Source: Ian Dawson
Probably because when it comes to fiction, I am a very slow writer, and if I tried to complete 50,000 words in a month, I suspect I’d fail so badly I’d drive myself away from the notebook for a while. Still, when I see so many people hitting their wordcounts and creating something new in such a short space of time, I end up feeling a little jealous and I guess a little guilty too.
And it’s been very much in my mind this month, as it’s my first official month of being freelance – a.k.a that magical time when I will become some for of writing ninja. Needless to say, I have not been writing very much. It’s not that I haven’t been busy though, on the contrary my days have been pretty packed.
Putting together a new site for the Edinburgh Review has taken up lots of time, but I’m really happy we’ve got it up now, and that we’re planning on posting more extracts and excerpts from some of our contributors soon.
I also had the good fortune to take part in two readings this month, the first was for 4’33”, a wonderful audio magazine with lots of short stories for your listening pleasure, it was an excellent night and I was really impressed by the quality of the readers. A big thank you to Mike Wendling who runs the whole site solo and put on the cracking event for no monetary recompense.
Photo credit Neil Thomas Douglas (http://www.neilthomasdouglas.com/)
So, I haven’t exactly been setting my wourdcount on fire, but I;m hoping there’s still time for that. Still almost a third of November left after all. I just have to remember that ninjas tend to get out of bed and get down to business more often than I’d necessarily like.
Lynsey May 
Congratulations on your first month as a freelancer. I’m hoping to do the same next year. My first goal will be to finish my short story collection, which I never seem to find the time to do at the moment.
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Thank you! It’s been great so far I have to say, minus the ‘wait, what are you doing, why aren’t you working 24/7’ guilt anyway. Hope you manage to break the break next year, and get that collection finished 🙂
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Not having to get out of bed is one of the perks of being freelance. And even the Ninja Turtles were real slackers most of the time. But you’re right, real ninjas probably do need to get out of bed.
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They really were weren’t they, and they had terrible taste in pizza toppings. I still loved them though.
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Hmm…my ideal job has always been one that allows me to work from bed. (no, not that!) I like writing in bed as it has fewer distractions than the sofa.
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I do love writing in bed, I have to admit, but I find the temptation to read is stronger there than most places!
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Well done on your move to freelancing, Lynsey. Fingers crossed that it all works out for you. It’s a brave, bold move and one that deserves success.
I’m secretly hoping these good wishes bring me good kharma because I’m hoping to go freelance myself soon, though in a more editorial, proofreading type direction.
(Damn, just realised I typed that out loud!)
All the best anyway and keep up the blogs, always enjoyable.
Richard
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Aw, thanks Richard, and here are some good wishes right back at you. I’m really enjoying it so far, despite not quite meeting my writing type expectations.
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