Nov 21 2008
Sometimes, I Wish You Would Feel the Pain of My Mistakes
I am so dedicated to making mistakes for you guys. Seriously, you should thank me heartily. Here’s a recap of my day:
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1. Spelled the last name of a quoted source wrong. I knew his name. Knew the spelling. Knew how to spell it. Spelled it wrong. Luckily, it was caught before I submitted it. CAUGHT BY THE SOURCE. Naturally. Of course. I apologized to him for being a hack.
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2. I had to do a story for a local paper about a community center. There were supposed to be vendors and events at the community center. There were no vendors or events. I interviewed someone about the success of the day. They told me not to quote them under any circumstances- AFTER I INTERVIEWED THEM. Huh? Yeah, so, I guess I should make it clear from the outset that I plan to quote them? Like, my asking questions and writing down what they say is not enough?
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3. In trying to fill out my week next week, I responded to a job on Digital Point Forum. I hate that site, but I’m trying to branch out. He says he needs a writer immediately. I chat with him online and tell him I can turn the content in by Thursday. He is upset because 6 DAYS IS NOT IMMEDIATE. He’s right. I should have realized that immediate meant…immediately. Argh.
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Beyond that though, I had a very good and productive day. Honestly, even the annoying bits were kinda fun and exciting! It makes my life sound so interesting! Especially when the chick I was interviewing freaked out and the Marketing lady at the community center got scared I would make the event sound bad. I felt so powerful. I told her that it would be a puff piece, not investigative journalism…..but I’m not sure she believed me 
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***NEWSFLASH*** Little update on the DP drama. The client actually apologizes to me. Says that he expects too much for too little. Says it’s his fault and refuses to take my article the day I guarantee it. Forces me to take 2 extra days to work on it. Ladies and Gents, I’ve officially entered the Twilight Zone.
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****ANOTHER NEWSFLASH**** Okay, so the DP client and I were talking on IM about his site, what it means to him, why he wants the content. He moved me so much that I’m doing the content for free. This is my way of maybe thanking a certain writer/ editor who has been helping me for free. Pay it forward?
That’s very nice of you to do a free article. Keep up the work!
Hey Penny, it was nice and I got a paying gig out of it.
Hi Kerrie- thanks! I’ll definitely check out your blog. Maybe we can keep each other from making some mistakes :))