Messing up big time

+ new grants, fellowships, events and more

I was planning a wedding.

I was parenting and working full-time.

I definitely did not have time for this guidebook writing assignment. I shouldn’t have said yes. But I wanted it. I wanted the paycheck and the byline and I saw it as an opportunity to transition to full-time freelancing, even though I’d have to get it all done before leaving my job. So I told myself I’d figure it out. And then I messed up big time.

Let’s start with this: Travel guidebook writing is unlike any other type of writing I’ve ever done. It can be a lot of fun once you know what you’re doing. When you’re new to the game, it can be a real slog. Even when you’re not totally new to the game, it can be a slog.

Guidebooks, in general, contain a ton of information, from the operating hours of every restaurant to an overview of the place’s history and its present vibe, which are very hard to describe in a meaningful way without spending significant time there. You have to manage a big research trip, take very thorough notes, then fit it all into a a very specific layout, governed by a very lengthy style guide. Margins are slim for making the time and money of it all work in your favor. The writing style can be pretty straightforward, but if you’re someone who values unique insights and avoiding cliches, then you have to be creative in how you use your available sections and words. (Now that I’m describing it, it’s actually very fun once you get the hang of it!)

So when it came time for our kickoff meeting to discuss expectations and changes to this particular guidebook, I had a nail appointment. My wedding was that weekend. The editor said it was fine if I missed the meeting, as long as I went through all of the materials they were covering on my own and let her know if I had any questions.

Photo by Eastman Childs on Unsplash