When Writing Clients Get Stuck
September 13, 2007 by Anne Wayman
Filed under Jobs
At least four months ago I contracted to ghost a 100-page book with a 45-day deadline on a particular breed of cat. The author’s goal was a book he could sell from his website. Plans included author provided drawings, a foreword by a cat expert as well as generally helpful and fun information for people with this kind of cat or those who were thinking of getting one.
We rocked along quite nicely for awhile. The client likes my writing and was happy with the progress. Then all progress stopped completely. The promised foreword from the expert wasn’t forthcoming and neither were the drawings. I’ve gotten a couple of emails from the client apologizing and promising me material soon.
I replied to the last one alerting the client to the fact I was soon going to be starting a new project and I didn’t know what my availability would actually be. He seemed okay with that and promised to keep me posted. I haven’t heard anything.
Now, I’ve been paid for the work I’ve done so far, but the project is sort of hanging there in the back of my mind. I’m sure it’s doing the same thing in the client’s mind.
This morning I decided to take some action. Saved the existing manuscript to a new file named layout, and reformatted it to a 6 by 9 inch size, the minimum Lulu allows. I emailed the client with the information that we have about 45 pages as things stand and suggested that it might make sense to clean it up and offer it even though it isn’t exactly what he’d originally pictured.
If he goes for it in the reduced form, I’ll reduce the balance owed me. If he doesn’t, then I have no choice but to wait. What I’m hoping, however, is he‘ll take the suggestion and we can move forward and finish. I’ll let you know what happens.
Write well and often,
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Thank you, these concrete examples are extremely helpful for me to know what to expect from various situations.
You’re more than welcome… what situations have you faced or are you facing?
I am just beginning, so just a few issues with payment, nothing major. Everything has come through. But when I finish my degree, I plan to do a lot more freelancing, so advance knowledge about what to expect when dealing with clients is helpful info. Especially on big projects – getting a contract together, dealing with a lack of content coming your way, unresponsive clients, trying to get it finished and on to the next thing.
I’m in the midst of the same situation – the client is too busy to finish the project. Your suggestion was a great idea. I think I will try it!
2chey – sounds like you’re getting organized well… and in advance too… good for you… feel free to ask questions.
Angela – lol… the email I sent bounced… I used whois.net to track down his domain name and send an email to the tech contact… but who knows… I may never hear from him again… or maybe I will. Maybe you’ll have better luck. Let us know.
Good solution, Anne. I hope he goes for it, too.
It was a great thought, but with his email bouncing and no reply from the tech contact… sigh
Do you have any thoughts on good and bad reasons to use a pen name, or good and bad outcomes of using one? I’ve been thinking I should use one, but not sure if it will lead to any problems in the future… like someone not believing I wrote a piece (job interviewers).
2chey – I’ve never used one, but one of our forum members uses multiple pen names. So the answer is it really is your choice. I’ve never heard of any problems… anyone else?