What is the cost of being a pain in the ass? When I started my freelance business six years ago, I took whatever clients I could get. After a year or so, as my reputation grew, there was a steady stream of people asking for my help. I charged them three different rates. Some people…
If you’re fast, I’m fast. If you’re slow, I’m slow. If you’re nice, I do extra work for free. If you’re a pain, I’m expensive. Your project is the most important thing I’m working on right now. Until I start working on something else, that is. If you’re trying to save the world, I’m delighted…
I was featured in an article in The New York Times today. The point was that some people have actually felt more comfortable during the pandemic than with their lives before — a sentiment that applies, at least partially, to me. My ability to control my environment and be close to my immediate family is…
So, I’m lined up to do a consultation with this guy from Silicon Valley. He’s very well connected there, so he tells me. This is a pretty typical session for me — a 30-minute discussion of needs and publishing alternatives with an aspiring author. I typically do three of these a week. And they’re free…
I get complaints about how my advice is insensitive to certain types of humans and living things. I will not turn my advice into mush. I like it crunchy. Most of you do, too. If you don’t like it, read somebody else. Here are my responses to the complaints people have made or may be…
Here is a story that will tell you something about me. I am in my first month at a new job. I am surrounded by a few colleagues who are the smartest people I ever worked with. The conversation turns to people’s history. We come to realize that all of us have felt like a…
I am making many mistakes this year, almost continuously. It’s a good thing. I am learning two new skills right now that I am bad at. And keep in mind, I am doing these things at age 62. First off, my family received the gift of a 100-year old grand piano from a family friend….
It is that our health officials and our government can accomplish enough to allow each of us to achieve our creative goals. When you are worried every day about your job, your loved ones, your relatives, and the state of the nation and the world, it’s difficult to do anything more than cope. Consider for…
Stop reading this. If you’re home, give your family a hug. If you’re not near family, give whoever you’re living with a hug. (Ask permission first.) If you’re alone, give a friend or family member a call. If you know someone who is alone, give them a call. Even if things are difficult between you,…