I would hold on to. Also, having been an editor - and maybe this is what really helps- is I know that even though there may be hundreds of potential freelance writers I could hire, the number who are REALLY good, write to deadline etc are still not that many. (Ps you’re one of the good ones)
Ooey, thank you. Lifted my spirits. :) By way of solution, I decided to adopt the harder, strictly 'contract delivered and shrug off' approach with the high-horse ones; and a softer, friendlier, never-mind-the-lower-rates approach with editors I truly enjoy interacting with. Not sure that is the correct way out, but that is why I love your blog for guiding me through.
Aw thankyou! So glad it helps
I like the term "freelance rehab". Right now, it is not much of a work-life balance issue for me -- I can, after all, take a nap in 45 degrees C heat wave. :) I feel that I need to set boundaries on another front -- what is acceptable in terms of attitude just because one of the editors is from, let me put this way, one of the top publications, and there is a sense of entitlement about commissioning and dropping -- "if not you, there will be plenty of others." Maybe that's what holds many of us back, knowing that there will be lean times too. Have you you or anyone else faced that too?
I needed this. I’m suffering through burnout right now. I’m using this freelance writing career to take my life back and my work/life balance back. I’ve worked jobs where I knew I was in call--even in a pub. They called me in when I landed in Dallas for my cousin’s wedding. I messaged them back asking them if they remembered why I took this weekend off and they remembered the conversation? I have many work experiences where I was treated like shit. It’s time to take my work life into my own hands.
I’m sorry to hear this and glad you’re trying to get your balance back
Great advice! As someone who has been freelance for 12 years now I really relate.