A Blessing or a Learning Opportunity?
I just got off the phone with an editor at one of the publishing houses for which I freelance. She called to offer me a great opportunity: a regular freelance copy-editing gig for at least the next six months as they launch a new fiction series. I’d receive the manuscript of a novel each month and have two weeks to turn it around and get it turned in—about twenty-five to forty hours of work. I’m scared to say yes, because I’m nowhere near being finished with Ransome’s Crossing, which is due December 1; and then as soon as I turn that in, I have to write Love Remains and have it turned in by February 1.
I know those of you who work full-time and still find time to write are looking at that—forty hours in one month—and thinking that’s only a week’s work. Yes, it is. However, when I’m trying to get a book written in less than two months’ time, that usually saps me of all energy, takes up most of my time, and makes it hard for me to do much else.
But I’m also scared to turn down this opportunity—because even though I’ve had a lot of jobs that came to me in August and September, they all turned out to be relatively short ones, which meant they didn’t bring in much money—which means I feel like I’d be an idiot to turn down work that would guarantee a certain amount of income every month for at least the next six months—if not upwards of two years or more, depending on how long this series ends up being.
Of course, I don’t have to look too far back in my own personal history to find times when I’ve had more than one thing going on—like back in 2004 and 2005 when I was employed full-time, was working on my master’s degree, was a leader/part-time SS teacher at my church, and was an officer with ACFW, especially in 2005 when the conference was here. But I also know that one of the things I learned during that season of my life was not to overcommit myself.
So I have about fifteen or sixteen hours to decide if this offer is a blessing I’d be a fool to pass up or another one of those character-building learning opportunities God is so fond of laying at my feet to see if I’ll trip on it, step on it, or stop and see it for what it is and change direction.
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KayeDacus.com 
My initial thought from reading this post was “you need this.” Don’t know why.
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My thoughts….’cause you know you were just waiting for them! 🙂
Would it help alleviate some stress of sorts for you – knowing that you have a ‘set’ income each month that will be coming in, making it a little easier for you to relax and just write?
Does that even make any sense? I know that sometimes the added ‘pressure’ on me helps me really buckle down and FOCUS on what needs to be done and cut out the extra stuff that was hogging all my time before. I get more efficient and productive ~ and that’s a good thing!
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Okay, this is one of the first things that came to mind when I read this – in your “Community Connections” post from earlier this week, I was reading the comments and you said something in there about wanting to get work part of your life balanced – the “isolation” part, the work you must do on your own – freelance projects and writing your books. My thought was that maybe this is an opportunity being brought your way to help you get that part of your life balanced. Because it would be a set commitment each month, with the guaranteed result of a certain amount of income, perhaps that could help you get to the point were the writing/work time part of your life is more balanced/scheduled. You’d know you have at least this much work coming in, so a corresponding amount of writing time could then be blocked out. Hope I’m making sense…just my two cents’ worth. As I said on Facebook…praying for wisdom for you!
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I agree with the others. I think this sounds like an awesome opportunity. Not only does it give you income, it gives you something regular to “schedule” and might help with that.
It’s kinda like being a stay-at-home mom. (I know I know, hear me out…)
As a working mom, I think, “WOW! If I stayed at home, I’d have ALL this time to do so many things.”
But stay at home mom’s have a ton of things to do, and have to “schedule” their days, work load, cleaning, tasks and thigns to make sure everything gets done too. It’s just that you’re your own boss, which makes it easier to “cheat” and not follow the schedule.
Me? If I don’t show up for work because I don’t feel like it, I get fired. Even though I may show up late and still work, or come in on saturday or sunday… they want me to work by their schedule, not mine.
Anyway, I’m rambling… but I do think it’s a great opportunity:-)
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OK, sorry to upset the apple cart . . .
The freelance work really sounds great, but is it great for now? You’ll have about 2 months to finish Ransom’s Crossing and another 2 to write Love Remains. I would be freaking out with those commitments coming up as it is. I know you have a good handle on your writing and can juggle so much. Will taking on this new assignment conflict with or detract from with your first commitment? Remember when you where getting in your last book. Was the freelance work and other activities you were doing then creating a problem with meeting your deadline and/or interfering with the quality of your work in any direction? If not, go for it. If so, you may have already learned a lesson. Any chance they can let you in further down the road?
I know you’ll make a wise decision, Kaye. Sorry if I sound pessimistic, I’m just trying to ask some important questions (though you’ve probably gone over all of this already in your mind).
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kaye, it’s been so long since I’ve been over here, but i finally spotted your update on my blogroll and jumped on over.
I’m terrible for making such decisions too, but the advice I will offer is a few questions: Do you know you are capable of handling this with God’s help? Have you been praying for financial help? Is it fear alone that is holding you back? God doesn’t deliver fear, but we all know who does.
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I think you should do it. Based on your stories of what you’ve been able to manage in the past, I’m sure you CAN do it, even if it will be a lot of work, and these days… speaking as someone who is working only half time right now due to a lack of work (and terrified that business will get even worse), I think you are blessed to be offered a guaranteed income for the next 6 months.
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If you decide not to do it, give them my name, I’m a killer copy-editor! hehe
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My thoughts…..I KNOW you can do it. My question is do you WANT to do it? You and I have talked quite a bit about how God works and doesn’t work. IF you prayers have been for financial peace then this opportunity may very well give you that. I know you love structure and schedules and deadlines with a mix of free time in there as well. This may be your chance to achieve the balance of schedule and creativity you have been looking for.
Miss really talking with you.
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Just got off the phone with the editor. After much thought and prayer—and reading everyone’s thoughtful words of encouragement and caution—I decided to accept the “job.” One major deciding factor—I sat down and wrote out all of my monthly expenses. This job will cover my rent, cable, and phone bill every month. And then I still have water, electric, grocery, fuel, and student-loan payments to cover. Then, there’s Christmas coming up.
Sure I have an advance coming in from the new contract which will give me a huge cushion, and a few big projects to finish for another publisher in the next two months, but now I’ll actually be able to afford the trips I’ll make at Thanksgiving and Christmas as well as Christmas presents.
Thanks for all the prayers.
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Great, Kaye! I’m very excited for you.
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It’ll cover rent, cable, AND phone bills?! Girl, that is AWESOME! So excited about this opportunity for you!!
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IF it’s the max number of hours each month (40 hrs). Obviously, if it’s fewer hours, it’ll cover fewer bills.
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Sure, makes sense…but it’s great that the potential is there to help out!
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Wow…this job is a blessing for you.
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Great opportunity!
How exciting!!! Congrats!
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Kathy,
I am so happy for you! Congrats!
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