Mining for Gold in Your Kitchen Sink

I hate to say it, but I missed out on a great writing gig because I was too busy focused on what jobs might be "out there," instead of what was right under my big French nose. The truth is, if we're willing to do a bit of digging, sometimes the best writing jobs are as close as a friend, a co-worker - heck, or our very own kitchen sink.

This week my sister told me that the organization she heads has been paying someone $400 per month to write their monthly newsletter...for almost a year now! The coordinator at Literacy Volunteers, where I volunteer, told me that a part-time paid job would be available in the next few weeks (luckily, before the job's been taken). And my husband, whose clients pay thousands of dollars for his marketing and business plan advice, offered to help me with my own. Why hadn't I known about Sherie's organization's newsletter, Literacy Volunteers' upcoming job, or thought of asking for my husband's professional thoughts?

While I believe it's a good idea to strike a balance between family, friends and business, that isn't why I hadn't jumped at these opportunities. I was too busy thinking the next great thing was outside of my circle to cultivate some of the opportunities right where I was.

It's amazing how many people we already know are looking for marketing or writing/editing help - if we'll only talk with them about it.

Back in the Writing (Sofa) Groove

So long, plans for a new 4-seater sofa free of stains and filled with plump, soft clouds of cotton. Hello, used sofa with ink streaks from my favorite blue pen, with the permanent groove where I sat writing my book each day for seven months, the cushions parting like a combover every time I sat down.

I never thought sinking through sofa cushions could feel this good. It could have something to do with the fact that I'm sinking through with a computer on my lap and partially finished article up on the screen...or maybe it feels so good because instead of managing phones, answering questions, calming down angry callers, I spent the day - the day! - researching leads and new story ideas, and reading some of my favorite book passages for inspiration.

And while I'd love to sit in this spot forever, my rump is getting somewhat sore, and I have to believe - no, I know: somewhere between a hectic, paid call center job and my heavenly sofa groove, there's a place where writing meets income. Serious income. I'm talking new sofa income, writing conference income, buy-a-house-income.

I plan to find that place. I plan to find it now, to meet my first financial goal by Christmas. First stop? The submit-$100-per-day-plan is being increased to $200 per day. In addition to submitting $200 worth of articles and proposals each day, I've followed my mentor Linda's lead by charting my financial goals to keep track of progress and make sure I'm on-course.

And if I keep faith and stay on course, a new sofa isn't so far off in the future. In the meantime, the writing sofa groove isn't such a bad place to be.

Why is it Harder to Keep a Promise You've Made to Yourself

...than it is to keep one you've made to someone else?

Take my temp job, for instance. Why did I feel the need to stay late and finish up work I was doing for them, instead of going home and focusing on my own writing career? Why give in and start temping for extra pay, when I was making visible progress with writing?

One of my mentors, Julia Cameron, has a theory about this. She calls it The Test. It goes like this:

• Just when you get up the courage to quit your job, you're offered a raise.
• You're finally getting over an old crazy-making boyfriend or girlfriend, when they call out of blue wanting to get back together.
• You're making progress on your writing career when suddenly you're encouraged to get a second job to make more money.

When the tempting boyfriend, generous boss or your own self-doubt appears, you can either 1) give in and end up back where you'd started, or 2) find the courage to stick with what's right for you and show you're ready for new doors to start opening up.

I think this is especially crucial for freelancers to remember. Just because a client wants you to do more work on one of their projects, it doesn't mean you have to say yes and drop work on your personal project. There's a balance in there somewhere that I still struggle to find.

So two weeks ago, I decided to get back to what's right for me and gave notice at my temp job. The company tried to get me to stay through November, but despite their multiple offers to pay me more, to let me work less hours, to let me write AT WORK, for once in my spineless life I didn't cave. I didn't cave!

All I have to say is that one mega-sized door should be opening up soon. I mean, we're talking a Jack-and-the-Beanstalk sized door here. I can't wait to see what it might be.