Clarissa's Blog

So do you remember how I was searching for self-soothing mechanisms? I now found one that really works*: translating fiction. I have been given a novel to translate from Russian, and it has been the most relaxing endeavor ever. The novel is a very pulpy thriller where FBI agents chase after zombies sent by a religious sect. I wouldn’t read something like this but translating it is fun. I open the novel, turn on Law & Order as background noise, and work on the translation. A couple of hours later, I feel as refreshed and rested as ever.

The problem is that this novel will end soon. And what will I do then? There aren’t that many texts that need to be translated between Russian and English. And I can’t just choose a text and translate it without an actual client who needs the translation because I will be tortured by guilt if I spend so much time doing something like this for fun and not for remuneration.

* In addition to the great suggestion to paint my nails for which I will be eternally grateful.