When it comes to new projects, I have a problem.  I don’t like to say “no.”

I’m sure that a lot of people in my position have this problem.  I want to become a better writer.  I want to become a paid writer.  I want to do this kind of work full-time.

That means any time I say no to a writing project, I’m making it harder to get the writing projects I want.  The more samples of my work I produce, the more I can point at someone and say “hey – don’t you want more of that something written by this guy right here?  And wouldn’t you like to pay him something this time?”

Logically, it all makes sense.  Where I have to remind myself to be careful is in the fact that I’m not doing this full-time right now.

It means I need to learn to be a little bit more picky.  I don’t want to say no to the right projects because those are the ones that will help me get better.  I need to say no to the projects that are exciting but don’t move me forward.

I’m always asking friends to write something for one of my shows.  Many of them are very gracious and say yes.  Others say they are really sorry but they just don’t have the time right now.

That isn’t hurtful or offensive.  There is nothing wrong with having only so many hours in the day to work on something.

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