Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Pushing my buttons...

...though I suppose I should not admit that it's possible!

I've had a lousy day. A lousy two days, actually, as I have written two articles, neither of which exactly consumed me with the fiery passion of storytelling. Not because the subjects were so awful -- only one fit that description -- but because I'm sick of working for slow-paying companies, sick of agreeing to work for bottom-feeding publications that don't pay much (I've let myself be talked into a couple of those, at least one of which I'll write tomorrow, just to get it the hell over with and get the damn checks, which I need).

One thing I worry about in situations like this -- aside from the usual worries about paying bills, buying food and general survival -- is that I'm turning out crap. That adds to the frustration, and slows work way down.

Take the story I wrote yesterday as an example. At the beginning, I had no idea what I was going to say; that's actually unusual for me. It meant I had trouble coming up with a good lede, and without that I'm no better than the infinite number of monkeys who didn't write the works of Shakespeare.

Then I started to think about a biography of William Claude Dukinfield I read not long ago, and decided to try using some flowery verbiage for comedic effect. I figured I'd get a laugh out of the editor, even if she sent it back for a rewrite.

She sent me an email today: "Just got through not editing your wonderful piece...I wish you could write everything I edit, but that would surely put me out of a job, or at least reduce me to some sort of administrative role!"

Ahhh, praise! That always reduces me to the approximate state of a puppy having its belly rubbed...makes me forget all the other grief. Really.

Well, it almost makes me forget....

I'm still in a bad mood. But now I'm in a better bad mood.

Still, I wouldn't object if another selected individual or two tried a similar approach to coaxing me into a state of good cheer. Sugar is more attractive than vinegar, and all that....

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Praise is always nice. Praise AND A PAYCHECK are better. Enjoy that "belly rub".

S

deb said...

Oh pay? I had a nice big piano key job come in just before Christmas. I informed the customer that it would be definitely be finished and ready to be picked up by this past Monday. I called his shop on Saturday and left a message about arranging a convenient pick up time, either Monday or Tuesday. Got a message from him on my machine. He left town on Sunday night and won't be back until NEXT Sunday...gee, sorry for the inconvenience. [grumble]

deb said...

"it would be definitely be....."
Huh? My English left me!

GoGo said...

Hey!!! How do I follow your blog?? I want to reconnect with all of my JS favs!!!

Happy New Year...

xoxo,
Gogo

Dorrie said...

Scribby, add the "follow this blog" gadget in your journal, then people can connect easier. AND, you can click on our "follow this blog" link and you get all our updates *wink*

Roz said...

I agree with lowandslow.
Roz

MrScribbler said...

Dorrie -- I just checked, and to add "follow this blog," I have to give up my Whatsername layout, which I love, and use one Blogspot supplies. Ain't gonna do that, no-how!

I'll send the Blogspot peeps a note. If there's a different way -- or they adjust things so I don't have to kill off my "look," I'll do it....

fitzgerald said...

Hey Scribs, I think you can modify one of the new layouts to look like your old one. But if you do make the change you are going to like it.

The new layouts are very easy to change and add things to the side bar.

Dorrie said...

when I have time, after my arrival to the States, maybe I can readjust your layout. I will surely try!!

Sammi said...

Happy New Year, Scribbs...

becomingkate said...

Happy New Year! I hope 2009 brings you many, many GOOD days! *hugs*