Being the squeaky wheel.

[tpridgen]

Are you one to just "roll over" or do you pick battles you think you can win when it comes to editing decisions?

I don't claim to be an expert at anything (except maybe awesomeness), but I know a lot about a few things. I got a rewrite back telling me that I needed mold the article into something else...but, ethically, I don't feel like I can (even if I'm losing the money I've put into the article).

The article would be extremely convoluted if I did. I've sent it up to editorial to see what they say, but my inclination is to just let it expire. I just hate that I'm not going to get paid for the freakin' thing unless I rewrite it. (What it really needs is a re-titling.)

Do you worry that asking too many questions or complaining too much will get you flagged as a know-it-all troublemaker? I just don't want to put my byline on anything that isn't awesome.

[mommyjo2]

Here's tweet of mine from last week:
Sacrificing clarity at the altar of the Copy Editor gods is painful, but I shall do it because I want to get paid. #writer

I've only had two rewrites, one that I felt made the article more poorly organized and one because my overview had 104 words and the CE said 100 words was the absolute max. I just fixed things both times.

Yes, it made my article more inelegant (at least in my mind) to read, but I actually just changed the subheads and rearranged the information. I think if I did really disagree or if the rewrite caused inaccuracies I wouldn't do it, though.

[SouthernFriedJulie]

I refused a rewrite on something I knew was dangerous- the CE didn't know it was dangerous because another writer that has my same 'expertise' had previously stated the act was safe. [substituting one plant for another]

I wrote back in the comments why I preferred to not re-write it and the CE sent it up to editorial. He/She ended up having to reject it based on what they said 'upstairs', but was very nice about it.

Remember- it isn't what you say, it's how you say it. Even in text we can convey politeness to the point that we don't seem like know it alls, but professionals interested in keeping our work correct and informational for our readers.

You can also take that article and pop it up on eHow. I did that with one I had to flag as a bad title- even though a word change would have cleared that up.

[tpridgen]

I did that with one I had to flag as a bad title- even though a word change would have cleared that up.

I think that's part of the problem. I pull the topics thinking they're writable during my mad-dash title grabbing sprees. When I sit down and start trying to plaster on subheads I realize they're bad titles. I've actually got another bad title in my queue right now that I need to punt, but since it's in my knowledge area I keep feeling like I should try to make it work. I wonder if I can get someone in Ed to change the title...

[downtherabbithole]

My rewrites have been WAY up this month. Some people say theirs aren't and that anyone who says theirs are are bad writers....bahhhh....

[tpridgen]

I started on 9/27, so I can't compare my rewrite rate to anything yet! I've had quite a few, but most have been the "90 second" sort. Only 2 have been "I'm scared this is an auto-reject."

I am trying to find some topics to write on that require me to use less brain cells, though.

[caromora]

My first few articles went through fine, but my last three have gotten rewrite requests. Two were simple things, but one will require a complete overhaul. I didn't agree with it at first, but after some consideration, I see where the CE is coming from. Not looking forward to redoing it, though. Sigh.

It is a little funny, though--the two simple rewrites both asked for opposite things. One CE wanted me to cut a sentence from a fact sheet because "each subheading should contain two sentences and no more." The other CE wanted me to add a sentence because two didn't provide enough info!

[Straka]

I used to say squeaky wheel get the grease. Then a friend countered with; squeaky wheel gets replaced.

[joyce]

My rewrites have been WAY up this month. Some people say theirs aren't and that anyone who says theirs are are bad writers....bahhhh....

I'm pulling my hair out with rewrites! I flew by forever without and now I feel bombarded. I don't know if CE's are new or I've just turned into a horrible DS writer. After almost 600 articles you'd think I'd have it somewhat down pat.

I received a rewrite yesterday where the CE wanted me to talk about cooking with mangos and what they are used for and the title was "How to Grow a Mango Tree". What does a recipe have to do with growing a darn tree?

Two days earlier I received a rewrite where the CE wanted me to take away anything that didn't fit the title exactly, in the Overview section. I had one fluffy sentence. I did what the both CE's wanted, but I also stated to the one who wanted all the recipe crap, that I just got pinged for adding extra stuff. I figured I probably irritated the CE, but I didn't care. The consistency is presently driving me crazy. I like DS, but these past two weeks I'm ready to scream!

[downtherabbithole]

I had a rewrite about tent curtains because the CE said they had never heard the term "tent curtains". WTF?!!!!!!!! That was my biggest WTF one as of late.

[mathewferguson]

You've got to push back on changes regularly or you devalue yourself. Making every single change is a good way to let frivolous changes grow out of control. Today it's one, tomorrow two and next month it is a completely new article for no extra money.

I either make the changes I want to make and then write back with an explanation of the ones I didn't make (this gives them time to read it and see it is best) or call up and talk.

I once wrote a short story where one of the kids has this amazing watch - waterproof, lava-proof, dinosaur-proof, temperature resistant up to a million degrees, etc. It was a gentle poke at those over the top diving watches. Change came back: before kid goes in water to surf, she needs to take her watch off.

It is invulnerable! To everything! She wouldn't take it off.

They held firm and even worse, they wouldn't let me cut out all the monkey-proof, etc, stuff. So she has this brilliant watch ... and takes it off. Ugh.

[tpridgen]

I received a rewrite yesterday where the CE wanted me to talk about cooking with mangos and what they are used for and the title was "How to Grow a Mango Tree".

:Huh:

Maybe someone was CEing in front of the t.v.

[Medievalist]

You've got to push back on changes regularly or you devalue yourself. Making every single change is a good way to let frivolous changes grow out of control. Today it's one, tomorrow two and next month it is a completely new article for no extra money.

I don't think you realize the markets that are being discussed.

There is no call up and talk option.

Moreover, it's sometimes more efficient in this kind of writing to either make the changes or pull the article and post elsewhere. Contacting the editor and attempting to persuade said editor is also unpaid labor.

[SouthernFriedJulie]

Heard there are a ton of new CE's. Could be why there are titles in weird places. I was checking the Farm Animals section and someone had placed a title about sore calf muscles.

Wha? lol.

[joyce]

Heard there are a ton of new CE's. Could be why there are titles in weird places. I was checking the Farm Animals section and someone had placed a title about sore calf muscles.

Wha? lol.


:ROFL:

I know this isn't an official thread of the one that just was closed because of someone I will not mention, but it does make me feel soooo sneaky.

[SouthernFriedJulie]

:ROFL:

I know this isn't an official thread of the one that just was closed because of someone I will not mention, but it does make me feel soooo sneaky.

I have no idea what you're referring to, you naughty, naughty girl.

[blueobsidian]

Heard there are a ton of new CE's. Could be why there are titles in weird places. I was checking the Farm Animals section and someone had placed a title about sore calf muscles.

Wha? lol.

CEs don't deal with the creation of titles.

Under the previous title proofing system, a proofer checked the category and format to make sure the computer-generated ones were correct. They usually were not. When the system changed, all of a sudden they no longer had a person look at category and format. No one places the titles in categories. The computer just uses the words to categorize them (and sometimes it doesn't know the difference between things like a calf muscle and a calf on a farm).

The category stuff doesn't bother me much, since the keyword searches work fine. What is problematic are the titles uploaded in the wrong format. There are a lot of abouts that should be lists, and unfortunately many writers do not find this out until they get rewrites.

DS is aware of the problem and working on solutions. Personally, I'd like them to just go back to the old titling system. Completely computerizing things like this just doesn't work.

[SouthernFriedJulie]

Ah, I thought someone placed them.

[tpridgen]

Anyone know what counts as a "word"? Obviously, stuff in sentences is words. But what about keywords and references? I just got a rewrite sent back for length, and to come up with the number of the words the CE did they'd have to be counting er'thing.

[FreelanceKen]

Your "Tips and Warnings" area count as words in the article. I am not positive but I don't think references and keywords counts as words. What kind of word count do you have? What type of article? I ask too many questions......lol

[tpridgen]

It was a Fact Sheet! The CE said I had 308 words (which I couldn't recreate after much copying and pasting) and said I needed to chop 100 words. I came to something more like 280 when I did a word count. I went ahead and gave the thing a haircut, but it hurt to do so. It was a plant science thing, and I thought I needed all that verbiage to explain some of the concepts.

[FreelanceKen]

First of all my hats off to you...I have never attempted a Fact Sheet but I know for me personally I could never get it down to 200 words. Those of you that do Fact Sheets, I bow in humble admiration.

I have found that adding a note in the comments section when sending rewrite requests explaining what you did and didn't do for the request will usually persuade the CE to give you some feedback in an accepted article. I say usually because a lot depends on the CE and the topic, and plant science things are way out of my general area.

But it sounds like you did what you could so (fingers crossed) it should pass through.

[Words Are My Life]

I used to be afraid of fact sheets...but have grown to like them. I try to only do ones on things I know very well...such as a medical condition which I actually have. Usually if I pick topics I am good at, I can keep them short and get no re-writes. And they only take me 25 minutes to do, which makes the lower pay amount okay.

[Words Are My Life]

So since this seems to be turning into the new Demand thread...I have a question.

Nine out of ten times when I log in...there are usually only eHow articles available. Is this b/c I haven't been around long and need to earn the right to write for other websites?? Or is there really just not work available at the other sites?

[FreelanceKen]

I'm sure others here may have more insight. I feel that it is probably a little of both. I don't know how long you've been there, but you could always send an email to the Help Desk and ask them. It may take a couple of days to get an answer but at least you will have a little more clarification.

They are just now getting titles loaded up too. As you know we were hovering around 40 grand in titles just a couple of weeks ago. Now we are heading into the 60s.

[blueobsidian]

Nine out of ten times when I log in...there are usually only eHow articles available. Is this b/c I haven't been around long and need to earn the right to write for other websites?? Or is there really just not work available at the other sites?

Some other sites will just become available with time, but other ones you have to ask for. Scroll down to the lower forums to get a look at some of the possible sites -- Trails, Travels, Livestrong, Golflink, etc. If you have a specific interest in one of their other sites (and experience with the subject matter), drop them an email. Some of the options require specific credentials or experience. For example, I write almost exclusively for Livestrong and LS Health. To be accepted for Livestrong, you have to have a degree or certification in a medical/health field.

There is a special projects forum now too, and I'd recommend checking in on it every once in a while. If a project arises that fits your experience, it is worth it. I write for DK weddings as well (used to do wedding cakes). Special projects typically pay better than eHow articles of the same format. I almost exclusively write $20 articles, and the LS Health ones are $25.

[joyce]

So since this seems to be turning into the new Demand thread...I have a question.

Nine out of ten times when I log in...there are usually only eHow articles available. Is this b/c I haven't been around long and need to earn the right to write for other websites?? Or is there really just not work available at the other sites?

I wrote to editorial to ask to be added to Trails and Garden Guides. I think you have to send a note and ask and then list why you feel you can write for that site. I was added to Overstock without asking and I'm withdrawing myself without asking. I've had problems with 3 out of 4 articles I wrote. One hung around so long I thought it was going to be rejected.Then the CE writes they wanted to clean their canvas hammock first. The article was "How to Clean a Canvas Hammock". I thought, while you are cleaning, I'm waiting for my money. I had to laugh though.

Fact Sheet.....the first couple I did this week went through fine and then I hit a stone wall. I received a note from a CE yesterday that could have made three chapters in a book. It was in english, but I did not have a clue what they were even talking about. I still have a few waiting for acceptance, so I'll hope this same CE does not get them. I stated the facts Jack, but that particular CE stated something in english that I couldn't wrap my mind around after reading several times with and without the influence of a beer. It still sounded like foreign alien language. I think I'll let that one slide. It was "About Pear Trees" and I thought the CE was talking about quantum physics or something. :D

[tpridgen]

Fact sheets are giving me conniptions lately.

[FreelanceKen]

I just finished my third How To for the day. This last one took much longer than I had anticipated. Whew. More Hazelnut coffee and a cigarette is needed..

[tpridgen]

I just finished a rev share how to that came in at about 508 words. If that sucker gets sent back for a trim I'm going to slam myself into a wall.

[Words Are My Life]

Some other sites will just become available with time, but other ones you have to ask for. Scroll down to the lower forums to get a look at some of the possible sites -- Trails, Travels, Livestrong, Golflink, etc. If you have a specific interest in one of their other sites (and experience with the subject matter), drop them an email. Some of the options require specific credentials or experience. For example, I write almost exclusively for Livestrong and LS Health. To be accepted for Livestrong, you have to have a degree or certification in a medical/health field.

There is a special projects forum now too, and I'd recommend checking in on it every once in a while. If a project arises that fits your experience, it is worth it. I write for DK weddings as well (used to do wedding cakes). Special projects typically pay better than eHow articles of the same format. I almost exclusively write $20 articles, and the LS Health ones are $25.

Cool thanks!!

[joyce]

http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2009/10/demand-studios-offers-afforable-healthcare-for-its-creators/


I stumbled upon this post that I found interesting. It looks like DS might be offering some type of health insurance starting on Nov. 1. I haven't heard anything about it. I just stumbled upon this on eHow.

[stldenise]

Ugh. With all the talk about DS lately, I decided to go back and give it another whirl while I have some down time. I grabbed a bunch of 20-30 word "tips." Seemed fun and easy...Now I have a rewrite because I went over on length on one (44 words) and didn't do the key words right. Opps. Guess I didn't read enough before tackling them. I did six today, hope they don't all come back.

And if they're so picky about word length, then why don't they give us a word counter?

[DTNg]

http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2009/10/demand-studios-offers-afforable-healthcare-for-its-creators/


I stumbled upon this post that I found interesting. It looks like DS might be offering some type of health insurance starting on Nov. 1. I haven't heard anything about it. I just stumbled upon this on eHow.

I also heard (but haven't confired) DS raised rates on Livestrong.com articles to $25. I don't know if this is true and I'll confirm on Monday, but if it's the case it's another step in the right direction.

[FreelanceKen]

I had three rewrite requests last night. All legit, mind you. For me they seem to come in spurts. Another thing I have found to about the rewrites is that it really depends on the CE and how long they have been there. They are on a learning curve as well. Editing web content is much different than editing print work. Plus I believe that DS is tightening more on the CEs. The CEs as I understand it, get evaluated constantly based on the work they pass through. Obviously they want to be doing the best editing possible just as we writers want our articles to pass through.

But, on another note...after a week of cold weather it is finally warm again! Raining, but warm. Ahhh Saturday...

[tpridgen]

Well, I woke up this morning and did I sigh of relief that I didn't have one of those "Edits needed on your recent assignment" emails. They make wasting time in your email depressing.

[joyce]

Well, I woke up this morning and did I sigh of relief that I didn't have one of those "Edits needed on your recent assignment" emails. They make wasting time in your email depressing.

I know that feeling well. Lately it seems every other article has been sent back for something stupid. Yesterday I wrote a note to the CE that was quite terse. I'm glad a glitch happened when I hit submit because my note wasn't saved. Probably a good thing. I wrote another one that was a little nicer. The CE had not read all the steps and admitted so when they accepted the article on the second go around. I also received an apology. It made me feel better, but I still have the rewrite counted against me. Oh well, what are you going to do? I try to smile and keep writing, knowing there must be new CE's trying to learn the DS ropes.

Other than that, I still think everything is swell over there. ;)

[joyce]

I also heard (but haven't confired) DS raised rates on Livestrong.com articles to $25. I don't know if this is true and I'll confirm on Monday, but if it's the case it's another step in the right direction.

This is a good move, if it's true. I don't write for them, but I assume most people who do have some type of experience in the field. They deserve to be paid for their expertise. Heck, I was happy when Trails articles went to $20 a pop. As far as I'm concerned, DS is trying to get better all the time.

[blueobsidian]

I also heard (but haven't confired) DS raised rates on Livestrong.com articles to $25. I don't know if this is true and I'll confirm on Monday, but if it's the case it's another step in the right direction.

Articles classified as Livestrong titles haven't changed. The increased rates are for LS Health articles. Those titles are $25 (and $10 fact sheets, $5 for tips).

[mommyjo2]

Can I just say one more thing I like about Demand? I am in control of my assignments. I got a temp job - just a few days, but pays better than I can make writing - and I can just put DS on hold until next week when I'm free. Plus this job I'm doing is fun and I'm getting some great networking contacts.

[tpridgen]

Bleh. Just got two ridiculous rewrite requests to spoil my weekend. I think they were from the same CE since the topics were in the same subject area. Said my Fact Sheet was "thin" and that I needed to expound on x, y, and z. (Meanwhile, other CEs are sending stuff back because they're too long.) My how-to had a "I think I've read this introduction before. Rewrite per guidelines" comment on it. Helllloooooooooo? Did he/she just accuse me of self-plagiarism?

You know, sometimes I think the CEs think that they're EDITORS and not proofreaders/copy editors. I might let the damned things expire. It's not my ego, I swear, every time I write articles in the subject they get sent back with rewrites from someone who wants to pick apart every sentence I write. Whereas if I write in other topic areas my stuff breezes through.

Sorry, just needed a little Sunday-morning rant.

[stldenise]

I got a rewrite back on a tip because I used eHow as a reference. They said that I needed to use an "authoritative" 3rd party source!

[tpridgen]

I wish there was some way we could just delete rewrites we don't want to do and not have to wait for them to expire. It'd be nice if there was also a little pop-up that asks "Why are you abandoning this rewrite?" I bet lots of people will give the feedback "I don't believe I can satisfy this CE."

[blueobsidian]

I got a rewrite back on a tip because I used eHow as a reference. They said that I needed to use an "authoritative" 3rd party source!

In the Resource section is a blacklist of sites that are not allowed as references. Ehow is one of them.

[caromora]

In the Resource section is a blacklist of sites that are not allowed as references. Ehow is one of them.

There's also a section in the editorial guidelines about choosing resources. I've found that it really, really helps to go through all of the files in the Resource Center!

[joyce]

Well, I do feel better today. It seems all my article were just flying through with no problems. After a week of what seemed like "rewrite hell", things look like they're picking up. Of course, I shouldn't say anything because tomorrow I'll wake up and everything will have been sent back. I did let a couple rewrites expire. It would be good to have a note sections where you could post a note on why you didn't do the rewrite. I try to do the rewrites when I get them, but a couple of these were just plain wacky.

[stldenise]

My problem is that I used to write for DS a lot, then dropped off. They've added help stuff since then, so what I could use is a "stuff we've added since you last wrote for us" section. Ehow used to be an accepted resource because they liked it when readers were directed to sites in the company family.

I think its pretty funny that eHow isn't accepted anymore.

[FreelanceKen]

Maybe when eHow gets cleaned up they may use it as an authoritive source. Right now there is just so much junk in there that it cannot be used as a trusted resource. For example I was attempting to get some resources for a dryer cord article and came across an eHow article that actually advised cutting the fourth prong off of the cord to use it!:Soapbox: Major fire potential there.



Anyway there are rumors going about that eHow will be cleaned up to be more of a quality go-to source which it was originally intended to be.

Finally did my articles passed through last night, except for one that I have to do a rewrite for. (Intro too short :Headbang: ) I was starting to wonder if the CEs decided to take a day off. lol

[tpridgen]

*rubs chin*

I think I just had an a-ha moment. I think the CE behind my one rejection is the same one that sent me the "I think I've read this intro before" rewrite. I just went through my list of published articles, and since nothing else is similar that's the only thing it could have been. The references were similar, but the intro definitely wasn't.

I sent the rewrite back with extensive commentary of my own. I hope I didn't come across as snarky, but I wanted to impress that some of the statements that he/she made were about things too obvious to type.

I bet you they try to find something to reject it for. They're gonna get paid, anyway.

[stldenise]

I'm sure there are CE's who feel the need to find something wrong with everything - it's their job. My last rewrite was confusing...he/she pointed out mistakes, but had fixed them for me (serial comma, spelled out numbers) which left me trying to figure out if there was anything left for me to fix or not. They were good catches, but since I did a pile of similar titles all in one day, I'm sure I made the same mistake on another one that went through!

[joyce]

OMG I'm turning into a whiner! What in the heck is it with all the insane rewrites lately? I just wrote a horrible note to the CE, but I didn't send the rewrite back yet. I just need to cool off and find the right words. It wouldn't be so bad if hundreds of other articles in the same field were written in the same fashion that this CE doesn't like. I just want to scream.............ok, now I feel better. I feel a rejection coming.

[tpridgen]

I'll be whiny with you. I'm just in that mood, and it's making me want to take a break for a day.

I'm getting rewrites o'plenty after my few days of peace. One rewrite (gardening article) was because I live in the South. "Dig up your bulbs" means something different to me than someone who lives in, say, Ohio. CE pissed me off by saying I "misinterpreted" my reference. No I didn't. We dig up bulbs when our beds get crowded, not 'cause they're going to get frostbite. Anywayz.

[joyce]

I'll be whiny with you. I'm just in that mood, and it's making me want to take a break for a day.

I'm getting rewrites o'plenty after my few days of peace. One rewrite (gardening article) was because I live in the South. "Dig up your bulbs" means something different to me than someone who lives in, say, Ohio. CE pissed me off by saying I "misinterpreted" my reference. No I didn't. We dig up bulbs when our beds get crowded, not 'cause they're going to get frostbite. Anywayz.


I know the feeling. I think just because someone planted seeds in a pot once, they feel they are a gardener. Well, my article did pass, but I've probably made an enemy of one CE. I was pretty direct with the wording of my note. I was fully expecting a rejection on my note alone.

I wrote an article last week that said "build a one foot high mound and plant X plant in it to raise the plant's root system out of soggy conditions that are prone to flooding. Otherwise, X plant will die."

The CE writes back and said, "don't you mean plant X plant at ground level and then mound the dirt around it and over it". I was like what.....this is covering the damn plant up and it will die for sure. I knew the CE didn't even read the darn article to see why mounding was imperative. They admitted it on the second go around. I left my first "on the verge of nasty" note. They apologized, but I was like wow, read the darn article.

If my last two weeks of rewrites weren't so darn stupid, I wouldn't care. Everyone makes mistakes and I always have room for improvement, but I've been wanting to scream. Oh, better days are yet to come.

Joyce is not whining, Joyce is not whining, Joyce is not whining......I keep repeating this to myself. I've been sounding as bad as some of the regular DS whiners on their forum. :Soapbox:

[Angie]

Maybe when eHow gets cleaned up they may use it as an authoritive source.

Actually, I kinda doubt it will ever be an accepted resource for a DS article again. Think about it this way: You're reading two different magazines. Magazine A cites references outside their publishing family, like medical journals and educational resources. Magazine B just keeps citing other articles within their own publication. Which would you trust more? If I'm reading an eHow article that cites other eHow articles as references, I'm probably not going to trust it as much as another article that cites a university study.


I've been sounding as bad as some of the regular DS whiners on their forum.

Not by a long shot! ;) I don't even read their forum anymore, except the Studio News section. Too much negativity and drama to distract me from actual work.

[Words Are My Life]

I have one CE telling me I am wording something wrong for a medical condition that I have! I think I would know better than he/she.

[tpridgen]

Well, I sent a complaint message to help desk the other day expressing my frustration about some of the arrogant know-it-all CEs. I didn't expect anything to come of it, but I just wanted them to know how hard it is to write under certain conditions. The response didn't really give me the warm-fuzzies, but I didn't expect it to.

[stldenise]

Oh geez. I got a rewrite saying my article looked good, but the CE couldn't get into the captions to fix them. There were no instructions to say what was the matter (duh, I wrote it, I thought they looked fine) and worse yet...some of the captions were re-phrased. No major changes, so I couldn't tell what was bugging the CE.

I wonder if the CE couldn't see that the changes went through, or if there were more to make?

[joyce]

Oh geez. I got a rewrite saying my article looked good, but the CE couldn't get into the captions to fix them. There were no instructions to say what was the matter (duh, I wrote it, I thought they looked fine) and worse yet...some of the captions were re-phrased. No major changes, so I couldn't tell what was bugging the CE.

I wonder if the CE couldn't see that the changes went through, or if there were more to make?

I'd send this one up to the powers in charge to clarify what the CE wants. Otherwise, you'll probably be hit with a rejection if you send it back without changing stuff. Best of luck.

[FreelanceKen]

Yea, that needs clarification. Send that one up, not so much as an appeal just with a note asking what to do exactly.

I had a CE send one back for a rewrite where the CE rewrote the items and then asked me if it looked good. I sent back a reply saying, "Hey your the CE, whatever changes you make are fine by me". Thought it was kinda funny. I have one sitting in my work desk right now that the CE wants clarification on this and that. When they start quoting the guidelines, ya know ya got yourself a new CE. Oh well, tis the life of a DS writer..hahaha

OT: over 100,000 titles to work with now.

[joyce]

Yea, that needs clarification. Send that one up, not so much as an appeal just with a note asking what to do exactly.

I had a CE send one back for a rewrite where the CE rewrote the items and then asked me if it looked good. I sent back a reply saying, "Hey your the CE, whatever changes you make are fine by me". Thought it was kinda funny. I have one sitting in my work desk right now that the CE wants clarification on this and that. When they start quoting the guidelines, ya know ya got yourself a new CE. Oh well, tis the life of a DS writer..hahaha

OT: over 100,000 titles to work with now.

Yep, I just let one rewrite go because the CE quoted guidelines for about three paragraphs of their request. According to what they wrote, it seemed like I broke every DS guideline ever written. I could smell a rejection a mile away, so I decided to let the article die a slow death. After I had a fact sheet rejected this week because the CE hated my facts, I didn't want to take a chance on this weird rewrite request.

[caromora]

I got my first bizarre request. The CE didn't like how I'd ordered my references. It was a simple copy-paste fix but I kind of wondered why the CE didn't just do it herself. (Well, and why it bothered her in the first place.) She was super nice about it, though.

The CE who did my last article marked my grammar really low. And I mean, it must have been really low, since I went from a 4.5 to a 3-something. It ticks me off a bit because I know my grammar was solid. I meticulously go over my articles before I turn them in, and I'm a former editor. I can recite every grammar rule there is, and I still can't figure out what was wrong.

[plaidearthworm]

My rewrite this week was for an Overstock article, my first stab at one of those. Just a couple of minor changes, so I'm hoping it goes through. I did abandon a rewrite for a fact sheet last week, because it's not worth my time to completely change the angle of the article. Otherwise, I feel really good, because I wrote my first $20 articles, and I tried new publishers like Answerbag, Trails Travel and Overstock. Plus, I got to snatch up a bunch of Quick Guides the other day, woo hoo!

[FreelanceKen]

Well I am taking the rest of the weekend off. Going up to Luray and visit the mountains for the first of November. Gonna be a busy month between writing my daily DS quota, doing an in-depth analysis of eHow and starting NaNoWriMo (which I will be a day behind with).

Gonna post some pics of the mountains on the blog tomorrow evening. Just get a fresh new start to the month. First thing to do when I start...take care of a rewrite...lol

Hey all of you have a great Sunday.

BTW- Just a side note, I know we all want to keep our rewrites down but don't worry about it as far as the scorecard goes. The Big Trigger on the scorecard is rejections not rewrites. It has been noted by R.Lally that everybody gets rewrites, it is a part of being a writer. I am probably preaching to the choir here but don't let rewrite requests get you down or concerned about your status. Are they frustrating? Yes. Are some of them ridiculous? Yes But it is just part of what we do.

[Amelia23]

I did an article about vitamins for cancer patients. I did the rewrite as requested and they rejected it. The CE said that I did not cite my sources. I did inside the article, but apparently they do not show as a link. My other three reference places were used with my other reference materials. (If that makes sense) It was my first rejected article.

Is there any sense in asking for them to reconsider it? That was the only problem the CE found with my rewrite.

[Amelia23]

Joyce and FreelanceKen, thank you for your information on rewrites. I wrote one fact sheet and the CE was very nice, but she told me I did the entire thing wrong. (This was not my first fact sheet either.) It was about useable things to put in your compost bin. I wrote about several things to use, and they told me I was not to list anything. The items I did list, I told why they were needed in a compost bin. And yes, I have completely stressed out about rewrites. It came as a timely reminder.

[tpridgen]

Joyce and FreelanceKen, thank you for your information on rewrites. I wrote one fact sheet and the CE was very nice, but she told me I did the entire thing wrong. (This was not my first fact sheet either.) It was about useable things to put in your compost bin. I wrote about several things to use, and they told me I was not to list anything. The items I did list, I told why they were needed in a compost bin. And yes, I have completely stressed out about rewrites. It came as a timely reminder.

Sometimes it's really hard to avoid turning Fact Sheets into Lists, especially when the title asks for it!

Lists are fun to write, though. Easy $15.

[FreelanceKen]

I did an article about vitamins for cancer patients. I did the rewrite as requested and they rejected it. The CE said that I did not cite my sources. I did inside the article, but apparently they do not show as a link. My other three reference places were used with my other reference materials. (If that makes sense) It was my first rejected article.

Is there any sense in asking for them to reconsider it? That was the only problem the CE found with my rewrite.

I would send that one up. You are not going to get anything from it, however you may be able to get the rejection overturned and off your scorecard. Just explain that you thought you were doing the rewrite as suggested and that you did cite your sources. It may take a few days to hear back, but you got a 50/50 chance of getting it off.

BTW - OT - We just got back from Luray and the caverns. If ya'll get a chance stop by my blog and check out some of the pics. My wife took over 180. I only posted 18. I think her camera got a work out though.hahaha

[Angie]

Ken, those pictures - particularly the ones taken inside the caverns - are gorgeous. Your wife is a great photographer. ;)

[caromora]

Those pictures are gorgeous, Ken. I really love the skyline ones. :)

[Angie]

I was on hiatus from DS for awhile, and broke my golden rule about not checking the forums there because of all the negativity. Anyway, I noticed a lot of people grumbling about the new bio requirements and the time it takes to get new bios reviewed. But...mine went through within a couple of days, and I didn't even fill out the job history or educational sections. Anyone else have trouble getting theirs through? Maybe I just lucked out and should keep my mouth shut... ;)

[joyce]

I was on hiatus from DS for awhile, and broke my golden rule about not checking the forums there because of all the negativity. Anyway, I noticed a lot of people grumbling about the new bio requirements and the time it takes to get new bios reviewed. But...mine went through within a couple of days, and I didn't even fill out the job history or educational sections. Anyone else have trouble getting theirs through? Maybe I just lucked out and should keep my mouth shut... ;)

Mine went through too without any problems. I didn't even change a thing to it. I submitted the one I've used since hiring on there.

I'm so happy the CE hangup I was having trouble with a couple weeks back has stopped. All my articles are flying through once again without any problems. Good thing because I'm going camping Thursday and I wanted money. Oh how I can't wait to get into the woods and not think about working. I have a feeling "beer thirty" will be coming early. :D

[caromora]

I was on hiatus from DS for awhile, and broke my golden rule about not checking the forums there because of all the negativity. Anyway, I noticed a lot of people grumbling about the new bio requirements and the time it takes to get new bios reviewed. But...mine went through within a couple of days, and I didn't even fill out the job history or educational sections. Anyone else have trouble getting theirs through? Maybe I just lucked out and should keep my mouth shut... ;)

Mine took about three weeks. I didn't fill out the job history or educational sections either.

ETA: I'm not sure why people are so fraught about it. My bio not being approved didn't stop me from claiming articles or getting paid. As long as the articles are approved and money gets to my Paypal account, DS can take as long as they want for anything else, as far as I'm concerned.

[Angie]

I'm so happy the CE hangup I was having trouble with a couple weeks back has stopped. All my articles are flying through once again without any problems. Good thing because I'm going camping Thursday and I wanted money. Oh how I can't wait to get into the woods and not think about working. I have a feeling "beer thirty" will be coming early. :D

Sounds like fun! :D


ETA: I'm not sure why people are so fraught about it. My bio not being approved didn't stop me from claiming articles or getting paid. As long as the articles are approved and money gets to my Paypal account, DS can take as long as they want for anything else, as far as I'm concerned.

I agree. People there seem to get worked up about pretty much everything DS does. Any announced change turns the forums into Gloom & Doom Central. Sigh.

[plaidearthworm]

I only made a minor change to my bio, since they requested some sort of 'fun fact.' It took a little while, but like you said, I still got paid. So I'm happy. :)

[stldenise]

I changed my bio a long time ago when they requested (not required) more professional sounding bios. Then I got a note saying I needed to add the name of my school. It could be they asked for it because I just said I had a "journalism degree."

[Angie]

Ah, maybe that's why they didn't require my educational information -- I didn't mention it in my bio.

[SouthernFriedJulie]

It took a while for mine to get approved. I listed work and education, because I need it on there for some of my articles. I think it was about 2 weeks.

[SouthernFriedJulie]

Just checked my scorecard for November- my first 5 on both counts!

[FreelanceKen]

Just checked my scorecard for November- my first 5 on both counts!

:partyguy: Oh Yea!! It's a Party!!:partyguy:

[joyce]

Just checked my scorecard for November- my first 5 on both counts!

Congratulations! I experience that feeling for two days last month. I haven't had that feeling since.

Oh well, I'll be heading off to the woods tomorrow morning, so for now no more writing for a few days. Wilderness look out.....four middle aged women are about to enter. Hubby always tries to worry but I tell him four serial killers would be afraid to enter our campsite. I can't wait.

I hope DS treats everyone ok for the next few days and there's no more glitches. I only had one and it went through.

See you guys when I get back next week. Do a wolf howl for me.

[Words Are My Life]

I found out that I am good at writing "how to" articles. They have been flying through like hot cakes. I didn't do many of them at first thinking they would be difficult. But for some reason, I am writing them quickly and not getting any rewrites.

[stldenise]

Geez. I grabbed a bunch of easy looking gardening topics...one was on prunning a hosta for winter. I looked this up, there is very little on the topic, because you don't really HAVE to prune the dang plants, they die back on their own. You only prune them if you can't stand dead plants in your garden.

The CE gave it a rewrite because I wasn't detailed enough. Ok, how detailed do you need? I wrote for the first step:

Trim hostas to ground level with sharp household scissors or garden shears. Wait until late fall, when the leaves begin to die before pruning.

This seemed to pretty much cover it. Cut. The. Plant.

I was perplexed what else to say about the topic, so step two was to cover with mulch (the title is "how to prune hostas FOR WINTER"). I figured with a word like winter in it, the title is about putting the plants to bed for the season.

The CE didn't like that step, said it was unrelated to the whole prunning topic.

Now, I'll give the CE points for being thorough. He/She put an entire DS article in the editor's notes demonstating an article "with the kind of detail required."

Here it is:
Be more specific about how to trim the hostas. Are there certain branches that you trim? Or are you trimming everything to ground level? What type of cut.

Here's an example of an actual DS article with the kind of detail required:


Make cuts that are crisp and thorough, removing the frond without any tearing of fiber or lingering stem strands. Dispose of the frond in the outdoor compost pile or in the garbage, cutting large fronds into smaller pieces to fit in the rubbish bin if needed.

Step 3

Remove any leaflets that have browned or become diseased on healthy green fronds. You can snip the leaflet at the point where it attaches to the central petiole stem of the palm frond. Do not cut a leaflet in the middle, because the rest of the leaflet will yellow and die.

Step 4

Trim off any flowering structures as they emerge, if desired, before the flowers open and shed pollen. Remove them by making a crisp, singular cut at the base where the stem meets the trunk or frond stem.

Hmmmm, have you SEEN a hosta? It's a bunch of leaves that come out of the ground in a clump. There's no flowering structures, no fronds, no freakin' branches. JUST LEAVES. (Ok, they will throw out a flower, but that's not when they're half dead in late fall.)

UG. I could fix it up a little and make it more clear that you cut the damn plant down to the ground. Oh wait. I SAID THAT.

I'm tempted to copy most of this vent in the Comments to Editor section, then send it back as is.

Never pick DS titles that are easy. They'll bite you back.

[Angie]

Ugh, I hear you, Denise. I don't even pick topics that look like they're only going to be one step. They can tell you til they're blue in the face that 200 words is fine so long as it covers the topic, but just try submitting that word length, no matter how specific you are. I only take stuff that's more in-depth now because it winds up being less of a headache.

Good luck.

And congrats on your high marks, Julie!

[SouthernFriedJulie]

[crosses eyes]

I just mow'em. Personal preference? Dig them up and post on Freecycle. Pruning done. :-D Somehow I don't think that would make it through.

TY on the congrats guys. Felt nice- pretty sure quoting Darwin helped it along.

[tpridgen]

Denise, it's quite obvious that CE has never seen a hosta. (Depending on my mood, I probably would have accused them of as much when I sent the rewrite back - perhaps even sent them a link to a picture of one of the wilted things. Heck, I'll go outside and take a picture of my decrepit hosta right now if you need one.)

Which reminds me...editorial hasn't gotten back to me on a rewrite appeal for an article that'll expire today. I sent that sucker back like 4 days ago. Come ON now. I can't rewrite the article for a couple of reasons that should be obvious to them (it was a quick guide). Waste of time.

[caromora]

Okay, I just spent the morning going over my taxes. If I'd made two hundred dollars less per week in 2009, I would have made 748.80 more for the year because those 200 dollars popped me up into the next tax bracket. Basically, by working harder, I lost 62.40 a month.

It honestly does not pay to be a small business owner in the U.S. when taxes are so punitive. I'll have to get extremely creative with my deductions in 2010, I guess.

[Angie]

Ack, I don't even want to think about tax time. Even my "day job" this year was on an independent contractor basis. I made my quarterly payments, but I live in fear that I calculated them wrong and will have to pay a penalty. *sigh*

[tpridgen]

Okay, I just spent the morning going over my taxes. If I'd made two hundred dollars less per week in 2009, I would have made 748.80 more for the year because those 200 dollars popped me up into the next tax bracket. Basically, by working harder, I lost 62.40 a month.

It honestly does not pay to be a small business owner in the U.S. when taxes are so punitive. I'll have to get extremely creative with my deductions in 2010, I guess.

I did that math a few weeks ago. My husband makes okay money, so anything I make basically screws us unless it's toilet paper money.

[FreelanceKen]

You know there are new CEs when you get a note from one asking you to please describe what a.......wire looks like. Hats off to the CE, she does a great job being thorough but this is the first time I have ever had to explain in detail what a little wire looks like

[Amelia23]

I found out that I am good at writing "how to" articles. They have been flying through like hot cakes. I didn't do many of them at first thinking they would be difficult. But for some reason, I am writing them quickly and not getting any rewrites.

How do you do it? I wrote several How To articles, each the same way and suddenly they are coming back for complete rewrites. I wrote an article on how to cover plants in raised beds for the winter. Since there are several different ways, I told about each one, instead of picking out one like cover them with a tarp. I can't get 400 words out of that. Even if I could, it would not be interesting. And for the life of me, how do you write two sentences for 5 steps and get the 400 to 500 word limit? Can you write less words or will they send it back and I will have another rewrite?

Amelia23

[Angie]

Amelia: Don't worry too much about writing to a word count. They've said a few times that if your topic can be fully covered in 200 words, that's fine. On the other hand, if it takes 800 words to explain it properly, then it should be 800 words.

If you're asking about an article that's already in rewrite, though, I'd stick with the CE's suggestions or send it upstairs for clarification before sending it back, rather than risk rejection.

Hope that helps!

[SouthernFriedJulie]

I never count words. As long as the info is covered in each of the steps properly, doesn't matter. Knock on wood, never had something sent back for word count being too short. Had to trim a fact sheet once.


Funny thing, I must have had one of the new CE's check out an article last night because they quoted things at me. Not much of a re-write, but it was a bit of a downer since the others were flying through no problem. Still, good to know they're paying attention to the guidelines.

[tpridgen]

I've been slack-ass on writing the past week or so because I haven't felt well, but to log in and find a rewrite request that I file under the "Dude, what the hell are you talking about?" category irks me. My prose is clean--I don't write in jibberish (unless asked to). Most people who have all their neurons firing can read it and say, "Gotcha, chick." He/she must be reading between lines and editorializing on that mystery junk.

It looked like they were trying to find sh*t to point out to earn their pay. Not in the mood today. It's a 90-second "fix," but I'm hormonal and my claws are out. Caw!

[FreelanceKen]

I've been slack-ass on writing the past week or so because I haven't felt well, but to log in and find a rewrite request that I file under the "Dude, what the hell are you talking about?" category irks me.

I got ya beat on this one. I have two articles about servicing a piece of equipment. Each under different brand names in the title. I get a rewrite for not using the brand name enough AND a rewrite for using the brand name at all.. Huh?? One person wants the brand name more and then another doesn't want the brand name at all.......I'm sorry..my brain just got twisted going in a u-turn trying to understand that.:Shrug:

Simple fixes though, but just the principal of the matter.

[stldenise]

I got my first rejected article today. Yep, the hosta one. I've written 176 articles, and this is the first reject. I didn't change the 2nd step, but explained why I left it in in the notes. I wonder if they even read that stuff?

I think I'll go stick it in a eHow article, just to be annoying.

[stldenise]

Done. I changed the title (since I didn't write that) and copied my rejected text into an eHow article. I haven't written anything directly for eHow in months! In fact, I forgot I even have a profile over there until this morning when I got a payment email from them. I have 17 big fat articles over there that have earned about $25 dollars now! Whoo-woo!

I'll have to do that next time I get a questionable rewrite request.

[SouthernFriedJulie]

Done. I changed the title (since I didn't write that) and copied my rejected text into an eHow article. I haven't written anything directly for eHow in months! In fact, I forgot I even have a profile over there until this morning when I got a payment email from them. I have 17 big fat articles over there that have earned about $25 dollars now! Whoo-woo!

I'll have to do that next time I get a questionable rewrite request.

LOL! You go, Denise!

[lisake]

Done. I changed the title (since I didn't write that) and copied my rejected text into an eHow article. I haven't written anything directly for eHow in months! In fact, I forgot I even have a profile over there until this morning when I got a payment email from them. I have 17 big fat articles over there that have earned about $25 dollars now! Whoo-woo!

I'll have to do that next time I get a questionable rewrite request.

Good for you! Now I know exactly what to do when I get my first rejection. Fingers crossed, but I doubt it'll take 176 attempts like it did for Denise. ;-)

So far, I'm up to a whopping 10 articles accepted, and now I get to claim a new title every time I submit a finished piece. Yippee!

On a personal note, I just can't tell you all how much I appreciate all the great advice offered on these threads. It's helped me immensely. This has been a whirlwind year for me and my family. Hubby was laid off from his job in February, but at that point this full-time SAHM had a good freelance gig with my local newspaper. We got by for a couple of months b/c he fell back on the carpentry/home-repair work he previously did to put himself through college, and I picked up extra assignments at the paper. It was surprisingly easy for us being in the city we had lived in all our lives and having lots of friends and family to help us out (not financially, though; unfortunately no wealthy relatives in our family tree).

Then a couple of months later, DH was offered a job 500 miles away, in a city we'd never even visited. Good job and pay in trying times, so we moved, of course. DH, me, and two adorable girls, ages 6 and 4. No grandmas, no aunts, no cousins. Boo hoo. We put the house on the market there (after numerous expensive repairs and cosmetic improvements) and rented one here. Nearly six months later, no offers on the house, despite that fact that we've dropped the price three times and it's now priced nearly 20 percent below the latest appraisal. So the last six months of two house notes/rent payments, two utility bills, two insurance premiums, etc. have really taken a financial toll, and I had to find some work.

The newspaper here is growing thinner every day, and there's no sign of any freelance work. Not that I even had the time to work for the first few months here. No money for camps or childcare, so I spent (enjoyed, even) the summer with my girls. Went ahead and enrolled the 4-year-old this fall in a part-time preschool, which we couldn't afford. The credit card bills have been growing, as has my level of depression.

So I came back to trusty, friendly ole AW, where I hadn't visited in nearly a year. Found some good advice from people I trust (Hi, JenNipps and PlaidEarthworm, remember me from Eureka Springs last year?) Signed up for a couple of recommended content/SEO sites, and BOOM! I'm writing again and making a little money. Most importantly, I'm feeling good about things, and I think Santa might visit my girls after all.

Sorry to be so long winded. but right now I just love, love, love all you people and wanted to let you know.

Now, back to enjoying the warm fuzzies from this glass of wine, then off to bed so I can wake up at the butt crack of dawn and write some more DS How-To articles!

[Angie]

Lisake: Wow, you've had a heckuva year! So sorry to hear about all the upheaval and the trouble selling your house - this market sucks. Good luck with DS and I hope things straighten out for you and your family soon.

ETA: Why, oh why, did I avoid How-To articles for so long? I don't know why I was leery of them; I just was. I've been doing mostly Strategy and Abouts, but there weren't a lot of good titles in those formats the last time I grabbed them, so I picked up some How-Tos. If I'd known how fast they are to write, I'd have been doing them all along. :rolleyes:

[joyce]

I got my first rejected article today. Yep, the hosta one. I've written 176 articles, and this is the first reject. I didn't change the 2nd step, but explained why I left it in in the notes. I wonder if they even read that stuff?

I think I'll go stick it in a eHow article, just to be annoying.

The first one stings! I now have a total of four to my credit and I'm heading towards 800 articles completed. I knew better on every one and I never should have done the rewrite. When I was rejected on a fact sheet, I now steer clear of them. Every time it was something me and the CE didn't see eye to eye on. Now when I get that icky feeling, I don't do the rewrite. Usually I get the feeling it's a new CE.

At any rate, I'm back from a wonderful time camping and left the area just before tropical storm Ida hit. So far my articles have gone through without a problem, but I sit patiently waiting for the one that will make me want to pull my hair out. Speaking of pulling hair out.....I just had the pleasure of two really horrible haircuts. My long hair is now gone and my hair is two inches long. Menopause loves it, but I think hubby thinks he's married to a man. :)

[SouthernFriedJulie]

I could have sworn this rewrite from a new CE was going to result in a reject. Surprised when it went through. Yay!


Um. Joyce, did you name your dog Menopause?

[joyce]

Um. Joyce, did you name your dog Menopause?


:roll:It took me a moment to understand, but now that I do that's funny. No, I didn't name the dog that (what a great idea though) I was actually talking about the actual condition itself. I don't think the dogs give a darn though on how short my hair is, as long as they get food and love they'd take me bald.....which is what I presently feel like...but damn it's cool, temperature wise.

[caromora]

For the first time, I'm considering appealing a rewrite. The CE wants me to add more attributions throughout the article. Okay, that's doable. Except he/she wants them for crazy, common sense things. If I do the rewrite, every single sentence in the article will have "according to" (or some variance) in it.

I'm not sure whether I should appeal, let the rewrite go, or just shrug and do it.

[FreelanceKen]

wants them for crazy, common sense things. If I do the rewrite, every single sentence in the article will have "according to" (or some variance) in it.

I'm not sure whether I should appeal, let the rewrite go, or just shrug and do it.

If it were me, I would send it up but put in the email that you aren't really appealing just wanting some more clarification. Explain why like you did here. Sometimes the editorial dept. will email the CE saying let it go while other times they may send really good examples for you to try. Then decide from there whether to rewrite it or let it go.