openscarf

 Today I stood up for my artistic and ethical integrity and it worked out stunningly. I had to pretty much let go of the situation so when it turned out better than I could have hoped for, I wasn’t only completely amazed, but I felt validated and respected. I hadn’t been heard in so long at my former work place, I hate to admit this, but I really did have moments of doubts about my worth and my communication ability.  What a difference.

A little background - I'm writing for a start up online community paper that's getting a lot of recognition, soon to have advertisers.  It's unpaid, but great experience and I get to have published clips. It's just been a week.  I know it will lead to better and better things.  My first two stories were published today; the second was basically re-written and it wasn't an improvement.  I was embarrassed to have my name on it. Each time I've submitted something, I've asked for feedback, what I need to change, add or decrease, etc. I wasn't asked to change anything.  When I saw what was published, I felt physically ill, I cried, I had a little meltdown.  I called my mom who was great!  The copy of the email below should fill in the rest.

Hi ‘founder of paper’

 My first two stories were published today with a greater number of changes than I expected; and there are spelling errors. My name is on these stories, but they're not mine.

 At the meeting last week, you stressed that ‘the paper’ would coach and train us and that you loved newbies. I asked about the editing process and if there was back and forth and how that took place and you said there was, via email. I entered this with good faith, worked hard and expected to be guided as to what was actually wanted. But my good faith drafts were changed a lot by someone else and to my eye, not all the changes improved the writing or were true to the story.

 When I submitted my drafts to you, I thought I’d be asked to make some changes and welcomed any and all feedback. I really wanted to know what you wanted; I’m learning after all.  You wrote the first time and said it was great, and the second one, I assumed you thought was good, since you forwarded it to ‘assistant editor’ to post. But many changes were made to both.

 I spent a lot of time speaking with ‘subject of story’ yesterday and the story on’the paper’ is not the same story I submitted. It doesn’t convey how I understood him or his company. It feels diluted and choppy and not quite right. The businesses are called shops in one sentence, the word ‘conversation’ isn’t used until the last sentence, yet conversation is very much what he’s promoting. The word ‘commenting’ is used, which is used on sites that he’s trying to differentiate himself from. The article doesn’t say that all employees can post their stories, which they can, it says just owners will.  And if ‘the paper’ had wanted more detail on ‘a company’ why wasn't I asked to provide that? Why wasn’t I asked to do make any changes if so many were wanted?

 If the process for new contributors is to simply submit the story and let it go from there; and not be advised, consulted or asked to make any changes, that someone else will, then no coaching is actually taking place and learning can’t happen. The story is being used as a draft for someone else to write. 

 I love writing and I very much want to be a part of new media/journalism. I think you’re amazing and have launched something great. I would love to work with you going forward.  But I’m uncomfortable having my name on writing that isn’t mine. I can’t use these as samples of my published writing.

 At the meeting last week, one of the women said something like she was greedy or selfish with her writing; she had a hard time letting it go.  That’s how I feel right now. I have to be more involved with my own writing and work, that’s the way I am.

 I’m not sure how to proceed at this point.  I think I just need to hear exactly how it works and take it from there.

 best,

 me

Her reply:

Let's talk on the phone. The web is changeable, which is great. I thought your first story was strong so I assigned the second one to a new editor I am getting to help me so I can do more of the business side, but it doesn't sound like this was as sensitive a process as it could (should?) have been. I am sorry about that--I learned from your email! Why don't you send me your original draft and also give me a call and we can have a revisit of the whole process and of this story--I am thrilled at the contribution you have made already and want this to work for you in a way that both benefits us and gives you clips you are proud of.
I am around this afternoon, please call.
Best, founder of paper

We spoke and she thanked me several times for the way I communicated my feelings to her.  She said it showed her that the person she's training to be her assistant, while being her best writer, needs training at editing.  She said this was the first thing she had given her. She's no push over, but she was really sincere with me. She knew my story was good. She had pulled the story off, and she re-edited it, on line, with me , basically restoring my story, giving it a “light” edit that really did make it better and more appropriate for the medium and explained each change she made.  Then she put it on the front page.