I do not know many in this business that are not freelancing to supplement their income.Writers have down time in between deadlines and write articles for extra income.
Agents edit for publishers.
Ex-editorial agents that live in the 'downsized' zone, are freelancing, and agenting, and writing.
It can be a juggling act of great proportion.
All for the love of words.
In a frenzy of preparation for an upcoming conference, the result of a freelance job, and having just moved all while knowing I had a stack of things waiting to be read from clients and people from previous conferences, I was losing it. Quietly, privately, only letting family and friends know- certainly not my clients.They need to know I'm hot on the chase for their publisher or mid read in their 'hard to put down' manuscript. Right? And I usually am dear reader. But I was exhausted and had run out of gas.
And in my cry of desperation to the shepherd of my life- he led me to a 'green pasture' and gave me a day off. This is what it looked like yesterday and why I am just now writing this blog and posting it so late.
A drive across the state of North Carolina. Mountains rising against sun and clouds doing a graceful dance. On the way to a clients house to pick up some paper work I had forgotten the day before- a three hour round trip I had not planned. That's when I got permission to take a day off.
So I stopped by Lake James. Kicked my sandals off, rolled my pant legs up and walked in the 'warm as bath water' lake.
Slowly.
Picked up some lake glass. Gazed at the beauty around me, spoke to strangers and smiled at children gleefully enjoying their day off school. (not sure why no school). And on my way home, refreshed and thankful, a friend and her husband called and invited me out to dinner.After all of this, I made it in time to keep my scheduled hair appointment. (I am now a redheaded pixi). Way too short! Oh well, not worth fretting over, right?
Getting ready last night for bed, I realized I was looking forward to the next day of work, and my upcoming conference.
Folks, we need to play once in a while. It makes us better at our jobs. And since I will be working this Saturday, my day off fell in the middle of the week. Who knew! #bestdayinalongtime #unscheduledjoy
Give yourself permission to play. Schedule it. #lifeistooshortafterall
BTW: Here is a great blog about 'burnout'.
