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How the letter 'A' makes me glad I run my own business

by Peter Bestel
14 replies
I stumbled across this journalists blog today and whilst I had a good laugh, it made me happy that I'm self-employed and all decisions are ultimately mine (and my wifes!)

Read Giles Coren's letter to Times subs | Media | guardian.co.uk

If you're offended by VERY strong language then you're best not to read it.

He actually makes some very valid points about copy though, so there are lessons to be learned too.

How about that, humour AND education in one post!

Peter
#business #glad #letter #makes #run
  • Profile picture of the author Steven Wagenheim
    Peter, absolutely the BEST laugh I have had in a very long time.

    I so love the way that guy writes.

    Reminds me of me when I get a little perturbed.
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    • Profile picture of the author wandererw
      Not sure whether to laugh or to cry.
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      $5,000 per month by Jan 2009 - Will I succeed or will I crash and burn?
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    • Profile picture of the author Peter Bestel
      Originally Posted by Steven Wagenheim View Post

      Peter, absolutely the BEST laugh I have had in a very long time.

      I so love the way that guy writes.

      Reminds me of me when I get a little perturbed.
      So are we going to see the REAL Steven Wagenheim on this forum? Do you think you'd last long with a similar writing style and turn of phrase?

      The irony of this is my post comments on being glad I'm my own boss, and yet this guy is more than likely self-employed himself!! Guess we gotta choose our contracts wisely!

      Peter
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      • Profile picture of the author Anthony J Namata
        Intense stuff! But he may well be a self-employed freelance writer, which means that could've happened to anybody. I suppose.
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        • Profile picture of the author braver55b
          Yes you warned me about the "saucy" language.

          He is an angry vile jerk.

          Alot of that is just gratuitous bravado.
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          • Profile picture of the author Peter Bestel
            Originally Posted by braver55b View Post

            Yes you warned me about the "saucy" language.

            He is an angry vile jerk.

            Alot of that is just gratuitous bravado.
            I appreciate your point of view, but I kinda warmed to him! lol

            I felt myself rallying around him, you know, the little guy wanting to make his statement against the big newspaper guys.

            I'd never talk / write like that. I'd handle it in a very different way. But maybe there's a tiny part of me that would like to say the things he said - maybe just once.

            Peter
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            • Profile picture of the author JayXtreme
              Originally Posted by Peter Bestel View Post

              I appreciate your point of view, but I kinda warmed to him! lol

              I felt myself rallying around him, you know, the little guy wanting to make his statement against the big newspaper guys.

              I'd never talk / write like that. I'd handle it in a very different way. But maybe there's a tiny part of me that would like to say the things he said - maybe just once.

              Peter
              Thanks for posting Peter.. and you're right.. there are lessons to be learned..

              Giles is a legend you know....

              A whole bunch of folks could learn a ton of stuff from Mr Coren... he had an ultimate goal for that piece and they destroyed it..

              It's like when somebody rips off your article's as an article marketer... for them to change it around a little bit for re-submission is like like putting a fallen tree on a motor way... you are obstructing the journey of the writing.. which is what the sub-ed's did to Giles... what they did was "shit"...

              Peace

              Jay
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              Bare Murkage.........

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            • Profile picture of the author Nick Brighton
              From what I've learned in the offline publishing industry, this type of expressionism is the daily norm. I hugely doubt the editors even squirmed.

              It takes a certain amount of arrogance to react in such a way, but welcome to the UK, welcome to journalism, welcome to the UK press, welcome to pompous writers who, although have a very valid point, fail to realize that the number one rule in publishing is providing proofs prior to publications.

              ...that is the real school boy error. So therefore, I have little sympathy for the pretentious fool...

              ...and yes, I am a UK born and bred.
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            • Profile picture of the author Kim Standerline
              Originally Posted by Peter Bestel View Post

              I'd never talk / write like that. I'd handle it in a very different way. But maybe there's a tiny part of me that would like to say the things he said - maybe just once.

              Peter
              I dunno I'd like to say them a lot to some of the half wits I have to work with. I'm known for writing emails then having a coffee etc before I send em. (Sending abusive emails aint actually condoned in the NHS for some weird reason)

              Did you read the reply
              Sunday Times subeditors reply to Giles Coren | Media | guardian.co.uk

              Kim
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              • Profile picture of the author JayXtreme
                Originally Posted by Kim Standerline View Post

                I dunno I'd like to say them a lot to some of the half wits I have to work with. I'm known for writing emails then having a coffee etc before I send em. (Sending abusive emails aint actually condoned in the NHS for some weird reason)

                Did you read the reply
                Sunday Times subeditors reply to Giles Coren | Media | guardian.co.uk

                Kim

                LOL.... thanks for that Kim...I didn't see the reply before..

                Jay
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                Bare Murkage.........

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                • Profile picture of the author ExRat
                  Hi,

                  So is Paul Myers his sub-editor? Apologies Paul, it wasn't quite up to your standards but there were shades in there.

                  I'm not sure about the relevance of the broken CAPS key on the writer's keyboard though. Is it similar to using CAPS to demonstrate shouting, but instead using child-like lack of CAPS to demonstrate anger/tourette's?

                  Have I just made a wombat out of myself?
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                  Roger Davis
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              • Profile picture of the author Nick Brighton
                Originally Posted by Kim Standerline View Post

                I dunno I'd like to say them a lot to some of the half wits I have to work with. I'm known for writing emails then having a coffee etc before I send em. (Sending abusive emails aint actually condoned in the NHS for some weird reason)

                Did you read the reply
                Sunday Times subeditors reply to Giles Coren | Media | guardian.co.uk

                Kim
                Yeah....

                "We'd hate that to happen to you, because you can actually write, and having "Giles Coren is a sanctimonious little twat who needs to get over himself" could be quite costly in T-shirt lettering. Subs are no more infallible than writers. So, let's all try a little mutual respect, shall we?"

                That brought tears of pride to my eyes. Now THAT is how to silence someone who's above their station in an argument...

                That is quality. A dignified, intelligent, yet somewhat stabbing response. Beautiful.
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                • Profile picture of the author Kim Standerline
                  Originally Posted by Nick Brighton View Post

                  Yeah....

                  "We'd hate that to happen to you, because you can actually write, and having "Giles Coren is a sanctimonious little twat who needs to get over himself" could be quite costly in T-shirt lettering. Subs are no more infallible than writers. So, let's all try a little mutual respect, shall we?"

                  That brought tears of pride to my eyes. Now THAT is how to silence someone who's above their station in an argument...

                  That is quality. A dignified, intelligent, yet somewhat stabbing response. Beautiful.
                  Yeah I liked that

                  Makes you proud to be British lol

                  Kim
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              • Profile picture of the author Peter Bestel
                Originally Posted by Kim Standerline View Post

                Thanks for pointing that out Kim, a very witty riposte.

                Peter
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                • Profile picture of the author Kevin Riley
                  Peter

                  Thanks for pointing out this letter. Had a great laugh, and totally agree with the writer. I'd be sharpening the disemboweling cutlasses if somebody touched my copy.
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                  Kevin Riley, long-time Warrior living in Osaka, Japan

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