In which the universe is not benign

[desperance]

So the bank manager calls me in today, "for a chat," he says, which must be bank-managerese for an intense grilling, for I am seared on both sides, tho' still raw in the middle. The gist of our conversation was that he wants me to pay off the bulk of the overdraft; which I can see his point, because fifty per cent of annual turnover is probably not a standard model for an overdraft facility, but now is just not the time. Like, I have no money, and will not until next year. But he is kind of insistent, so I don't quite know what to do.

As witness, I went shopping to soothe my ragged soul once I got out of there, and didn't buy anything. That's how bad it was.

So I asked my three wise friends (I kept six honest serving-men, but three of them have quit), saying "what should I dooo?" - and one said "work harder" and one said "write more" and the last of them said "get lucky". Which I can do two out of the three, 'specially as they are in fact the same thing; but there's nothing I can do about the third, I never have cracked that one.

So, extra words it is: but not today. Today I am going to make pork pies. And marrow chutney. I might even do some housework or something. Though the thing about cleaning, as against cooking: nobody ever notices that you've done it, y'know? They only ever notice if you haven't. Cooking's better. *nods*

Comments

[ogre-san.livejournal.com]

Cooking, good. Sorry about all the sturm and drang.

[desayunoencama.livejournal.com]

{sends luck your way}

Hey, it can't hurt, can it?
:-)

[desayunoencama.livejournal.com]

Actually, work harder and write more are not the advice you need.

Work SMARTER and write more EFFECTIVELY is what you need.

That is, figure out where the maximum writing-income comes from and spend more time pursuing those gigs.

And if possible, find other gigs of a similar sort.

The thing to keep in mind is that it's not always the highest paying market that is the most cost-effective for you.

For instance, if it takes me 20 hours to write a story for $200 but only 2 hours to knock off a bit of erotica that will pay me $50 or $100, I'm better off spending 20 hours writing erotica and winding up with $500-1000 at the end of the day instead of $200.

This is all idealized, of course, but you can see the point I'm making; one needs to factor in ease-of-writing with the resultant payment to figure out what actually will bring in the best writing-income for you.

Also, if you're especially strapped, something that may pay less but pay it sooner may be more welcome than something that might pay more but take much longer to actually pay you for it...

[moral-vacuum.livejournal.com]

A bank manager - how delightfully retro!

[mevennen.livejournal.com]

Ack! I hate banks. Sending luck your way...

[shewhomust.livejournal.com]

As one of your less wise friends, I'd say "DON'T PANIC!" (see how large and friendly my letters are? I type them on the famously slow but generously available terminal in Stromness library!)

[desperance.livejournal.com]

Hee. I remember that very terminal! I can't remember if it was good news or bad news I picked up there, but it was definitely news.

[abserdman.livejournal.com]

You're in Stromness? Having fun in the orkneylands?

[desperance.livejournal.com]

She is indeed. As I ought to be myself, but observe me: sensibly staying at home, being thrifty. Sigh.

[abserdman.livejournal.com]

It wouldn't be being frivilous though, it would be visiting family. I know Mum would love to see you again.

[desperance.livejournal.com]

Likewise and ditto. And the plan was to go on to Shetland after, and oh, such fun would be had. But. Frivolous or familial, it still costs money, and I've got none.

[shewhomust.livejournal.com]

Hi, abserdman! Had lots of fun in Orkney, in Stromness and elsewhere, though not Stronsay. And we`did try to persuade desperance to join us, because that would have been even more fun: but for reasons given below, he wouldn't.

And now we are having fun in Shetland...

[ms-cataclysm.livejournal.com]

Sell soul to devil ? Oh no, I forgot -your cats have taken it already ...

[desperance.livejournal.com]

Yup. Pre-emptive little beasts. And I sold my body long ago (for a cheesecake recipe, since you ask). Body and soul, I am spoken for. Most unthrifty of me.

[martyn44.livejournal.com]

What's the worst he can do? Sell the house, in this market? Sell you into slavery (show him a typical pb contract and watch the blood drain from his face)

Carry on carrying on. Hell, have you added up how much interest he's charging you? You should be interviewing him!

[devonellington.wordpress.com (from livejournal.com)]

Yes, Jupiter is retrogade, and all those nasty bank people get squirrelly.

But I have faith that a wonderful offer will come in soon for you, and allow you to pay it all off and not fret.

[pogodragon.livejournal.com]

Good wishes from this direction, sadly nothing concrete or wise to offer though.

[samarcand.livejournal.com]

I read this entry in my LJ feed (I know. I am behind.) and then immediately read this. Very rarely has there been a conjunction as apropos...