Here in Colorado, school has been out for a couple of weeks. Elsewhere in the U.S., summer vacation is fast approaching. If you're a freelancing mom or dad, it's both the best of times and the worst of times! Each morning in the summer, I wake up and have a little gratitude moment: I'm grateful for … [Read more...] about Handling summer as a freelancing parent
Freelancing
Ethical dilemma: when services cost less than you expect
Thoughts on Translation is back from a relaxing camping vacation in the deserts of Western Colorado. This vacation was completely unplugged; I didn't take my laptop or netbook and only turned my cell phone on once a day to check my office messages. In other words, a real vacation! I highly recommend … [Read more...] about Ethical dilemma: when services cost less than you expect
A freelance best practices checklist
I'll be honest; I love self-evaluation tools. When I presented a seminar on "Beyond the Basics of Freelancing" for the Northern California Translators Association last summer, I decided to create a self-evaluation tool for the attendees and we also used this checklist at a meeting of the Colorado … [Read more...] about A freelance best practices checklist
Translating official documents
Over the years, I've observed that many translators are somewhere between lukewarm and downright scornful of translating individual clients' official documents: birth certificates, educational transcripts, diplomas, drivers' licenses, you get the picture. I think that a lot of experienced … [Read more...] about Translating official documents
Wrapping up 2009
Whether you look back on 2009 as an annus horribilis or a welcome change from the status quo, it's time to take stock of the past year and move on. The nature of 2009 depends on who you ask; I've spoken with freelancers who say they've never been busier, freelancers who say that their income is … [Read more...] about Wrapping up 2009