Lana

It suddenly occurred to me that I had this venue to post about my official, shiny professional writing and clients without their realizing that it's me! Not being one to miss out on a golden opportunity for potential venting and anonymous opinion solicitation, I'm going to start posting here now and again when "certain things" pop up.

Today's "certain thing" is the client who expects you to live in a genie bottle. I have one of those. More than one, actually, but currently only the one is giving me assignments regularly. Our conversations via email go something like this:

Client: Hi! I have 29480723 more projects for you this week and I need them in three days!

Me: I can't do that in 3 days. I already have 892472 projects from you this week. If you like, I can schedule you for 908432 more projects on next week.

Client: What? Why don't you have time for all of them! [insert compliments designed to guilt me into working 20+ hours a day].

Me: I have to consider my obligations to other clients. (Other clients who also pay more, but that's another rant.)

Client: I'm not so sure that I like being a side project of yours. I like knowing that I can always get work done when I need it.

Me: I'd be happy to forward you the names of some other people I know to see if they'll accept your rates...

Client: No, no! (because client knows no one else is going to accept those rates) I want only to work with you! Are you sure you can't do any more before next week?

Me: Quite sure.

Client: Alright then, I'll email you next week!

Repeat as necessary, week after week.

Never let it be said that I'm complaining about having work and being able to pay my bills. I do appreciate that clients like my work enough to consider me a go-to resource. I just wish a little respect and understanding about the fact that I'm a person and not a writing robot came with it.