I couldn't agree with you more, Dana. Earnings level is very much an individual choice and having that balance between work you can do easily and work that might be more challenging but pays more can help make a freelance writing career a joy. Like you, I started low, but have raised my rates over the years and will do so again in 2010. Not only is it a good idea to keep pace with inflation (if that's possible) but writers gain more experience every year and that's worth more to clients.

Having the same number for each aspect of the project must have been a big help with tracking, John. What did you replace that system with?

Sounds good, George. I've tried to stay away from paper, partly because I end up with the classic editor's desk - covered in reams of it. I'm toying with the idea of making more use of Evernote to keep everything digitized.

I used to have one of those master spreadsheets, Dana, but now that I'm outsourcing less I note due dates in a todo list/calendar and outsourcing details in the main income spreadsheet. It seems to work, but I'll examine it again at the end of the year. I'm also considering moving to an accounting system - have you decided which one you are going for?

That's so true, Clarisse. We've got to take our research and distill it into something that sounds authoritative yet fresh - and it can take time to develop those skills.

One of my favorite jobs ever was at a bookshop, so I know what you mean.

It's perhaps one of the reasons, Kathryn, though there are others. Where there are people who will do the same job we do for less, then it's up to us to show why we add value. There was a great post on this recently on MenwithPens.

Well, you hooked me from the title - and I love the way you explain the differences between a designer and a lemming. I agree with you that you've got to create the lifestyle you want rather than stepping into someone else's idea of it. Great, great post!
My recent post Tips for Reaching Writing Goals

I actually tried it for the first time today after reading your post, Ileane, and have bookmarked it. Thanks for the reminder about Clusty - it\'s a tool I used to use regularly and it somehow dropped off the radar.

I usually try to write posts without looking at others first, as those are more about what I am thinking. With researched pieces it can be more difficult.