As a relatively new freelance writer I’ve been wondering – am I normal?

The past three weeks have been nuts. I told one of my editors that I only have time to submit one article per week (until school ends and I stop substitute teaching). That was a good plan…until people started contacting me and asking me to write stories about them.

I’ve been submitting two articles (with pictures) per week to the GTI. I’ve also been submitting two articles per week to the ERN (many of which are reports of government meetings, so I have to put some time into those). Add all of this to my substitute teaching schedule, and I’m a little overwhelmed. That got me to thinking – am I doing this right?

I’m not used to having to produce stories so quickly. I like to take my time, think about things, let them settle in my brain. After I’ve finished interviews and taken pictures, I like to take a day to write a story. That gives me time to write a draft, workout, shower, revise it, [INSERT CHORE HERE], skim it again, spend time with the hubby, hand it off to hubby to review, then polish it up before sending it to my editor. That’s my ideal technique.

It never works like that. Sometimes I don’t get to speak with people until Monday or Tuesday, and my deadlines are Wednesday. That means I have to rush into the writing and have to edit it without taking a mental break. That leaves me stressed and tired.

I think I need a better plan.

I’m open to suggestions. What are your strategies? Tricks? Stress relievers? And what’s a good number of stories to write each week?

Thanks for the help!