I had quite a week this week. I completed interviews and writing for a fantastic article on nurses with addictions. Handed it in on time and everything. Only….I’d contracted to write a story on drugs that combat addictions. Oy and vey! said this Irish chick. I spent the better part of Wednesday and Thursday fixing my mistake.
When the editor realized the mistake and contacted me, she asked me to let her know as soon as possible if this was something I was able to accomplish in a short amount of time, or if it was something I wanted to do. To me, there was no question – my mistake, my responsibility. I fixed it. I scrambled, dug for interview subjects who could talk immediately, looked for research, and wrote furiously, but I fixed it. Self-induced stupidity is not someone else’s problem. My weekend was now hers if need be – I forfeit the right to one if I botch something. My other projects were suddenly on hold as this project took top priority.
Oh, I’d toyed with the idea of walking away, but only briefly. When the dust settles, we’re all left with just our honor and our reputations as writers. The hand we feed now may be one that feeds us in return sometime in the future. At least, that’s how I see it. I don’t bail. It’s against my nature and I’d be more stressed and bothered if I’d left someone hanging – someone I’d committed to.
How about you? Have you messed up and had to fix something? How have you responded?
I think you handled it with professionalism and integrity. I’d have done the same.
Anytime I’ve made an error I drop everything and fix it straight away and I think that has helped clients be a little more forgiving.
Did you save the wrong article though for another time? At least the error doesn’t have to be a complete write off. Sounds like it might be a good magazine pitch for American Journal of Nursing or something like that.
Cheers,
Dana
^^I agree, Dana. Yes, Lori, I’ve been in your shoes. I know about those fleeting thoughts of running away from the mistake. But like you I just apologize, accept the responsibility and correct it right away. I don’t waste time making excuses – it doesn’t fix the situation. That’s how I like to be treated. Just accept responsibility for the problem, fix it and we’re good.
Great job, Lori.
And now you have another article on a fascinating topic which you can also sell.
Remember, it’s Mercury retrograde — misunderstandings abound!
Mercury’s gonna kill me, Devon. :)) It’s probably a good thing we weren’t able to meet for lunch today – this is something I needed to wrap up ASAP. Means I’ll be more relaxed when we do! :))
The reason I wanted to run? I had already decided this was my last article for this pub because of the pay rate. They’re good people, but they don’t pay very well. I couldn’t get a higher rate out of them, either. That was the only reason I’d have walked away, but I couldn’t validate that since I’d already accepted the contract at that rate. Commitments, you know.
Dana, I did save the other article and I’m sending it around now. Hopefully it will find a new home. The one interview subject was great – she had a good laugh at my expense, which is better than anger and outrage any day. :))
You did exactly what I would have done. Any time I make a blunder, I freak out about it and drop everything to fix it right away. Same day, if it’s possible. I completely agree with you–if it’s my mistake, the client should never have to pay for that in money or time. I think it’s the only way to go.
So nice to see a person taking responsibility for their own actions or mistakes. A rarer and rarer thing today. Great post.
Thanks, Angie. All the credit goes to my parents for raising me well. 🙂 Please tell me it’s not THAT rare!
Lori, looks like you have the same mentality that I do. I messed up, I fix it. That is where the 7P’s come from in the Navy. Prior Propper Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance. Since I messed up, I should not be given any extra time to fix it. It was nice that your client offered though. I would keep them around at all costs.