This week I learn about the importance of sleep! And food! Also how helpful an orderly work process is.
I’ve been working on a short essay for an Artists Talking artist, that hopefully next week I can expand upon in more detail – nerve-wrackingly waiting for the last draft to be approved just now.
The last commissioned essay I wrote (also waiting for final approval) had surprising flow and simplicity in the working process. I set aside four days, about 2 weeks ago, to research and write. This was an experiment to see whether i could a) work just the right number of hours so that my fee covered a decent wage, and b) work consistently on one project instead of dotting around like a mad hatter.
It worked (though we also didn’t have internet available at this time, which helped a lot with concentration). I was writing a 1000-word essay, and my fee for that is £250, unless huge amounts of extra research (= extra pay) are required. So I figured 4 days 9-5 work would give me an ok daily rate of £62.50. (Though I admit this doesnt include customer service time – eg, Skype chats, emails, invoicing). Not exactly luxurious, but still better than the profit of “minus a lot” that I detailed in last week’s post.
I planned my research on spiritualist photography, Cornelia Parker and Susan Hiller and the awesome artist that commissioned me for her catalogue; made copious notes and spider diagrams; wrote out three essay plans; pinned one to the wall; and wrote; and rewrote.
Looking back, I was also taking care of myself super-well. Eating good, healthy food at regular intervals; going to bed by 11pm; getting up around 8am; and taking breaks to get outdoors and read interesting novels. I think sleep and food are the writer’s (and artist’s) greatest weapons!
Writing my more recent essay, I was running out of food in the fridge, and didn’t want to distract myself by going for a big shop, and I wasn’t sleeping as long or as well. The essay was shorter, but took almost as long to write, in part because I was juggling several competing, small projects instead of focusing on one. Of course, freelancers have to get used to doing this, but I’m still figuring out my schedule in that regard.
Anyway, apologies for the lateness, and obviousness of this post, but I just wanted to mention that food and sleep rule!
