Gunn: The final score can't be rigged. I don't care how many players you grease, that last shot always comes up a question mark. But here's the thing. You never know when you're taking it. It could be when you're duking it out with the Legion of Doom, or just crossing the street deciding where to have brunch. So you just treat it like it was up to you—the world in balance—'cause you never know when it is.

'Underneath'


The Great Write Way  

A place for Buffistas to discuss, beta and otherwise deal and dish on their non-fan fiction projects.


Liese S. - Jan 26, 2005 11:15:39 am PST #9687 of 10001
"Faded like the lilac, he thought."

unfired

I, in the other room, see nothing. His voice is even, conversational; it does not trip my triggers.

"You have two choices," he says, "Put that away, or leave." I think, perhaps candy, or something sticky, that he does not want the boy to get on the instruments. Nothing happens, the matter is over.

Later, I hear the boy whisper apologies, deep, heartfelt. Seems strange for a small matter.

It is not until night that I understand. The gun in the boy's hand, pointed at the head of my husband.

Reality unravels. Consequences, resolutions. The gun in his hand, unfired.


Allyson - Jan 26, 2005 1:52:58 pm PST #9688 of 10001
Wait, is this real-world child support, where the money goes to buy food for the kids, or MRA fantasyland child support where the women just buy Ferraris and cocaine? -Jessica

Wanted to pop in and say thanks to everyone who beta read for me, it was so generous and enjoyable.

The book thing isn't really working out. After doing some soul searching, I realized that it's pretty completely unsaleable outside of well, us.

I think I'll just do some layout and put it on a site so that anyone who is interested can read if they like, and give myself an "A" for effort.

I so appreciated the encouragement and advice found here.


Jesse - Jan 26, 2005 4:27:25 pm PST #9689 of 10001
Sometimes I trip on how happy we could be.

I know this is kind of outside the ordinary realm of this thread, but I have some questions about freelance grant writing for Susan or anyone. I have a meeting next week with a potential (likely) client, and I'm trying to figure out what to charge. A friend of mine referred me, and they know what he's charging. But I think he's selling himself short, and am tired of falling into that trap. Will they be annoyed if I say my rate is higher than his? Also, I work fast. Can I just take that into account by padding the number of hours I report, or is that totally shady? I think if I had more experience with knowing how long stuff takes me, I'd use a flat rate, but at this point, I just don't know.

Any thoughts? Thanks.


Susan W. - Jan 26, 2005 4:37:29 pm PST #9690 of 10001
Good Trouble and Righteous Fights

Jesse, I wish I could help you. I'm feeling a bit shortchanged on my current project, but took it because, frankly, I needed the money that bad. According to my 2005 Writer's Market, $100 is a high hourly rate for grant writing, $20 a low, with $50 an average. But that's going to vary based on your location, experience level, etc.

Anyone want to beta the first chapter of Anna's story to help me get it ready for a contest I've decided to enter? It's fine if it takes a few days, but I'm looking for people who'll give it a pretty careful reading and evaluate it in light of the contest's score sheet. Because while I don't really expect to final with what's only a few steps removed from a rough draft (I'm entering mostly for anonymous critique and because I'd only be competing against other Georgian, Regency, and Victorian stories instead of the entire historical subgenre), I'd sure like to score well. Good for the ego and all.


Jesse - Jan 26, 2005 4:40:07 pm PST #9691 of 10001
Sometimes I trip on how happy we could be.

According to my 2005 Writer's Market, $100 is a high hourly rate for grant writing, $20 a low, with $50 an average. But that's going to vary based on your location, experience level, etc.

That sounds right. I dunno, mostly I'm trying to figure out if I can ask for more than my friend does. Possibly, since I've literally never freelanced before (other than for said friend), I should just take the lower rate and STFU.


Betsy HP - Jan 26, 2005 4:40:52 pm PST #9692 of 10001
If I only had a brain...

Can I just take that into account by padding the number of hours I report, or is that totally shady?

That's totally shady. You can play it one of two ways: One, estimate a fixed price for the entire job and stick to it. If it takes you less time than you estimated, you profit. If it takes you more time, you lose. Two: be paid per hour, and report every hour honestly.


Susan W. - Jan 26, 2005 4:47:34 pm PST #9693 of 10001
Good Trouble and Righteous Fights

(Off to choir practice, so if I get any beta volunteers, I'll send you the stuff when I get home at 9:00ish.)


Jesse - Jan 26, 2005 4:48:06 pm PST #9694 of 10001
Sometimes I trip on how happy we could be.

OK, thanks, Betsy. I literally can't even imagine how long things take in real time anymore because I've never had a job where I didn't spend huge amounts of time screwing around, but still getting my work done in time.


erikaj - Jan 26, 2005 4:50:24 pm PST #9695 of 10001
Always Anti-fascist!

I'd be happy to, Susan, but I'm kind of out of historical practice.


Liese S. - Jan 26, 2005 4:54:37 pm PST #9696 of 10001
"Faded like the lilac, he thought."

Yeah, the fixed rate thing can screw you over, too, if the project does end up taking significantly longer than you (and your client) agreed to. Buddy of ours just ran into this with a recording project and, through his generosity, ended up screwed out of four grand.

Anyway, I dunno the going rates, but I also think it's fine for you to offer a higher rate than your friend. Just remember that they're also totally free to tell you, no, that rate is too high for them.