A Little Help Over Here?
We did the “money” chapter in The Artist’s Way this past week. It really opened my eyes to a lot of things about how I related to money. Actually, I guess I already knew those things about me and moola, but something about my inner artist being at stake here has finally motivated me to make some changes.
See, I’m a money monk. I’m afraid money will corrupt me. So whether I have money or not, I don’t want to deal with it. If I touch it, it will ruin me. The result of this is that I do everything I can to avoid dealing with money. (A Tangent: Jim says if this was true I’d be a desert father, and I live in Wallingford, so I’m not a money monk. But you know what, even Jim isn’t right all the time! I’ve reformed a little since my college days, but I’m still a money monk, SO THERE! 
Because I don’t want to deal with money, I undervalue my skills. I consistently take “jobs” that don’t acutally pay, or if they do I insist on an under-market wage. Now sometimes I do this out of a desire to support the organization I’m working for. And sometimes I do this to avoid risk. (If you aren’t really paying me you can’t really fire if me if I suck at this.) And some of the time I’m doing this because I don’t want more than I already have — or I might just lose all moral value and become some scary consumeristic hedonist.
Regardless, most of these reasons are bad ones. This must end.
So, I’ve decided I want to make a little money. My kids are both going to be in school and the time has come. We don’t need it to get by, but a little extra would help me buy the art supplies I need, and take a class on personal essays, and fly to a conference or two. I sold some books the other day and made $100 bucks and I was over the moon. I really need some economic earning power again. But….(there’s always a but) I need to retain control of my time/schedule. I’ve waited a long time (seven years) to have my time back, and I need some flex if I want to pursue my artistic world. So I’m in the process of brainstorming what a wage + loose schedule might equal.
I have been strongly encourged by a woman I deeply respect, the insightful Rebecca Dallin, to write some articles for people who might actually pay me. (A novel concept — the last article I wrote for print promised me a gift certificate which never came, and that’s been the extent of my money making ability as an author. I think I might like to do this…I’m just not sure how to get started.
This is where you come in, dear and faithful reader, lurker, or occassional guest. Please help me generate some ideas.
1) What would you like me to write about? (Gee, I wish Rachelle would talk more about _______.) Or what have I blogged about in the past that would make a good article.
2)Where do you think I might submitt such an article?
Do let me know if you have ideas.
Thank for indulging me, lo these many posts!
Rachelle
I would love to see a collection of meditations/ reflections–like the one you had on light, seasonally based with “arrows” pointing the way to projects one could do alone or as a small group. Not step-by-step instruction, but enough to light a spark and get people motivated to try something new…artsy projects, yes, but also simple (seasonally matched) things like the idea to buy your produce at the farmers market/ plant flowers…pray for someone you truly dislike…buy GOOD groceries for the food bank.
Also, your writing about the girls is wonderfully helpful in my life. We’ve got lots of POMO theology books out there, but very few that include children…I’d love to see writing about what works AND doesn’t with the spiritual care and feeding of children. I want to do more than just take mine to Sunday School…and the old tactics just aren’t what I want to use.
Rachelle,
I think one of the topics where you have an articulate and unique voice is practicing a spirituality that is evangelical (attractive to people who dont identify themselves as Christians) without being EVANGELICAL (modern, sometimes oppressive in its “rightness”, etc)
different ways/meanings of celebrating communion.
As to means of presentation…how about writing a grant (build in some salary
of course)and starting your own magazine? Kind of a merge of Mother Earth News and Christianity today–but really actually for TODAY. E-zines are popular…but I for one hate paying for stuff I can find elsewhere online. Print media also has the advantage of being able to be intentionally placed in tactical locations, plus there’s just something about writing that you can actually hold in your hand, mull over while you drink your wine or eat your Cheerios, write on and highlight. You could start small, more like a newsletter, and see where it went. The blogsphere is full of potential contributors, and I’m sure you’d be able to compile a review board.
I don’t know how any of these magazines pay, but I could see your writing in Weavings, or The Other Side, or Leadership. On-line, maybe beliefnet?
I enjoy all your writings ,most of all the ones on gender in the church, and your personal essays on faith, the body, and family.
Your post about VBS was great (insightful, challenging, funny). A parents thoughts about nurturing your child’s spiritual instincts would be sellable (I think) and would connect with lots of people. I’m a parent has little interest in reading the products of the “children need to be taught about the faith” and the “aren’t my children so darling and spiritual” camps of writing on this topic - your post on that topic was refreshing.
I loved the catalogue of Urban Abbess tasks—-the sacred in the everyday. And I’d love to hear more about calling and how you know that you are called to/gifted for spiritual leadership.
Rachelle,
Blessings to you as you find ways to become a better steward of what God wants to give you…
I didn’t promise you a gift certificate did I? I never promise anything for an article, just the opportunity for publication!