No, we are not making fun of Star Wars - we like Star Wars, so heads in the game here. We're talking about the trap you never see coming until it snaps closed around you and you realize just how screwed you are. It can appear as literally anything and from anyone. The worst is from someone you trust, your publisher or another author. They ask for assistance with something, seems harmless enough and you end up sucked in and doing it all on your own.
Just like high school/college where you got to do the project because you were actually serious about getting good grades while your partner was more concerned with a boy/girl friend or a party. There you are scrambling to do the work of two, or more, people in the same time frame as everyone else. But this is so much worse. Yes in high school/college it meant a grade. But out here in your professional life it can mean your very reputation.
If anyone, ever, asks you to lend a hand with something tell them you want to see what they are proposing in writing. Like with anything else in your professional life you need to have something that clearly states the boundaries of the task. At which point you then start to ask questions of each detail and, do it in an email that they have to send back to you with any questions or concerns or general stupification clarified. This way you have a guide as to just what you are required to do, a clear list of details that need seeing to and what the end result needs to be. If they send you a short little piddle explanation that is more confusing than not, say no.
We will repeat that for those in the back row. If it sounds too good to be true or like they are trying to foist something on you no one else wants to do...
SAY NO!
All it will do is miff them but really, if they aren't going to give you guidance than fuck 'em. Yup, that's right, fuck 'em. Pass it on to some other sucker thank you very much. And that is all there is to that.
The Moderator
PS - We should mention that if someone sends you something and you've sent in questions but they are now ignoring you on all fronts. RUN!!
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