Sorted …

… well, I think it’s sorted. The balance between work and play, I mean.

I had a really mad start to the week again but when I saw lovely-already-boss on Wednesday and put my once-a-week suggestion to him, he agreed that it would be better for both of us. He was worried that he was bogging me down with too much work; I was worried that I wasn’t doing it quick enough. But we both think that if I drop in once a week, on a Wednesday, then he can have work ready for me as I drop the last lot off. I also told him it was fine to give me 5 jobs at once; I just couldn’t promise to have them all back by next Wednesday.

The book I dropped back to him this week was bloomin’ brilliant. He always asks me what I think and we often agree. But he was particularly chuffed I liked this one because he’d commissioned it himself. He’d had a good feeling about it and managed to convince the senior commissioning editor to take it on. I’m glad he did because it’s a stunning book and one I’m proud to have worked on.

Wednesday I finished work by 6pm and had a nice, relaxing evening. An early night was disturbed at 1am by my brain going round in circles over the National Service book I proposed last autumn. I think it’s because lovely-already-boss also had a good feeling about my book proposal, and if the book I just delivered proved to be a good call, well … work it out.

I need to arrange some interviews for this book proposal that aren’t going to cost me a fortune. The detailed proposal I submitted was accepted in principle, but they want a couple of sample chapters before committing themselves, which is fair enough. But I don’t want to be driving all over the country interviewing people for the first 2 chapters until I get an advance. I’d love to, but I physically can’t afford it.

So I’ve asked for some firmer details and I’m going to try and get a group of people together in one or two places, or see if I can interview them by phone or by email. For now. I also have some very good friends on the case feeding me material that can be used for the samples. And I’m going to ask my dad too.

I also collected my new reading glasses on Wednesday so I’m looking forward to cracking on with the next proof-reading job.

Thursday was pretty much an admin day, with fave-activity taking up most of it. (Diary work, in case you don’t know.) I don’t have a list for March yet, as such, but March is already pretty full. I just need to keep trying out these new time slots, start times, finish times, walk times, etc, for a week or two so I know I can complete the diary with confidence and know I’ll stick to it.

On Thursday I finished by 6pm too, and well before 9pm even all of my chores were done and I was sitting twiddling my thumbs.  I like to be all done by 9pm anyway, and Thursday evening I’d even done all of the washing and all of the washing up.

At 10pm I moved upstairs, had 30 minutes play time on the computer, pre-scheduled Friday’s post, and was in bed by 11pm.

Today then I want to start the day, weather permitting, by hanging some washing out – the bed clothes. We’ve had a glorious few days and I’m hoping we have at least another day or so before the S-word arrives. It’s supposed to be here on Sunday, but you never know.

I’m going to be proof-reading the next book for much of the day, breaking in the middle to eat dinner and walk the dog. Then last work chore of the day is invoices. (Hurrah!) Once I’ve really got into the swing of this, I’m going to aim at getting up an hour earlier so I can work on Catch the Rainbow. Before I do anything else. But I want to get the 8-hour day (+ 1 hour lunch, but inc 1 hour dog walk) working first.

Tomorrow I do have an article to write, from start to finish. But it’s an easy article, and very short. I’ll also do the supermarket shopping and some household chores.

On Sunday it will be similar, but with a longer dog walk in the morning and an editing test in the afternoon before getting ready for a teatime gig in a nearby village. It’s one mate’s birthday and I’m hoping to meet a few more there too.

Y’all have a great weekend.