A Welcome Week
Today is Sunday. I welcome the new week.
Last week wasn't a smooth one. I over-extended myself a wee little bit. Even though I knew finishing my assignments on time would be a squeeze, I thought I could manage. But then I got into a fender bender in a parking lot. And on top of that I had some drama in my personal life. Nothing horrible, but they were both time consuming.
So the article I wanted to turn in Thursday morning? Well, I turned it in late that night. Also, it was 55 words over the assigned word count. Given that it was supposed to be 1500 words, I think 55 words over is okay . . . but I don’t know for sure.
When I first started this career, I took a professional writing class. The teacher said that we should turn in assignments by 10am (at the latest) on the date it’s due. Also, she said the piece should never be 10% over or under the assigned word count (so an assignment that’s 1000 words should range from 900-1100).
My history isn’t perfect, but for the most part I’ve done a good job of sticking to those rules. Yet I was thinking . . . are they standard? They seem reasonable. But I’m curious . . . if you are a writer, what have you been taught about deadlines and word counts?
posted by Jenny at 10:26 PM
7 Comments:
I get all my info from Jenny Rough.
11:38 PM
I don't know anything about this, but it sounds like you've done a great job of keeping the word count and the deadlines.
1:14 AM
Jenny, I think you can safely ignore the first one, about time of day. I've never known or worked with an editor who wouldn't accept that the due date meant by end of day (generally 5 p.m. their time). If you can get it earlier to them, fine. But that's not essential.
As for length, I might be a little more literal about this one (unless, again, you've checked with them, or otherwise know the publication to be flexible on this). If I hear 1,500 words, I wouldn't go a word over that unless I ran that past the editor with whom I'm working. Just remember that there's a way to couch it more as an FYI/head's up rather than asking for permission. So you might try that. Anyway, hope that helps.
1:21 PM
I've always wondered this myself. I'm learning from you! Keep us in the loop...
3:09 PM
I'll ask the only other free lance writer I know, just to be sure, but those sound like good "rules" to me!
7:46 PM
Thanks for offering a different perspective, John. Yep, I do think one key is simply keeping in touch with the editor through the process.
7:46 PM
I think deadlines are usually padded, so end of day is fine, although earlier is better (assuming you allow yourself time to proofread first).
I have heard the 10% rule because it was actually written into one of my contracts! I would follow that unless I'm writing something super-short, in which case it's best to hit it as close to the mark as posible.
PS I like the new look!
4:50 PM
Post a Comment
Links to this post:
Create a Link
<< Home