I just sent off my test evaluation for the freelance job. I’ve been going over the review for the past hour, tweaking and wibbling and tweaking some more, and wibbling some more…

I want them to like me, to like my work, and how I handled the review. My review isn’t quite like the sample they sent me, but then, the manuscript I reviewed didn’t have the same kind of problems the sample review seemed to indicate its subject did. Maybe they’ll think I was too technical, although those were the problems the MS had. Maybe I was too nitpicky. I did ask for feedback; I hope they give it to me in lieu of just putting a big red X next to my name. Handing the evaluation in three days ahead of deadline may be a mark in my favour, though. (I didn’t want to have it lurking in my peripheral vision all weekend and then taking up another day of work on Monday, that’s all. Focus, get it done, get it out.) I’d like this job; it would fill in the cracks nicely, and I could take on work as I needed it.

I am achy and very sick, and my head feels like its stuffed with cotton soaked in rubber cement, and I officially feel wonky thanks to my sinus medication. This test has taken a lot longer than I’d scheduled for it, simply because I can’t think straight. (That and it’s the first time I’ve done one, and I’ve had to keep referring to manuals and guidelines and such, and it’s a 325 page novel. It will be much quicker next time.) As a result I haven’t done any hearthcraft writing in the past two days, so I feel panicky and behind, despite the fact that the test evaluation qualifies as paying work, and despite only needing to write 1,333 words per working day to be finished by my deadline. I am okay. Things are fine. It is the truly horrible cold talking to my inner critic and messing me up.

And on that note, I’m going to lie down on the floor to try to stop the dizziness that’s currently menacing me and my self-confidence. I feel like a wet noodle.

ETA at 4:55: Invoicing is a good thing. Except I’m so out of it that I wibbled about the format and phrasing of my regular, used-it-for-years invoice form. Someone knock me out, please.

Oh: I will hear about the job in about a month. Coincidentally, that’s when my payment for doing the test eval will arrive.