I resurrected the age-old debate about lowering rates over at FreelanceSwitch.com. But it's different than the debate over working for lower rates consistently. Still, the post opens up a wide range of discussions. (I was glad to see that the discussions were kept polite, too!)

See, a client of mine asked me to lower our standard rate when he misquoted it to a client. In this case -- awesome client who gives me regular work -- the reduction wasn't that big of a deal. It would save him from going back to the client to jack up the price. It was his mistake, but I didn't mind taking a few bucks off the price because this guy's good business. In this case, I didn't lower my rate due to the economy. But I have in other instances -- or I haven't jacked them up as high as I could.

The article does open up a broad spectrum for comments on the topic of lowering rates in our current economy. What happens when you get a client who wants to see if you can go a little lower? Well, that depends on you. But you have to look out for yourself, too.

Have you lowered your rates due to the economy at all? Or for a client on a one-time basis? What were the results?

Greetings from a very cold (again) New Jersey. While we had some spring weather, for like two days, it's back to nippy...but at least there is sun.

My moods seem to go with the weather. So right now I'm in that winter doldrum where you're dying for the first peek of spring. A scent in the air, or a brush of warm air...everything outside affects me. So when it's a little dreary, I try to stay busy with some cool creative projects inside.

You may or may not know that my New Year's resolution was to query three magazines a month. I made certain not to make the goal to get published in a major womens magazine...because that's kind of out of my control. But what was in my control was to think up great ideas and put them into queries and send them out. I've been doing it--and let me tell you, I know that getting published in a bigger magazine is right around the corner. I've got contacts, and these contacts are giving me tons of positive feedback. I just need to get the topic in tune with what they want. If you're a writer, you know that's sort of like mind-reading. Editors are picky and want you to hit juuuust the right spot. Annoying. But like I said, I'm getting closer. And I'm in touch with some helpful people. I'll keep you posted.

I'm also painting my office. I'd rather do it instead of being stuck inside when it's nice. So my makeover is underway. Bye bye beige. I can't wait to have a nice office that's all mine. Since we moved here two years ago I never got to paint the office because my husband and I were so busy with kitchens, bathrooms...everything. So now it's time to make this office inspiring. I've selected an apple green that is quite a shocker on the walls, but I think we'll get along just fine.

I've picked up some new writing gigs. That's great, as always. Work is moving along just fine and I'm grateful for it.

So that's what's keeping me busy for the next few weeks. What kinds of things are getting you through your winter doldrums?

If you haven't heard the term "accidental freelancer," you probably will hear more and more of it. With job losses due to the recession, more and more people are looking into--or falling into--freelancing.

So if you've got some creative talent and want to explore freelancing while you're out of work, here are some resources to help you navigate creative freelancing and creative self-employment:

• The Gig Economy: This article talks about how high-paid and low-paid people are turning to freelancing, and the pool is getting crowded!
• The Accidental Freelancer's Survival Kit: Author Michelle Goodman's take on what you need to start a freelancing business--even if it was never in the cards for you.
• Getting Started as a Freelance Web Designer: From about.com, a great guide to seeing if web design is for you--and making a freelance career in it happen!
  
• 7 Productivity Tips, Plus Tools for Freelancer and Web Workers: Mashable covers some fantastic resources for freelancers, plus tools on staying sharp.
• FreelanceSwitch: Finally, the tool that you can't live without. This blog is packed with useful articles, resources and even a job board.