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Wednesday, February 10, 2016

Stop Blaming the Client








Nearly daily I see someone ranting about being taken advantage of. Today it was another writer griping about being expected to write for free. He had written a 650-word sample, then sent a bill, and the client was shocked that he expected to be paid for the sample.

This could have easily been prevented, by the writer either offering his clips as samples or stating a price up front for a fresh sample written to the potential client’s specs. Neither happened, and the result was both the writer and the potential client being pissed.

I recently received a message from a potential client asking about my editing rates. She didn’t mention how she found me, or what she writes, or anything more.

I replied and offered a free ten-page sample edit, as I always do. This way the writer can see what I do and determine if it meets their needs, and I can see if the writer just needs a little help or a lot (and thus set my price), or even more help than I can offer. After the sample edit, either of us can opt out, no hard feelings.

The next email said the ten pages just happened to be the first two chapters. That’s all. No further comment. The attachment was sixteen pages.

I marked it up, correcting errors and leaving comments about things I liked and others I questioned.

I returned the chapters with a pleasant note, and received a response saying that she was busy but would look at it when she had time. 

Then the replies came. Not one email with commentary about all issues, but a separate email for each beef.

First I received a link to a product on Amazon, as proof that her spelling was correct. I ignored it. There was nothing I could say in response to using Amazon as a dictionary.

Next came a long explanation of powdered wigs and powder rooms. Then the difference in buggies and wagons. Oh, that.

They kept coming. I received an email saying that she introduced 21 characters in the first chapter because the book is part of a series (all published, by the way) and her fans like to know what the characters are up to; another saying her Word program is set to insert two spaces after punctuation, so something is wrong with mine/me.

By then, I was crying, but not because I felt I’d wasted my time or I’d been taken advantage of. Surely a writer friend was playing a joke on me, and it was brilliant.

I looked her up on Amazon. Indeed, she was real, and the book had already been published, along with many others.

One of her (few) reviews said that the grammar issues were so numerous that the book was difficult to read. The author (and I use the term loosely) replied to that review, saying that there were no grammar mistakes in the book, and clearly there was something wrong with the reviewer. However, that book now had the words Newly Edited Edition next to the title.

This was just getting better and better.

The final email said that her corrections to my errors were completed, and she agreed with the rest of my suggestions, so thanks.

I could only respond, “You’re welcome.” I knew she had no intention of hiring me, and she never had.

Then she made nearly every change I suggested in those first 16 pages and uploaded the new version to Amazon. I enjoy imagining her trying to collect enough sample edits to never have to pay, although she denies actually needing an editor.

This experience was odd, outrageous even, but I’m not pissed. Because it was my own fault. I don’t like being pissed at myself.

Had I suggested speaking by phone prior to offering a sample, I would have learned that the book was already published. I could have determined why she really wanted me to look at it (if she was truthful). I probably would have learned that she was argumentative and had no sincere desire to improve her manuscript. I could have declined prior to spending my time on her project. I could have done many things prior to offering my time for free. I failed.

I’ll just call it a lesson. And blog material.

Years ago, a mentor said to me that he used to be proud to say he could work with anyone, but now he was proud to say he didn’t have to. Amen, brother.

So whether writing for free (or peanuts) or feeling used and abused in business or life, think about it.

It’s true that we teach others how to treat us. 






18 comments:

  1. This made me want to punch something, and laugh out loud with snorts. I couldn't quite believe her attitude. Don't blame yourself into oblivion over this, and it looks as though you haven't. A lesson it is.

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  2. A lesson indeed! I think if we'd just trust gut instinct more often much trouble could be avoided : ) Thanks for visiting, Stella!

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  3. Really enjoyed that - didn't know whether to laugh or cry. I'm now getting better at identifying and warding off what I call 'brain-pickers' Love your attitude, Debbie.

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  4. Oh, I love your term "brain-pickers." Perfect. Thanks for coming by!

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  5. OMG. Well written and hard to read too. I am angry at that "client" as there is no call for asking for helping and then abusing the helper and I hear you, we do teach others how they can treat us. I suppose the best that can be said is that at least your client wasn't clever enough to mislead you into a whole book though I'm sure you would have figured her your given further exposure. Twenty one characters in the first chapter itself is a nightmare. Should she contact you again, please let me know. I will offer her my recipes for road kill stew and how to resole your own shoes as part of her effort to live life on the cheap. The words "areas wipe" come to mind.

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    1. Ha! Yes to road kill stew and resoles. I'm tellin' ya, I had to make a spreadsheet to track all those characters, and I hate making spreadsheets : ) Thanks for visiting!

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  6. I am astounded at the effort she has gone through to accomplish so little, and to throw away any pretense of integrity. On the other hand--that's one way to become famous. I'm sure you're not the only one who will tell her story!

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    1. Exactly. I hope Amazon has a participant ribbon, since there'll be no prize for quality here. I bet a few people have stories! She also likes to leave hateful reviews : )

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  7. Oh my goodness! People never cease to amaze me. I love your story, I love your fairness and healthy sense of humor.

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  8. Laughing AND crying AND raging! Gawd, people, people . I actually remember you making some late-night comments about this episode back when it was happening...but I had NO idea it was this outrageous! People be crayyyyyy. And you have the perfect attitude about it: "I’ll just call it a lesson. And blog material." Exactly!

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    1. Maybe my final email should have said, "I'm writing about this." heh. Thanks for the encouragement!

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  9. This was such a wonderful read. I'm truly sorry this happened to you, but I couldn't stop laughing. Totally unreal, and yet you're cool as a cucumber. Once again we have the benefit of a great read! Here's to blog material, great editors and humorous writers!!

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    1. Thanks so much, Via! I'm looking forward to the release of your series!

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  10. Proof positive that you are a better person than I. For I would have, most likely, told her to "go pound sand up your ass with a broken beer bottle!"
    That you remained calm and professional says a lot about you, kudos!!! I actually wrote a blog, kinda along the same lines about "Askholes" You know, those people that ask for your advise because you know a lot about a certain subject. Then turn around and do the exact opposite of what you told them then want to argue in support of their foolish unwise decision!

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    1. Too funny! I must find that Askholes post. BTW, google + wouldn't let me reply to your comment there, because I'm not a member of that blogging group…huh?

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  11. I teach 1-0n-1 computer instruction for Community Education and on my own. Bad things have happened when I hire out my services to a person working their own small business from their home. I drive to their house with them knowing I charge $20 per hour. "Can you come back to train me some more," they ask, "and I will pay you then. I come back, do my teaching, and when it's time to get paid they say they need to mail me a business check from their accountant or they try to get me to reduce the charge dramatically. I am still waiting for that check and It really rankles that I have to push to get what they had agreed to pay me. So you are not alone. Thankfully more good than bad happens. I enjoy your blogging, dear writing friend.

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    1. Gayla, this sounds too much like the writer who wanted my help, but didn't intend to pay. I've hired a computer guy to come over, and I can tell you he charged much more, with a set minimum. I can't even imagine telling him I'd pay him next time. Good grief. Agreed that more good than bad happens, and we can only learn from the bad. Thanks for coming by!

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