How’s it going? I came across something really simple that other people had discovered–so much so, it almost confused me.
Let’s get to it.
I was on Facebook today (funny how that starts these posts every now and again), when I came across a rant post. Apparently, a woman wanted to hire out some writing, and used an FB job board I’m a member of (I actually remembered part of the post, and because I wasn’t familiar with the subject, I didn’t reply).
Anyway, she said a lot of people wouldn’t/couldn’t follow directions when messaging her. After finally getting someone who got to the test stage, she experienced a new set of headaches.
This someone said they were going to miss the deadline for the test piece, after they agreed to it. They were behind, they said.
Oh, and they spelled this lady’s name wrong in their email to her.
She lamented that it was as simple as do what you say, when you say you will.
Writers are notorious for missing deadlines–I thought that was some folktale or other. Even though I’d had my suspicions, based on emails I’ve read from others and Facebook posts like this.
So hit those deadlines (see first syllable of that word).
In my other life as an editor, that’s why I asked for time off plenty of time in advance (for vacations and such). I’m all for giving the other party lots of time to make other arrangements or rearrange other stuff if I can’t be there.
If I was having tech problems, I said so. If I was sick (as soon as I could get to a keyboard) I said so.
That’s also why I’m not perfect (but I know you know that already).
By the way, one of the only successful deadline extensions I’ve ever seen happened before the project started.
And it was requested by somebody else I was working with. If you need an extension, before things are set up is about the only time you can do it.
Without getting other people upset that is.
Until next time,
Ty
