vw, feel free to copy and paste:

Dear [girl's name],

I received your request. I am unable to provide e-mail help at this time. I have a heavy course load, am working, and the tutoring I do helps supplement my income. If you would like to start working with me as a tutor/[continue with] tutoring, please let me know.

Thanks,
Valerie

!!!

Jilli, I thought your contract was for another month. I'm totally losing track of time, here.

You know, that happened to all the writers on my old team when it was turned into what is now your team. I found out about it on our way to the Dracula thing for your birthday when I ran into one of my former officemates.

Unless it tells you you're Badger.

But as a bonus: a very fine hat.

vw, why can't you charge her the same rate you'd charge in person? Is this is a private arrangement or part of an organized tutoring service that structures things that way? Because there are certainly all kinds of people who charge for email consulting of various kinds.

I have no idea how people manage this.

I moved from the east coast to San Francisco after college without ever having been there/made any attempt to find a job before I got there. I temped. It worked out pretty well in that I never starved to death & was able to pay my rent. I couldn't do that now though I don't think. My standard o' living has changed quite a bit. I could not live in a flat with 3 or 4 other people for one thing.

(And I got a 4 on that second test. But I've got a personal bubble and stuff! My personal bubble isn't so much a bubble as a controlled access zone. The level of access varies depending on the person and how I'm feeling.)

Jilli, I thought your contract was for another month. I'm totally losing track of time, here.

Err, I'm a doofus. My contract does go for another month. ProblemChild contractor-writer leaves in a week.

The decongestants, they've eaten my braaaaiiiiinnns.

Can you contact whoever is paying you and ask if they have any suggestions, vw? Because you should be getting paid, whether you're across the desk from her or not.

I'm looking at relocating, probably in the next few weeks. Is there any point to sending my resume out now?

You might as well get started. I've seen many cover letters that said things like: "I'm moving to Atlanta Dec. 1" or "I'm currently an editor in Chicago, but I'm interested in relocating to Atlanta, where I have family."

vw, why can't you charge her the same rate you'd charge in person? Is this is a private arrangement or part of an organized tutoring service that structures things that way? Because there are certainly all kinds of people who charge for email consulting of various kinds.

See, I work for the school. I have to do the tutoring on campus to get paid. The tutoring is free for the students, so I doubt she wants to pay.

Can you contact whoever is paying you and ask if they have any suggestions, vw? Because you should be getting paid, whether you're across the desk from her or not.

Yeah, I'll probably stop by and ask Molly tomorrow.

Thanks guys! I did e-mail the girl to see if there is *any* time she could meet. We'll see what she says.

Sassy, Ginger has good advice.

Thanks for the advice. I guess I'm just afraid that people will think it's flakey, but if y'all have hired people this way before, I trust you. Now it's time to dust off the resume and figure out what to do about the last 4 months of not working.