Again, that’s for taking the time to comment on my blog.
Have a great day!

If I were to reveal more specific information regarding my professional credentials, it may reveal my identity in which case I could be disqualified so I will leave it at that.

When I used the term struggling, I mean it in a broader sense. Even the most successful writer struggles regardless of experience or genre:

- deadlines
- securing assignments
- finding markets
- making sure payment is received
- writer’s block
- finding a publisher
- finding an agent

The list is endless and it is ongoing despite a writer’s level of success.

I appreciate your comments.

Yes, in part, the angle I was trying to express is that I am just like every other writer – I work hard everyday to keep my writing business afloat but I am willing to share my knowledge and experience with others in hopes that it will help another writer to succeed to the next plateau.

I think many writers can relate to another writer who is successfully climbing their way out of the trenches but is still in jeopardy of getting sucked back in. We all have a lot to learn from each other and hopefully, I can be part of that process.

But I think the intent of the post & comments have generated at least 12 different topics.

I also think #2 has done a nice job of keeping in the game, shown skill, and probably deserves the chance to springboard his/her blogging at FWJ with those 12 posts. Especially if it has scared off others.

The intent of blogging is to arouse the spirit of conversation, spark social interaction, and keep readers from traveling elsewhere.
This has been done.
Well done to all!

With that said, I think the rest of the candidates have been scared off after the events of this morning…;-)

I think there might be a bigger lesson here than active/passive speak and typos. The beginning of this post started off by painting a picture of someone who is still struggling. Struggling is fine, because we all struggle. But this isn’t something I’d advertise in my “why you should hire me to benefit your blog” post unless the angle you’re going for is that you’re just one of the guys, able to relate to all of us struggling freelancers out there. it’s a good angle. But then, talk changes to past experience of mentoring and the ability to blog for writers on all levels. I suppose I’m more confused than anything else. What’s your angle? What can you really do for us? Commiserate with us about our struggles, or mentor us while you yourself are still struggling?

So my problem with this post isn’t the occasional typo or the other issues Argh pointed out. My issue would be that despite the fact that I’ve enjoyed this candidate’s posts, this particular pitch made me lose confidence somehow. Maybe I just need more coffee.

I don’t mean this as a personal attack against this writer. I hope it doesn’t come off that way.

totally in agreement with what Deb said, as I too am the worst offender and should slow down.

But I will say, comments do not fall into the category of a professional post. or do they? good question.

Secondly, to ‘argh a lot’ (James): In the midst of your proofreading frenzie, you neglected to proofread your own work, your first comment contained an error, criticism was incorrect and in one of your later comments, the word ‘proof’ was misspelled. Perhaps I should have pointed that out after I read your first comment last night and it might have put an end to this whole conversation. Although your comments are noted and appreciated, your delivery is somewhat unprofessional.

Again, I apologize for any errors in my blog this week, however, there was no need to crucify my blog and I hope you will spare any other blogger’s work your red pen treatment.

It takes a lot of courage and perseverance for all bloggers in this contest and kudos to all candidates, past and present, who were brave enough to enter and put their wares out there for all to read and judge.

Argh/James – I appreciate your honesty more than you know. I also respect that you owned up to the fake name and addressed all the questions. Thank you. I don’t know what was in the deleted comment but you are right about checking posts. I’m actually the worst offender – with my hands in so many pots I give my posts a quick once over and find typos later after I come back and re-read. Not a good practice at all. In fact, my editor at my full time job had to talk to me about slowing down and proofreading before I hit “publish”.

#4 – I think criticism is fine as long as people don’t go overboard in their delivery. This would be a boring world if everyone agreed and I love spirited discussions. In fact, i encourage spirited discussions as long as they’re conducted in a respectful manner. And you’re right, anyone who blogs here has to be able to handle constructive criticism – which is one of the reasons for this contest. We want to see how well each candidate interacts with the community.

So carry on…and have a nice day.

With that said, I’m not sure why everyone is up in arms about argh a lot‘s comments. Sure, Deb and Jodee always try to limit or eliminate comments that are overtly nasty, but you can bet that if you become a blogger for this site, you’re going to have to deal with comments like that in some capacity. Some of the commenters above even seem to have objections to posting any kind of criticism, which I think is misguided. Criticism, especially when constructive (and sometimes when not!), can help all of us become better writers and become more targeted with our posts. That’s especially important in a contest like this, when we candidates are trying to learn what the FWJ community wants to see from us.

It’s a good lesson on the importances of proofreading. When I’m in a hurry I tend to rush through the proofing myself. There are ways to convey this without being harsh. I believe in the get more flies with honey philosophy, myself.

I’m still curious why you used a fake name to make your comments. If Deb’s comment is correct you usually post here under your real name. That you didn’t use it this time speaks volumes.

#2, your post was good, I just felt it necessary, for some reason, maybe my one of my editors blasted into me too much today. I don’t know.

But I just felt compelled to point out, not point at you, the need for us to examine posts before they go out. I know we all don’t have editors to proff our posts, but simple re-reads can catch some things.

And I will post my name: james, and web: http://www.jameskoopmann.com. I don’t feel I have ultimate power by using an alias. I selected my words very carefully without intent to harm.

I’m not saying all comments have to be rosy. But it’s the wish of this community and the FWJ blogging team that we keep it respectful.

I find it interesting you didn’t feel confident enough in your criticizing remarks to use your real name – the one you usually use when you post here and the one on your website. People get a lot bolder with an alias, don’t you think? By all means, hide behind another name but please be mindful of the power you feel it gives you – and be mindful we’re not as anonymous as we think.

Carry on, Cowboy, and have a nice day.

It is good to see some replys have also found tidbits about this post that cuts at our profession.

Thanks to FWJ if this comment actually gets ‘approved’ on an ‘open forum’

On a more serious note, I realize this is an open forum, and that when people post a blog entry they put themselves on the line for criticism. But is it really necessary to tear apart an aspiring candidate’s entry in such a manner? It’s a good thing there is not an ‘Edit’ feature, or I fear you would have slashed and burned your way through this entry with the dreaded red pen of old.

I guess I just feel that if you don’t have something nice or constructive to say, then why bother posting and tearing into someone, when your best voice is your vote.

Just my humble opinion.

@#2 — Hang in there and don’t let one ding get you down!