Two down, two to go

I'm in quandary. I want to sell a piece to the Times' "Modern Love," but I'm just not comfortable with selling all rights for the $1,000 check. Yes, I need money, but I'm not sure I'm willing to give up all rights to my work for that.

Of course I'm wondering if I just have an enormous head and am inflating the importance of my writing, but a part of me doesn't like the idea that I would have to pay to use a piece in a book I wrote. That's just insult to injury.

I still have a couple of pieces to finish and then a business proposal -- and a book proposal if I have time. My goal is to have all these things done before September. Wish me luck, I may need it!