Happy Mothers Day, all. In the middle of my Mothers Day I was able to take a time out to check my iGoogle blogs, and I found this interesting post over at All Freelance Writing. It tells some of the myths and realities of the magazine writing market today and is one of the most valuable, unique and applicable posts I've seen of late.

I recently finished my first semester as a writing TA at Michigan State University. Putting my writing beliefs into words, lectures and exercises solidified them in my mind; it was a wonderful experience, if draining.

At my mentor group wrap-up for the year, one of my professors said this in passing: There are no good writers or bad writers, just good writing and bad writing. I loved the concept. Sometimes someone who considers themselves a good writer leaves some bad writing behind, and vice versa.

So, do you agree? Disagree? Why?

A family member recently commented about the "way" I read. This is because I read with a notebook and pen in hand, which, you can imagine, doesn't look very relaxing. And I'm not talking about the reading I'm doing for my Masters program. I'm talking about "leisure" reading. And it's true- reading with notebook and pen in hand sometimes ISN'T that relaxing. However, when I read, I often find so many phrases, words, or ideas that I MUST write down. I keep a notebook full of my favorite prose, poetry and quotes. I cannot read without it; I'm afraid I'll miss something. And this notebook is one of my prize possessions. In fact,  I will sometimes open it up and read it, like it's a book itself.

So, no, I guess my way of reading is not very relaxing. I probably need to find some trashy beach reading or something like that to truly relax. But for now, I'm happy with my hunt-and-write method.

Other writers have told me that they cannot relax when they read because it makes them want to write! What about you? Can you read to relax?

By the way, check out this SUPERB book I just reviewed today: The Literary Ladies Guide to the Writing Life. I absolutely adore it!

I had a reader ask for some pricing guidance on a really small bit of copywriting (a book blurb, I believe). I told her that, even though we were officially talking one paragraph, she should still consider setting the rate pretty high- perhaps at a minimum set rate.

Do you have one? My website states that I won't take any work for less than $150. That means, I won't edit a 2 page proposal for less than $150. I won't write a summary paragraph for your book blurb for less that $150. I won't even line edit a paragraph of copy on a website for less than $150.

That's because, even though these are an hour or less of work, I still invest quite a bit to set up a new customer. We have getting-to-know-you emails, I have to add you to my accounting systems, and the project might need a little back-and-forth. I don't make the investment, ever, for less than $150.

I've looked at my colleagues' websites. I've seen some minimums even higher than that. Which is fine, it's an individual call. One thing I DO like about those one-off quickie $150 jobs: you can't pay many bills with $150. That's almost always "fun" money. Movies anyone?

What's your minimum? Have I convinced you to set one up?