Wendy, that's a real threat. I'm very glad you were able to convince him he'd never hired you (I think he's the fool for not realizing that, but I digress).

Jen, I've had that work for me a few times. I agree. The one time my explanation didn't wash was on a job in which three other writers had failed before me. It was clear the issue wasn't with my work but their own clarity.

Fat Bastard, I'm leaving your post up, but next time try interacting, not just self-promotion.

Please visit my blog Medical Holocaust and pass it onto others. People are DYING!

http://medicalholocaust.blogspot.com/

US health care is is the leading cause of death and injury. Please help stop it.

Thank you, CG Brady AKA Fat Bastard.

So what I do is take a deep breath, take a walk, have a glass of wine, do something to calm down. Later I take a look at what they're REALLY upset about (I generally don't see it at first because I'm just reacting to their reaction). Usually it's something TINY and totally flxable. In rare cases it's a bigger problem, usually having to do with some sort of misunderstanding between what the client said they wanted and what they actually wanted, or between what the client thought he was getting and what he got. Then the key is to explain–don't be afraid to defend your choices. Usually, once they hear your defense, they'll back down and even come to agree with you–I've been surprised at how often just being SLIGHTLY willing to defend myself has gotten people to come around.

Paula, emails are like gold sometimes, aren't they? Good thing you had that! I bet you never got an apology, either. I had one dude scream bloody murder and accuse me of lying to him when I superimposed the numbers when giving him a to-date word count. Seriously, he went to the moon and beyond. When I wrote back and apologized for my typing mistake, complete with the file showing exactly what the word count was, he said this: "Yes, I thought maybe that happened. No worries." Ah, excuse me? You called me a liar and acted like a classic heel and that's all you have to say? We didn't work together again – MY choice.

Chocolate and Guinness do sound like the ideal mix, though I reserve the Guinness for my Irish stew recipe, Hugh. Here's a better combo – chocolate and raspberry wine. Oh my word!

Chocolate. Sweet, delicious chocolate. Preferably by the case.

Followed by a Guinness or two (or 11).

Works like a charm.