Funny, as I read through your journey, I saw how you’ve grown and how you’ve weeded out what doesn’t fit anymore. You try. That’s a message so many writers need to learn. If you try, you’re doing something. Not trying is failure.

How have I reshaped? I started with the low-paying gigs to get clips. Then I moved up. Then up again. Then a few compromises to take easy work, but when it stopped feeling right, I moved on.

Right now, I ask for, and get, my fee without apology or hesitation. I’m too busy to quibble. In another market, I’d be much more willing to negotiate. But my husband said something years ago that made total sense — “If you’re too busy, you need to charge more.”

I’m trying right now to reshape again. I want to retire soon. I can’t until I can collect a decent amount of Social Security. So I have to keep earning. The thought is to put together a writing firm with specialized writing talent. When I get too much work, funnel it their way for a small referral fee for me. I can still earn, and everyone benefits. But I will vet like crazy to make sure the writers are serious pros. I have a few folks in mind.

It’s about life balance. Right now, my life is not balanced enough, and I’m stressed. That’s not why I started freelancing, and I won’t let it kill me. So the solution — the reshaping — is in the works. 🙂