I was happy to see two blogs pick up my post "Is 2009 the Year of the 1099." I was proud of this post mostly because I thought the title was so darned clever (kidding), but I didn't get many comments, links or even feedback when I used the same concept to shop around some speaking engagements/radio spots.

So, perhaps it was 2009 that was the year of the Independent Contractor? Maybe it's this year.  Judging by the money I've spent this year hiring others, I am certainly doing my fair share!

What about you? Are you just biding your time until the economy picks up, or are you a die-hard contractor like me?

Today I stand to finish projects totaling a $1500 payout. In all fairness, I've been working on these since last week, but I thought the headline might grab your attention. Here is my freelance writing schedule for today (9a-3p).

• Finish a sidebar for a trade magazine ($100)
• Finish a large set of proofreading for an academic company ($700)
• Conduct an interview for a different trade magazine ($200, although I won't write this until tomorrow)
• Finish a rewrite of web articles ($360)
• Proofread some documents for a private company ($50)
• Proofread a newspaper from 12-3 via Skype ($90)

If your next question is "Where did you find those jobs?"

• Both magazines are ongoing clients that I found through freelance writing job boards.
• The academic proofreading is an ongoing client that I found through the Editorial Freelancers Association.
• The newspaper is an ongoing client that I found through freelance writing job boards.
• The web articles and company documents are recent job board findings, first time clients.

This is an honest question. I've put in some massive work weeks lately due to some issues, and I am seeing my writing suffer- typos, deadlines pushed, etc. Yet, I know some people do this regularly.

Freelance writers: does anyone out there work this much regularly?

If not, about what's your average work week (and let me know if this is your only career or your moonlight career).

Readers, I'm overwhelmed. My January resolution to earn "more, more, more" got the best of me, and I worked hard in that month to make sure my numbers were up. Now I'm in the thick of it and feeling a bit burned out. Where's the balance?

I've got a personal project going on which requires a good amount of expendable income, so I can't scale back. However, once that's over (end of Spring) I'm going to look at realigning some of my goals, and move away from the dollar signs a bit. Because, I tell you what-- right now I just want a day off!