Ye Canna Change the Laws of Physics

When I looked back up, there was a pause in the action down below and the ball was rolling uphill toward where I stood.

AU: Not clear how this is possible with respect to gravity.

Love,

Your Copyeditor

The Bog of Eternal Stench

What I remember most about the long trek there is the overwhelming stench that sets up shop in your nostrils as soon as you approach the Jersey City exit on the turnpike. It smells like a little patch of Mexico City has been grafted onto the Garden State and you are waylaid in it.

AU: While I've never been to Mexico City, a Google search does not lead me to any links to people complaining about the smell. The smog, yes. The smell, no. Are you certain you want to diss Mexico City? Perhaps a more obvious choice would be Naples, Italy (known for its garbage problem), or Rotorua, New Zealand (known for its sulfur smell)?

Love,

Your Copyeditor

Everybody Wants You

So, as some of you may have noticed, I had an unplanned week off from blogging.

I'd like to say it was because I was interestingly ill or make some other clever or dramatic excuse to elicit comments and conversation. But the fact is, I didn't have anything to blog about. I had two back-to-back manuscripts in great condition. I ate a lot of candy and cupcakes, and it was trench warfare at my day job, but I'm not here to bitch about that. So nada y pues nada, as Papa H would say.

Today, still nada, but I have an interesting problem: Everybody wants me! I have had three offers of new work within the past eight hours, and I was already booked when I got the first offer. This may sound like idle bragging, but it really is a conundrum for me.

There was a time when I would have double- or even triple-booked myself, but I learned the tough way that this always ends in tears. Or respiratory distress. I still do have a hard time saying no to my clients and an even harder time saying no to new business from people who heard about me by word of mouth and for whom I've never worked before.

For anyone out there in business (or second business) for themselves (note use of singular "they"!), how do you handle growth? Do you have a system for keeping track of who you say yes or no to? Do you have a standard "no" memo? I feel like I have to defend my decision to turn down business, but perhaps there is an art to saying no that I haven't yet discovered. Your stories and advice are always appreciated.

Love,
Your Copyeditor