Communication Is Vital

In August, two writers totally blew off handing in stories for the sept/oct issue of WHY magazine. One I just didn't hear from, after repeated emails and calls, and the other apparently forgot and then decided our fee was not sufficient – two weeks after her story deadline and after submitting a signed contract. Ugh.

On a far, far happier note, all the writers submitted their stories on time and in great shape for the next issue of WHY, which goes live on January 1, 2009. In other words, it's good to be an editor today.

Note to freelance writers: Editors don't necessarily mind if you're going to be late with a story. Lord knows we half-expect it and pad our deadlines. But communication is vital. If you're running late, tell us. We get it. We're people too, after all. But looking to change contract details late in the game or dropping out of sight entirely -- even if it's due to complete embarrassment because you forgot to write the story (hey, it happens!) -- is a surefire way never to get hired again.

Long Way Down

Well, it's official... The nation is in a recession. If you're working at home, you no doubt have been feeling the pinch over the last few months. It wasn't until the day before Thanksgiving that things really hit home for me, as a freelance writer and editor. I lost a sizable client that day (what kind of client tells you he doesn't need your services anymore just before a holiday?), and I spent much of the long weekend feeling as if I were wearing a hat that was too small for my head, pondering how to replace the income lost in a market filled with an abundance of writers (many of them my friends) looking for work.

I'm optimistic, though. It's my nature. But yesterday when a well-meaning friend said to me, "Dina, you know that when a door closes, a window opens," I couldn't help but wonder how long of a way down it was to the pavement from that window.