I did a Google search for something or another and turned up a message board comment referring to me as, “Well-known crackpot Christopher Priest said thus and so…” Crackpot? *scratches head* When did I become a crackpot? I wasn’t so much insulted as I was puzzled. I mean, of all the insults to hurl at me, “crackpot”? I did snicker, though: at least I was “well-known.”
Well, every place except here. Here, I am a piano player. I am a minister. That’s all these folks really know about me. I gave copies of my Green Lantern novel to my neighbors, they still don’t get what I do. All of which actually works for me, except that, now with a local ministry developing an independent film, they’ve pursued me to work with them on the film while, at the same time, not treating me as a professional. It’s a little hard to explain, but, it’s like, I’d do a first draft of the screenplay for little or nothing. Then when financing started to come in, the group looked to Hollywood and New York for a “real” writer, offering him $25k to do a re-write of my screenplay, for which I’d charged them less than one-fifth of that rate to do. And, I wondered, is this fellow they were talking to was five times better a writer than me. Or if his re-write, a couple weeks’ work, would be five times as good. Or five times as fast.
It just occurred to me that these folks, these wonderful, great church folks whom I love like family, just have no idea that I am, in fact, a professional writer. I’ve also discovered that slashing your rate to the moral equivalent of five bucks and a ham sandwich only reinforces that thinking. They thought the 25k guy was five times better because he charged five time more, rather than thinking the opposite, that we are likely peers, but Priest is all but donating his services while the other guy is not.
Working for almost nothing is a time-honored Christian tradition. It’s all about ministry, all about your tithe to God. The reality, however, is churches that actually *can* afford to pay you a decent rate but who choose to let you work for next to nothing, to always be broke and late on your bills. Dude, I can be broke and late on my bills working at Wal-Mart. I don’t have to write your movie to do that.
Here in Shangri-La, the mindset reminds me of the old Green Acres TV series. Since I live here, down the block from them, and shop in Wal-Mart like them and eat at the Mean Spirited And Unfriendly Chinese Restaurant like they do, they just assume the 25k guy is 5 times better than I am at what I do. And, honestly, he very well may be. But you can’t ever judge something’s value by its price tag. And there is simply no Biblical foundation for letting a guy who is helping you starve.
Ironically, this recent episode of doing a job for almost nothing, has taught me I have to double my rate. See, by committing to do the job for almost nothing, it was hard to get the bills paid. With the bills not paid, it was impossible to write (stress working against creativity), which made the job late, which aggravated the very people I was trying to be kind to, who are now looking towards the 25k guy. Let me tell you: for 25k, I can et you a fast script, too. But, of the three qualities of commercial writing: good, fast and cheap, you can only pick two.
And, so, here I am, realizing how long I’ve neglected this Other Life, the life I led before I got distracted with tractor pulls and lawn-obsessed neighbors. Hi folks (most of whom are doubtlessly long gone, but at least they’ll be able to pull this post up when/if they find me again): I’ve missed you!
24 Comments
We've miss you too, Priest. Since you've been gone, I've started work on my very first comic book (self published, of course). Comes out in June, and I can honestly say it wouldn't have happened if not for you, your books, and these blog posts. Glad to see you're back and posting, rants or no rants!
scrawled by Gordy Toler | May 8, 2007 7:54 PM
Hi, writer. Glad you're back.
I learned that same lesson too. Charge what you're worth. Otherwise people will either take advantage of your skills (although most times, unknowingly), or will doubt your skills because of your generosity.
For some reason, after reading your other recent posts, other than the life's regular potholes, you sound more...at peace??? Hope that's the case.
Did I mention that I'm glad the writer is back in effect?? Hope to read you soon, somewhere.
scrawled by Ty | May 8, 2007 11:19 PM
Hey, Gordy: congrats!! And, I’m flattered, I really am, but I also feel a little guilty, like I got you addicted to crack or something…
Ty: yes, I suspect I’m a bit more at peace. A heart attack and a stroke will tend to do that for you… more on that later. I have a hard time figuring rates when I deal with ministries because I know for a fact not every ministry is well-heeled. But, without seeing the books, it’s rather impossible to know whether they can afford me or not, or whether they’re just being frugal—which they’re supposed to do anyway.
But, yeah, the lesson is, the guy charging five times my rate was more respected and more trusted and considered to be more of a professional, which is just insane. But that’s how it is, people equate your value with your price. And, soon as I tell these folks a more realistic rate, they get offended—actually offended. How dare I need to eat and pay rent (and now buy medicine… and get those pesky EKG’s…).
scrawled by priest | May 9, 2007 9:27 AM
I don't usually talk this way [especially to a "PRIEST" :-) ], but...OH_SH%$_!!! A heart attack??
I hope everything is more under control right now. I wish you all the best...
On a lighter note, I hope it had nothing to do with that pic of you eating that chili dog!!! lol
I really hope that a lifestyle change is all that is required (other than the meds and usual suspects). Again I wish you the best.
On that rate thing, yeah, start high than come down to something they can afford without shorting yourself. This has been the hardest thing for me to adjust to (and stick to) because I whole-heartedly believe in helping others out. But the more suspicious side of human nature always seems to steer most others' thought processes and in the end you end up shorting yourself, monetarily and sanity-wise.
Again charge what you're worth. You might not get every project you aim for but one project at your "right" price is always better than 3 project at a lesser price. If your work is good, you get respected more and people tend to take your services a bit more seriously.
scrawled by Ty | May 9, 2007 3:45 PM
Priest,
I'm glad you're back! I don't know the story on your health problems, but I'll pray they ease up.
Best,
Eric
scrawled by Eric Harper | May 9, 2007 7:54 PM
Ty: thanks for the advice. No, I’m fine. It was a real *little* heart attack and, thankfully, a very mild stroke. Just enough to get me to lay off the tacos. I apparently have high blood pressure. Never had it before, but here it is, so now I’m living a bit differently. But, yeah, I was really quite sick for awhile. Eric: thanks!
scrawled by priest | May 9, 2007 8:59 PM
Priest,
Last time I checked there was a scripture detailing that "a workman is worthy of his hire" and it applied to EVERYONE. Some how people have mistaken the word minister (servant) for "sucker" or "slave". Glad to hear you're on the recovery route.
scrawled by rda2 | May 10, 2007 9:06 AM
Luke 10: 4 Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way. 5 And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house. 6 And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again. 7 And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house. 8 And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you: 9 And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.
RDA: Thanks. I believe, what Christ meant here was that his missionaries (whom He dispatched) shouldn’t worry about provisions because God will provide for them (i.e. they are working for God), and to not feel guilty about accepting the hospitality of those they encounter. I’m not sure it means that the guy who owned the house should *pay* them for their missionary work.
I think God wants us to trust Him to provide for us. I don’t think He wants us to be suckers, though. Finding the middle is the tough part.
scrawled by priest | May 10, 2007 10:07 AM
You have no idea how much you just made my day, Priest!!! I've missed these little messages in a bottle a whole lot! I'm sorry to hear about your heath problems, I hope you've recovered nicely and are ready to jump back into writing.
As for me, I'm going into my senior year at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design (as a comic art major) and just finished up my first day as Terry Beatty's intern.
I'm just supper glad you're back!
scrawled by jp_pollard | May 11, 2007 12:36 PM
Hey thanks-- and congrats!
(They teach comic book art in college now...?)
scrawled by priest | May 11, 2007 5:39 PM
Thats the most common response actually :)
But yep, there's a few colleges with the major. I know Savana GA's art school has a comic major (with Dave Stevens of The Rocketeer and Linda Medley fom Castle Waiting teaching) and here at MCAD we've had/have Peter Gross, Barb Schultz, Terry Beatty, Ryan Kelly, and others.
See ya around
scrawled by Jp_Pollard | May 11, 2007 6:30 PM
Priest,
I am sorry to hear that you had such health problems you will be in my prayers. I am glad to hear that you are better. There are a lot of lifestyle changes that you can do but that takes a lot of work its that or medication which I'm sure you already have been taking. Asprin or Nitro tabs? My moms was on Nitro
scrawled by mdwaire | May 12, 2007 6:13 PM
Priest,
I am sorry to hear that you had such health problems you will be in my prayers. I am glad to hear that you are better. There are a lot of lifestyle changes that you can do but that takes a lot of work its that or medication which I'm sure you already have been taking. Asprin or Nitro tabs? My moms was on Nitro
scrawled by mdwaire | May 12, 2007 6:13 PM
sorry about the double post I got a submission error so I resubmitted
scrawled by mdwaire | May 12, 2007 6:15 PM
Nothing so prescriptive. Just a little something for the blood pressure. My doctor says if I lose a few pounds I may be able to wean off of it. Also serious diet changes (salt, sugar, etc.).
scrawled by priest | May 12, 2007 10:30 PM
Priest, I can't begin to say how happy I am that you're back, or how sorry I am that you had to endure this stuff (professional and health). I've been worrying more and more about that stuff; hearing this might be enough to get me to make some changes in my own habits.
I hope that you're well, and that you're back. You've been missed.
scrawled by Richard Howe | May 13, 2007 9:54 PM
Thanks, Richard! Yeah, take care of yourself or you end up walking sideways. It's quite amazing to suddenly realize all that stuff your doctor warned you about is actually true...
scrawled by priest | May 14, 2007 1:06 PM
I'm a (about-to-be-ex) fulltime freelancer too, so I COMPLETELY. UNDERSTAND. YOUR. STORY.
If you charge your real rate, you'll have less folks at your funeral, but, yes, you won't be consistently insulted. Learned that the HARD way.
Best of luck to you!
scrawled by Todd Steven Burroughs | May 14, 2007 4:04 PM
Priest,
Take care of yourself. I want to know that you're gonna be around for a long time. Been thinking of you often as of late (just this morning, in fact, I was watching kids' programming with my little one and remembering how Mickey doesn't have any friends from the 'hood), and the wife and I send you our best wishes.
scrawled by Max | May 14, 2007 9:46 PM
Wow, Max, I'd forgotten all about the Mickey Mouse thing (and the ensuing uproar it caused when I said I wouldn’t go to Disneyland until Mickey Mouse got a black friend).
Wish I still had those old posts... ah, the good ol' days when I could enrage thousands with a single post...
BTW: I'll be 46 next month. I've never been to Disneyland. and I'm not making any plans.
scrawled by priest | May 16, 2007 9:27 AM
Just wanted to say that I finally had a chance to read your part of the Sleepers Trilogy and really enjoyed it. You made the Spectre come alive and work as a character.
It was neat because I was looking forward to the lantern stuff but the Spectre aspect really made the book a more interesting read.
It was a crazy comic book idea that I bought into because of your grounding it in reality. (Hmmm...I wonder where that monster-dog scene came from...)
Anyway, I read it after you had went into silent running mode and now that your back I just wanted to say good job! jeff
scrawled by Jeff | May 16, 2007 1:13 PM
Jeff--thanks a lot! Sleepers 3 actually may have ruined me for comics because I frankly enjoyed the prose writing so much more. And the stuff that didn't work? Well, I can only blame me since there's no chain of others to change the story direction. I was actually pretty miffed about having to write Spectre: my outline called for Hal to be stripped of his Spectre persona before my novel came along, but the earlier writers went their own way. In the end, no autopsy no foul--it was fine.
Thanks again.
scrawled by priest | May 17, 2007 3:37 PM
The worst part about doing freelance for less than your normal rate is the fact that your client almost inevitably sees it as THEM doing YOU a favor. That happened to me twice last year (it was a very bad year, except for the birth of my daughter). This year started with a freelance job at my normal rate, for a client who respected me and my abilities, and has continued with them hiring me fulltime and continuing to respect me. The lesson: never work for less than you are worth.
And Priest, I still think you should use some of your connections here in LA to get more screenwriting gigs. I know you don't want to move here, but I still think it would be a good thing.
scrawled by Richard Howe | May 18, 2007 8:29 AM
Richard: consider your advice taken. Nothing like repairing the barn door after the horses have all run off.
scrawled by priest | May 18, 2007 11:52 AM