I just turned down a writing assignment offered by a popular magazine. The article would have been fun to write, I knew the subject matter well and the money wasn’t bad but… I just had to say no. The timing is particularly bad: I’m quite busy this winter and I would have had only one week to write the article, including research, interviews, etc.
Those of you who freelance full time already know this: turning down work is one of the toughest things to do and it comes with its share of stress. You have to learn to prioritize and shut down the voices that tell you that there might not be more work coming after the rush you’re in, that maybe it would have taken you less time than you thought, that maybe they won’t call you again if you say no too often…
The last couple of years have been concentrated on establishing myself as a screenwriter and I have had the « luxury » of getting enough commissioned work to make a living without having to take another job. All of my projects are in the hands of serious, known producers who are confident (as producers know how to be…) that they will manage to gather the money to shoot the films, perhaps in 2006. I’ve got more commissioned work (other people’s ideas) I need to take care of in early 2006, including the development of a tv series bible.
My priority for the second part of 2006 is to manage to find some time to develop my own ideas into screenplays and perhaps, dare I say it, the beginning of a novel. I’ve got to keep this goal dangling in front of my nose like a carrot at the end of a stick and stop getting nervous when I decide to say no.
I guess it’s obvious that I wrote this post for myself and not for my readers. I’m hesitant to go public with this, since someone reading my post might change his/her mind about sending work my way.
See how insane freelancers are?
Mr. Frears, if you read this, please understand that I will always find time to work with you. M�me chose pour vous messieurs Vall�e et Podz et madame Briand.
It is tough saying no. Especially when you struggle for a long time as a freelancer, and then suddenly a lot of work comes your way. Plus, they like you, or at least know how to work with you, they give you more.
Ce que j’essaie de me dire, c’est qu’apr�s coup, je n’ai jamais regrett� d’avoir refus� un contrat. Alors que j’ai souvent regrett� d’en avoir accept�… Mais �a reste tr�s dur quand m�me.
Mais ts�, si tu continues � avoir trop de propositions comme celles-l�, envois-en par ici ;-)
Just remember how nightmarish some of your assignments were last year. I’m proud of you! :)
Nicolas, c’est dr�le, j’y ai pens�! Mais elle avait d�j� quelqu’un je crois.
J’ai eu les deux r�actions. Celle de me mordre les doigts en refusant quelque chose (parce que je n’avais pas assez de temps) et celle de le faire avec d�tachement et soulagement (parce que je n’�tais pas � l’aise avec le projet propos�).
Ultimement, je pense que Marie-Jo a tout � fait raison.
MS
Faut juste oublier l’aspect mon�taire, et le nouvel �cran qu’on aurait pu financer si on avait accept� un ou deux contrats de plus. ;-)