Oh dear! Dissertation mad focus is getting in the way of sharing my potentially briliant (or more likely, jumbled) thoughts with the a-n crew. So i thought I’d post my freelance journal from my website, and also a couple of new links to articles I’ve recently had published…
Lately, I have missed having a regular blogging schedule. In particular, I’ve missed the weekly gift that the Freelance Journal set of posts gave of half an hour to think and write about what I’m doing with my life, to realign with, and to question, my goals and values, and to prepare my mind for next seven days. I absolutely credit online journalling, since the beginning of 2010, with the excavation of some of my lifelong dreams – and, in part, for the courage and energy to work towards them.
So, thoughts on life, academia and freelancing…
It’s only two weeks to go until my MA dissertation is done, bound and handed over. I loved the research phase of the project, but writing has been tough and the central arguments, vague and coagulating in my brain, are only just starting to come together now. Thankfully, I have a bunch of wonderful girlfriends – some who I’ve known for years and some, bless them, who are an amazing online support troop – who have been there, and I’m finally becoming convinced that the damn work will get done and will get done well!
Freelance-wise, September/October has so far been a pleasantly fruitful period, with one of my favourite interviews ever taking place (dare I hope it is the start of a super friendship?); my appointment as UK Managing Editor of Whitehot Magazine; a book review; and two excellent writing commissions for an independent sculptor and an Arts Council funded, artist-led exhibition – more to come on those at a later date.
On a practical note, I did plenty of down-to-earth-freelance-businesswoman type stuff, such as file my tax return; create brand spanking new sexy headed paper for quotes, invoices and suchlike; reorganised my paper financial records and folders on the Mac; and set up new Excel spreadsheets to help with calculations. I thought this worth mentioning, partly as I’m so proud to have completed these usually-annoying tasks, but also because these activities taught me about the sheer pleasure of doing useful-but-boring things as procrastinatory tool. I mean, if you’re going to practice dissertation avoidance, a few hours put towards claiming a tax refund (and then buying gorgeous new boots with the cash) must be better than watching back to back Curb Your Enthusiasm!
On a more fun, lifestylie note, I’ve been loving taking long walks, going gluten free (SO much more energy, you would not believe it, it can’t be a placebo effect, surely?), munching my organic veg delivery and watching 1999 episodes of the 1900 House with my mum in the evenings. I’ve also been ordering books like a fiend on Amazon in preparation for my first-time-in-three-years novel reading bliss out. So far, Virginia Woolf’s The Waves, Anne Lamott’s Hard Laughter, and (ahem, I’m just curious and idealistic) Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert have made the list. Recommendations much appreciated…
