Balans Arkwright
Freelance Writer
Week: January 20-24, 2025

* Publishing this Weekend
--- Commissions
--- 1. A Swell Sale at 1,598 words - Published! Click here to see it!

--- Warmups - All Publishing on Saturday night at 9pm Est!
--- 1. Calico Role Call at 1,157 words
--- 2. Collect Coin and Carry On at 1,310 words
--- 3. A Scylla Dawn at 2,057* words (*technically 1,680 words as the rest was copy and paste lyrics for a song in the story)

--- Total published words: 6,122* (*5,745)

* Additional Completed Tasks
--- Backstage
--- 1. "Warm-up Writing" Thumbnail Art
--- 2. Posty Birb Template for publications

* Ongoing Tasks
--- Writing
--- 1. Articus; 3,000 words | Keywords: size difference, muscle growth, Macro growth
--- 2. Drekhan; 1,500 words | Keywords: masculine, muscular, Divine, origin, colony, fantasy
--- 3. Slot currently Open! Contact me and let's tell your story today!

--- Editing
--- Currently Open! Show me your writing and we can make it shine!

--- Proofreading
--- Currently Open! Want a detailed, expansive, deep review of your writing? Let's talk!

--- Consultations
--- Currently Open! Book a time and let's build your story today!

--- Backstage
--- 1. Better Freelance Habits:
--- 1.1. Use Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday to complete commissions
--- 1.2. Schedule publications in advance with Posty Birb. Don't wait until day-of for publication.
--- 1.3. Do daily planning every morning; What's most important?

* Tasks for Upcoming Week
--- Complete all Ongoing Tasks!
--- Daily planner every day! Save time to complete.
--- Fulfill something on the research list, at least one thing
--- Use Posty Birb to set up publication beforehand for writing.
--- Solidify schedule: Mon, Tue, and Wed is work time, Thursday is spare tire, Friday is Weekly Review, Weekend is publication.

* Distant Tasks
--- Research:
--- Look into Kofi. Is it worth doing?
--- Themed ideas for May into August. Anything stick out to write?
--- Research publications both inside and outside of the furry community to write for:
--- 1. Use windows Notepad for keeping track of discoveries
--- 2. Reserve time in the week to explore on Google; Search up publications accepting submissions or search on Fa for communities that would want publications.
--- 3. Make notes on what exactly they're looking for. Themes? General ideas? Aspirations? Checking "About Us" pages will help.

--- FA Advertising:
--- 1. Begin this no earlier than Feb 1st
--- 2. Look into advertising on Fa; What's needed, how much is it, what kind of ads should be made, etc.
--- 3. Do research on how others advertise. What do their ads look like?
--- 4. Design ads for Fa. Recommend using commission sheet to establish the style and theme.
--- 5. Get ads running!
--- Reason to wait: I want to have a great catalogue to show people I'm dependable and trustworthy first. So that means building up the gallery and getting used to a routine before jumping into R&D for advertising. I want to be worth the advertising time if you will; People deserve that at the minimum.

* Tasks for This Week
--- Complete commissions
--- Daily planner every day! Save time to complete.
--- Fulfill something on the research list, at least one thing
--- Use Posty Birb to set up publication beforehand for writing.
--- Solidify schedule: Mon, Tue, and Wed is work time, Thursday is spare tire, Friday is Weekly Review, Weekend is publication.

* Additional Notes

Ever since I began to keep track of everything I do commission wise, I've felt comfort. In the past I always stressed out; I always felt like I wasn't doing enough. Time blindness is a thing, especially so for those like myself who show ADHD symptoms. By keeping track of what I've accomplished through daily Work Logs and weekly Reports, it's helped me anchor my mind on time. The amount of work I did has been great, but I know more must be done. But at least I don't feel like it's all work and nothing good is occurring. It's all in the books. The records don't lie. For example I didn't realize that I wrote roughly six thousand words in one week. This time one year ago I'd only have 2,200 words posted in a month. Thanks to good record keeping I can even confirm that too; I keep diaries of my life in the background and refer back to those as well.

I'm also grateful for more in life too. People are showing interest in the writing. More people have watched me and followed me, putting faith in me that I can produce. I smile more when I see my friends, for I too can bring something to the table. "I did this today," I can say. "I hope you all enjoy this new thing in the community." I realize that's my American showing; This idea that one's worth must be based on accomplishment and achievement compared to as import things like mental health, a sense of self, purpose, and where you want to go. I think it's just the record keeping reminds me to really look at what I have: The accomplishments have always been there, I just never noticed them or felt they weren't accomplishments before. The people who show support are worth just as much, I'm just not clouded by self doubts as much as I used to be. In essence life feels great because I'm keeping records that remind me that I'm doing my best, that people are putting their faith in me, and that this could honestly work.

I suppose the short and long of it is? Keep records. Double check your records. Be your own Santa and check your own Naughty and Nice lists if you will. You might be surprised at how Nice you really are. The Naughty still needs work of course! But just by having good records and record habits, you don't forget the Nice that you bring into the world too. Stay safe out there all and looking forward to future weeks!