katakatica

After a couple of really busy weeks (both work and personal-life wise), I'm currently in a coffee shop typing away and couldn't help but wonder about the title for a second. I didn't always think I would be a writer, after all - mostly because I wasn't sure I'd actually make it. I never really had a 'plan' after I'd stop travelling and working as a nanny/teacher after all (though I knew I wouldn't be able to do it forever.) I wanted to keep moving, so I wanted something flexible and well... Here I am now, freelancing. Despite everything, I don't think the flexibility is my favourite part of the job. What I love is being able to be creative. All the different games I get to work on, all the fun projects - they are... hard, in a way, because even thinking requires brains (and something I burn out easier than I'd like) but... I LOVE coming up with ideas. And... I love it when people cherish my work. A couple of times I've gotten reviews that almost made me tear up. Working on longer projects is risky (to some extent) but when someone reads through 20-30k words and just raves about it makes me realize WHY I love writing. I love being able to share my 'world' with others, to sneak a bit of the quirkiness that makes me, well, out into the open. It's taxing and hard but it's... what keeps me going. (as an addendum, I'm very obviously neuro-divergent though currently in the process of trying to get diagnosed, so for a very long time I wasn't really understood by those around me. I'm very open about this now, but I struggled a lot with anxiety/etc. because of this - I'm on the mend now but things weren't always this way!) So... with my somewhat emotional rant on what I love about writing over... what do YOU love about what you do? Not just in a freelancing sense but just in general?

I'm slowly getting into Stardew Valley - definitely nice and relaxing, though it's been a bit since I've played but might get back to it. Games also technically count as research for me which makes it... easy to play a lot tbh! I think what I like sometimes is when a game doesn't need much 'brains' - which is why I like rougelike as well as you just go and smash enemies haha. I might check No Man's Sky out!

I started out with selling my writing for 5$ per 1000 words. Now, depending on the gig, I charge $80\$150 for the same amount. I don't have 30 orders a month anymore, but I don't really need such a thing anymore (because with my much higher prices I don't need to write 100k words a month to survive. Would be cool if I could, but still! Having higher prices is a risk to some extent for sure, but if you're good at what you do, the right clientele will find you. Even if i were to lose my level I would keep my prices - having less orders (but 'better' ones in a way is the goal, for me at least!)

Back when I lived in Hungary (out of my parents' house, even) adulting seemed cheap. And then I moved out and realized that realistically, what I charged couldn't support me, especially not in a Northern country. Of course, I COULD in theory take on MORE work, but writing (and art in general) doesn't always work that way! So I've started upping my prices gradually. It's... great to earn more and feel like my work is worth MORE. Of course, there'll always be annoying clients trying to barter (and sometimes I will give in) but they seem to be more and more rare. However, what I do notice is that sometimes they are ruder than the ones I've had prior (which, to be fair, makes it good riddance!) I'm actually preparing to raise my prices before going off to Paris in a few weeks (aiming it this way so that if I happen to have a slow period, it'll be when I'm away!)

I'm getting plenty of them but maybe 1 out of 100 that's actually relevant to what I'm selling... Out of those, maybe half of them are willing to pay what I charge. BR is... a mess. I don't think I've seen anything other than the predator STILL looking for victims of (won't say what, I think it's obvious), people selling their own stuff, people wanting 100000 words for $10 in the past weeks (I check back from time to time.) It's just... not OK. I do think it COULD be fixed but... I'm not sure how.

Not everything on the Internet is only American. As far as I know Fiverr isn't even based in the US. Representation does matter in marketing of course, but I honestly don't think it's anything like that in this case. (I'm also certain ive seen people of all ethnicities and backgrounds on the pages before though I honestly don't pay that close attention to it.)

I love these topics, though I think I only have a couple of goals this time round (haven't... really thought about them!) So, to start off (because everything I say needs the backstory), 2021 was basically the start of me as an actual full-time writer, so this year is my second year truly doing what I love (and sometimes suffering from it.) Because of that, these two years have been chaotic so far (both work-wise and just in general.) But work wise, I want to... 1. Take a couple of courses on other aspects of game designs (and just in general, work on more types of games.) 2. Earn at least twice as much as I did in 2021 - so far I've earned just about the same amount as I did last year, so I think that's a realistic goal. 3. Raise my prices one more time (I've been increasing them gradually, one last time will be 'it' for me at the moment. 4. Start working on personal stuff and just in general set up my portfolio/blog the way it should have been done ages ago (no progress on this one.) 5. Set up a few more game-focused gigs (working on it!) 6. Set up a more comfortable work-station (this will be carried out after holidays. Currently figuring out the logistics of bringing my chair out here but also looking into shared office spaces for some mixing and mingling as the freelancer life gets lonely!) I think these are mostly what I hope to do for now. Personal goals I have a ton as well, but they keep shifting because things are changing so quickly! One main thing would be... learning to sleep better when it's SO DANG LIGHT outside... or finding some better curtains!)

See, it's been very... quick and easy once I actually had the appointment, but it IS quite 'cold' (though I realise a lot of that is cultural.) But... I totally agree. I'm VERY glad that if something scary happens, I CAN get help and not end up in debt that will ruin me. (which, by the way, is just heartbreaking.)

No no, you've got it right! I feel like part of it is the fact that I'm moving from Hungary (and also, a lot of things are very different here, though they ARE digitalised.) I had to get a blood test done in the hospital like, three weeks back and they just... never called back about the results. I'd have tried contacting them, but it took me five days to get an appointment (so basically, it's tricky until you're all settled in. After that it WILL be much easier.) Will try to go back in soon though (I'm hoping it was just all the public holidays/etc. going on.) It's definitely weird when Nordic countries lag behind though. Everything else is so modern so it's kind of odd! (well, everything but the karaoke bar we went to. We had to go through actual BOOKS for the songs we wanted to sing. Crazy!)

No no, you've got it right! I feel like part of it is the fact that I'm moving from Hungary (and also, a lot of things are very different here, though they ARE digitalised.) I had to get a blood test done in the hospital like, three weeks back and they just... never called back about the results. I'd have tried contacting them, but it took me five days to get an appointment (so basically, it's tricky until you're all settled in. After that it WILL be much easier.) Will try to go back in soon though (I'm hoping it was just all the public holidays/etc. going on.) It's definitely weird when Nordic countries lag behind though. Everything else is so modern so it's kind of odd! (well, everything but the karaoke bar we went to. We had to go through actual BOOKS for the songs we wanted to sing. Crazy!)

Good luck on your exams! I don't miss studying to be honest (though I'm learning languges, it's nowhere near as bad as exams used to be!) Do you plan to do anything in July? Maybe hit the beach? As an expat... I can relate to this. Getting everything sorted here has been a nighmare (and still not done! AND I'm an adult! with all of my papers already sorted out!) Hope you manage to have some fun in Madrid, though! As for the cinema room though, that looks awesome! I'd love a cosy room for reading/movies (though the living room is pretty nice luckily. With most of the rain (hopefully) gone I hope to be outside a bit more though because I fear it'll go back to winter very quickly!

I know it's late, I was busy with my birthday last weekend and then... work happened! But... it's almost tradition now and with the summer here, I'm hoping for some fun answers! So, what's happening in June that has you excited/giddy? I'll start (as always.) For small things: I found a recipe for a curry we have in restaurants a lot - this week I'll try cooking it from scratch. Ah, and I got my coldbrew tea bottle from my old place, so I am looking forward to coldbrewing tea/coffee! (it's technically also a thing but I also downloaded the old Chip'n Dale game (for the NES) and I'm about to beat it... dropping it here to kickstart the conversation about games ha!) As for big things... (drumroll!) i'm taking a whole week off for Midsummer (which, by the way, means everything is closed here, apparently, I learned something new this week!) and then... leaving for Paris! It'll only be a few days but I can't wait to go back 'home' (and go to Disney for the second time in two years! (July has more fun stuff planned, like London, watching Hamilton but... JUNE IS PARIS!) So yeah... Are you going somewhere fun? Are you just going to rest by the water back at home? (or work for hours on no end?)

I don't think Fiverr really knows/cares - unless you qualify to be a pro seller. One thing is: anyone can say anything on the Internet. You and I could post the exact same gig, claim to have the same amount of experience... I know nothing about WordPress, while you seem to be good at it! You have to PROVE yourself by having good gigs set up (and, of course, eventually, delivering awesome work.) Fiverr does try to push new sellers a bit from what I know, but it's not a guarantee.

Oooh, love the question. I speak Hungarian and English (native level), French and Italian (my writing is bleh but spoken skills are pretty good since I've lived in the countries), enough Mandarin to get by in China comfortably for the most part (and have conversations with locals!) and currently trying to study Korean and Swedish. (I can also understand Spanish for the most part but wouldn't be able to speak ha)

I'm SO curious about nori/mochi pizza! Like, curious enough to try and make it myself! Mushrooms are great - though I prefer them in stir-fries or just roasted by themselves (haven't cooked with them in ages!) On pizzas I feel we usually only have the bland canned mushrooms or a tiny hint of truffle in the sauce! I'm making 'proper' ramen next week and I might get some shiitake or enoki mushrooms depending on what I find fresh (I'm not sure how well they go with ramen but!)

I'm Hungarian but living in Sweden (though Fiverr is confused and says I'm in Italy. CS said it'll revert on its own, but I've lived in 4 countries since then!) and get this quite a lot as well. I think people lying about their nationalities/whereabouts really does make it... complicated for expats (or people from different countries who HAPPEN to actually write well in English. But... I think the writers' section is so... messy that people still end up going for the few decent-looking ones. I've had a look around a couple of times and it's just not great, from copy-pasted profiles to EXPARTS... I like to think that this is working FOR us, but... I'm not 100% sure, to be honest. At least you were already re-placed! I got the email a good while ago (back in April) but still nothing. I haven't been in touch too much because I had a lot going on with moving around/work/life in general but would love to get back on track but I'm sticking to waiting around for a bit because...yeah. As for the actual topic: liars get found out but they still get orders from stupid people (read: sometimes me who sees the BEST in everyone and even gave a chance to someone who copied my work/gig to change it instead of reporting them off the bat.) People... do learn, though, but maybe not before getting a couple slaps on the wrists (or warnings, I guess.)

I realized VERY quickly that non-fiction writing isn't for me. I find it boring (to start with), but it also just... doesn't match my writing style. I tried for a while but ended up with lots of cancellations (like, genuinely a LOT), so... I went back to fiction. This way wayyy back in 2017/2018 and doesn't really 'affect' me anymore, but it was definitely a weird time. (I've been writing way before I even knew Fiverr was a thing but it was mostly fanstuff (though a lot of it did pretty well, even for not so popular fandoms.) So while I had some experience, it took me a bit to really understand what I liked writing and what I'm terrible at! It's honestly fun to see other sellers sort of try new things as well, being bold (or brave, I guess.), though of course sometimes... those ideas might not work out and that's OK.

From one writer to another... I really hope this is a joke.

Red peppers are great! I only like single-double topping pizzas if they are super high-quality. If it's a fast-food joint, I want as much stuff on it as possible! I honestly might cave in and get Domino's when I'm in the UK/France in a few weeks THOUGH some search tells me that we have some here in Sweden(?). (to be honest I prefer not sharing pizzas for this exact reason. I love my crazy toppings, like this Monday, I had chicken/rocket/truffle mayo (for me it's 'crazy', so!) Still looking for a place that does truffle mayo justice though!

I... Yeah, fair. This one time in Toscana (I THINK in Volterra, but I wouldn't bet on it) I had a pizza with onions and maybe anchiovies or something on it? All I remember is that it was an odd combo but it was REALLY good, a bit salty. I do agree that pizza from Naples is the best. Especially because of how cheap it is (well, was when I was there!) (but if we are on the topic of Naples food, the mixed bag of fried stuff (I think seafood and probably other things?) I had was hands-down some of the best street food I've ever had! Honestly, same. For me they are kind of 'different' meals - I like proper Italian pizza for date nights (mostly because it's incredibly expensive here, think 20 euro for the basic ones!), and US/etc. style when I NEED something greasy and tasty (like on Monday after partying!)

These days I either cook or wait for dinner to be ready (I love spending some time in the kitchen without my phone/laptop, really helps sort of switch out of work-mode. Sometimes go for a walk. I'm trying to stick to a schedule for the most part so having a clear 'end' to the day is nice (though I often break my own promise and go back to work after dinner still.

See, yes. But it's fun to trigger the pizza-maffia. (also, I will say... pineapples on American-style pizza with ham are still tasty enough.) But this fruit down there on pizza with heaps of cheese? Takes the cake (well, pizza.) Not...in a pleasant way, though. That's kind of how I was in China, to be honest, though most pizzas had fruit I couldn't recognize that well haha. I've been to a Japanese restaurant that served pizza (I think this was in Beijing) and they surely had some fun picks! That's how I am sometimes I think. Like, I prefer Naples-style pizza on most days, but sometimes.... it has to be greasy, cheap and CHEESY.

I'm very curious about the convo with CS on this, what was the reason that you asked for? I'm pretty certain that denying orders as is isn't against the TOS. (for example, I have to deny several if I'm overbooked or I'm not the best person for the job.) NEVER have I had to prove it to CS or anyone... (if you mean once an order has been placed and you want to cancel for very little reason, that I suppose is understandable.) Anyway, you could be right, I'm just... pretty concerned if this really is the case (since 'reasons' can vary quite a lot and CS might not accept all of them, etc.?)

First thing first - your concerns are valid. But it will be okay. (I had a whiff of anxiety just reading this, can't even imagine how scary it must be.) But it IS true - you have a case against them. CS will HAVE to take your side on this one (I mean, you are being threathened and harrassed just because you don't wish to break the TOS/and just in general have limits about what you want to do, which is...normal. I would ignore them/screenshot all the threaths/etc. (give CS as much material as you can) and maybe even get away from the screen for a bit. Make yourself some nice tea/etc. and wait for CS to reply, but try not to stress about it (I...know that's hard.) Point is, you were completely in the right to write to CS on this one! I hope they will be able to just block the user's IP completely or something. (as for creating a whole website to shame you... that IS very... stalkerish, to be honest, but even if they go through with it, you can likely have it taken down for defamation/etc.) I'd guess at least!

Stockholm! Looks like I'll be here for a while (though I'm planning several longer trips out of here.) I never really... thought I'd end up in the North because it's cold (and just in general I've never been up North before moving near Malmö a while back.) The expat community isn't as strong here as it is in some other places (like Paris) AND the past few months writing has been crazy, so yeah. The forum it is for social stuff for now. I do miss the sun though, I have to admit!