Journal: News & Comment

Ups and downs

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Last year when I looked at my income distribution for 2002, I found 60.5% from writing and editing, 38.5% from music, and 1% from technical work of various sorts.

This year, in preparing my 2003 receipts for my accountant at tax time, the numbers are much different. While my freelance work breaks down to 71% writing and editing, 24% music, 3% technical, and 2% speaking engagements (a new category), I also had some salaried work in 2003. When I include that (which is nearly all writing and editing), I'm at 78% writing and editing, 18% music, 2% technical, and 2% speaking.

My gross income for 2003 was up about 5% from 2002. That's nice, but it's still 25% less than it was in 2001, when I had the great bonus of a very well-paid three-month summer contract. Interestingly, that year I was at 80% writing and editing, 18% music, and 2% technical—nearly identical to this year's percentages, but with a lot more money overall.

So far in 2004, things are all over the place, for all sorts of reasons. It's hard to say how the percentages will break down by the end of December, but I'll let you know next spring when I get around to figuring it out.

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