Mariah, lots of people are unqualified to write on certain subjects. The New York Times' science correspondent does not a PhD in astrophysics, yet he's asked to write on the subject and, worse, make it easy for anyone to read it ... all within a day or two (sometimes).
Look at this assignment as more of a test -- your editor probably is. You need to ask a lot of questions, and that can be difficult. When i was a reporter I had so much pride that I didn't want my subject to know that I didn't understand something. That made my work extremely difficult, so I learned to ask and ask and ask until I got it down. Don't be afraid to repeat things back to the interviewee and say, "So, is that the gist of what you're saying?"
This will be a challenging assignment, but you have to do it all on your own. Of course, your dad can help point you in the right direction with some sources or whatnot, but I would try to do as much as you can by yourself. That's what freelancers are expected to do elsewhere.
I see what you're saying, but writing about something I'm not an expert on isn't the problem. I would be more than happy to research the world of tapeworms for Parasite Monthly, that kind of thing isn't what got me down here. It's that the request smacks of underhandedness. It would be like asking Marie Curie's kid to do a little something about Radium. Why not just ask Madame Curie herself since little Bojack Curie has a degree in English from a state university. But Everyday Isotopes Magazine knows that Marie won't let Bojack look like an idiot and will use her vast knowledge and expertise to help the dude. E.I. Mag is the winner (also the children) because they get Marie's brain at Bojack's reasonable rate.
Maybe I am off base here in feeling slighted. Perhaps editor isn't trying to get Dean's expertise for 1/2 the price. Perhaps editor really does think I can do anything (as he says). Who knows.
As an aside, I'm going to do the article.
There is no excuse, however, for the fridge full of olives and coleslaw.
Comments 6
Look at this assignment as more of a test -- your editor probably is. You need to ask a lot of questions, and that can be difficult. When i was a reporter I had so much pride that I didn't want my subject to know that I didn't understand something. That made my work extremely difficult, so I learned to ask and ask and ask until I got it down. Don't be afraid to repeat things back to the interviewee and say, "So, is that the gist of what you're saying?"
This will be a challenging assignment, but you have to do it all on your own. Of course, your dad can help point you in the right direction with some sources or whatnot, but I would try to do as much as you can by yourself. That's what freelancers are expected to do elsewhere.
Good luck!
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Maybe I am off base here in feeling slighted. Perhaps editor isn't trying to get Dean's expertise for 1/2 the price. Perhaps editor really does think I can do anything (as he says). Who knows.
As an aside, I'm going to do the article.
There is no excuse, however, for the fridge full of olives and coleslaw.
Reply
Eat more 'slaw.
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