Test Project? What They’re Looking For…
Smart employers of freelancers do what are best labeled as test projects, a smaller amount of less critical (yet nevertheless real and for pay) work meant to gauge and evaluate the freelancer in ways not readily apparent in clips and other writing samples. Doing well obviously opens the door for bigger, more lucrative projects with that employer.
And if all you think the employer is looking for is well-written work… hehehe. Not only should pumping out quality output be a foregone conclusion for everything you do, that’s very easy to see in your clips and samples anyway… you won’t make it as far as even a simple low budget test project if you write poorly.
When I used to edit magazines and hire freelancers regularly, here are the two things I really was evaluating the prospective freelancer for:
Punctuality. Probably the most important thing I was testing for — your ability to deliver the goods when I tell you I want it… a delivery date/time you most probably agreed to when the assignment was first given to you.
This punctuality thing should be obvious, yes? Then why oh why did at least 75% of all the freelancers I test hand their work in late? And this was less critical and smaller work! Well, maybe they would have done better with bigger, more critically important, higher paying assignments. Wouldn’t know… guess how many of the lates got another assignment from me.
Editability. I don’t think that’s even a real word, but it’s what I use to describe the freelance writer’s ability to work with an editor. Frankly, many writers are pains-in-the-you-know-what when being edited. (Some can’t even be proofed, let alone edited!) You know who you are… quit it. Or don’t plan on eating too many meals without getting a day job. Life choices can be this simple sometimes.
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10 Responses to “Test Project? What They’re Looking For…”
By Maria Louisa Alcantara on Nov 9, 2007 | Reply
I very strongly disagree with you’re last point! In my experience most editors are frustrated writers who do nothing but mangle my work!
I spend a lot of time on every word and turn of phrase! I refuse to let some failed writer tell me how it should be fixed. It doesnt need fixing!
MaLu
By Wordpreneur on Nov 9, 2007 | Reply
Don’t hold back MaLu… tell us what you really think.
You may very well be right about editors. However, don’t know, don’t care. What I do know is which side of the table has the checkbook and who signs the checks.
Does your byline bring in readers/advertisers? Is there a shortage of other freelancers who can compete for your writing assignments? Does daddy own the magazine? No? If you can still maintain your stance, more power to you.
The rest of us may be better served by trying to be a bit less obstinate and a bit more professional.
ees
By silverlokk on Nov 9, 2007 | Reply
Erhm,MaLu, writers who use “you’re” where “your” is correct *deserve* to have *their* (not they’re) work “mangled”. As to my own experience with editors: I’m an editor myself, and I’d like to believe that I can write. I’ve worked with at least four other editors, and they can write as well. None of them have mangled my work. In fact, I’ve met good writers who couldn’t edit their way out of a paper bag.
By Misti Sandefur on Nov 11, 2007 | Reply
First time here… I was just referred by another blogger, and I’m glad I followed the link — great tips here.
Now for my response: I’ve yet to have an editor “mangle” my work. In fact, if you just listen and apply their advice to your writing, you can improve in the areas you’re having trouble with. For example, I use to misuse the words “did” and “done” often, but I didn’t realize it until an editor pointed it out to me one day. Not only did she point it out, but she also told me the correct way to use the words and gave me links for additional information. I’m so happy she did, because now I use the two works correctly… I hope.
Personally, I’m always working to do my best, and in order to be a good writer, I listen to my editors and follow their advice. No, I won’t let an editor take my story and totally change it, but I’m willing to listen and be respectful with them. After all, they have a job to do as well.
By Wordpreneur on Nov 12, 2007 | Reply
Thanks for your input, Silverlokk and Misti. I don’t know MaLu, but I wouldn’t be too hard on her. Her viewpoint isn’t exactly uncommon. Although we know better. So at the end of the day, it really matters not.
ees
By Solomon on Nov 13, 2007 | Reply
Hi!
I’m glad I’ve been directed by writing thoughts to your blog saying good words about you. I liked your blog which is full of resourceful information. I’m a copywriter with 9 yrs. of experience.
My journey as a writer has taken roots with a patient editing by my mentor Fr. Gordon in college days. I cherish his red marks on a white sheet. I hope to learn more from you too!
Thanks for the good posts!
Solomon
By Wordpreneur on Nov 13, 2007 | Reply
Welcome, Solomon. Glad you could join us!
ees
By Jeanne Dininni on Nov 14, 2007 | Reply
You make some very good points about the tendency of many writers to be extremely defensive about their work and touchy about any changes made to it. To these writers, any critique of their work amounts to criticism of their ability as writers. They need to lighten up and look at the editor’s suggested changes more objectively, since the editor’s only aim is to provide the best possible finished product–and since, one would assume, that’s also what the writer would like to provide.
While I have had a few editors seriously “mangle” my work (mainly newspaper editors working under much stricter deadlines and space constraints than most editors are required to contend with), I’ve found that such “editors” are few and far between. I must admit, however, that when I do encounter them, I can’t help but wonder how they got the job.
Thanks for a great post!
Jeanne
By Wordpreneur on Nov 15, 2007 | Reply
Hello Jeanne, welcome to the site!
There are good editors, and there are bad. Nobody’s perfect, so always keep originals.
A good working MO may be to simply be less sensitive with edits to articles, but be a lot more Mother Hennish with the bigger stuff, with more permanence, like books.
ees
By The Story Ideas Virtuoso on Apr 28, 2008 | Reply
The late Isaac Asimov was one of the most prolific writers of the 20th century, best known for his science fiction writing (he was also a collegiate Science professor and writer) and for having a colossal ego. Yet he had tremendous respect for editors. He said that editors NEVER failed to make his work better. If someone of his stature and ego can say that, who are the rest of us to naysay him?
My experience as a writer is that the words I hold most dear are generally the ones that need to go when it’s time for me to edit. It feels like killing your own child, but it’s not that at all. It’s more like pruning a fruit-bearing tree.
Lopping off the deadwood, cutting away water sprouts, and pinching off every other fertilized blossom — these seem like brutal acts of violence. Yet once drastic measures have been meted out, the tree becomes stronger, more vigorous, and won’t become overladen with small, undesirable fruit. Instead, it will produce fewer fruits that are healthy.
The truth is, falling in love with our own words is a huge ego trap. There is ALWAYS another way to say something that conveys the same meaning. Writers are seldom objective enough about their own work to do that final, elegant bit of pruning. Writers write, editors edit, buyers buy, readers read. Sounds like a good system to me.
Deb Gallardo