Nice people thread part 3- Nice as pie

GDB2222

That sounds like fun - 300 words is hardly anything. What sort of publications require short articles like that?

lostinrates

GDB2222 wrote: »

That sounds like fun - 300 words is hardly anything. What sort of publications require short articles like that?

Short ones. Or long ones with lots to squeeze in.

PasturesNew

Just wondering what 300 words looks like, so I figured, for the benefit of the nice people thread I'd create a posting that contained 300 words. Now, it starts off not sounding a lot doesn't it, but it's like that old game of having to talk non-stop about a given subject for 3 minutes non-stop. I never actually played that game, but I'm aware of it - and I know I'd probably either go completely dumb, or have to be gagged after the 3 minutes is up. 300 words - what does that look like? Well, I'll never know unless I actually type 300 words.

But do they have to be interesting? Yes, it's imperative that you keep the reader engaged.... 300's now seeming a very, very long way off though! Trying not to cheat here, trying to actually write something vaguely passable as a reasonable post, something that can be read by the OCD types who have to read every word on the page before they're 'allowed' to click to the next one. I'm sure there must be people like that somewhere on the board, trapped into reading every word. I wonder how many words there are on MSE in total; how many words are being added per hour, per day.

I've just had a quick look, to the end of the last paragraph was 220 words, so I'm nearly there. Into the home run now. So, it's about 3-4 minutes' work - if you have a clue what you're going to write in the first place. Not much can be said in 300 words when you've nothing to say, this post is a shining example of this.

And so that's it. 300 words, in one pointless post.

lostinrates

PasturesNew wrote: »

So, it's about 3-4 minutes' work

Excellent!

It's actually more like seven-ten minutes, because what I did last month s write it tightly around the facts add an opinion or two then edit hard, so about three minutes for facts, a minute for opinions, another minute to think better and that one day anonymity might be breached, so a rewrite of opinion. Then edit down

Then send to dh to spell check. (oh so ghastly but true)

GDB2222

10 minutes is very quick for something worth reading. Do you get paid for that?

PasturesNew

You should write random articles.... I've not done one for months, I've been distracted by my new 'hobby', researching methods/techniques, attending classes, reading books, watching youtube videos, researching tools, equipment, materials, prices..... I'm a unitasker.

lostinrates

GDB2222 wrote: »

10 minutes is very quick for something worth reading. Do you get paid for that?

Of course not! That would be far too much like success.

Generali

GDB2222 wrote: »

I'm astonished that they paid out.

I was completely honest with them. I left a bag of all my suits ready to take to the dry cleaners to be cleaned while I was on holiday. I went to work on Friday, dress down, and came back to find that my suits were in the tumble drier:mad:.

I didn't think to claim TBH but then a friend suggested that accidental damage might cover it as it was a genuine accident. I asked and it did. I think it was because we'd declared the au pair when she arrived and so risked a higher premium that they took a good view of it. I can't remember the name of the insurance company which is a shame as I'd definitely use them again. Not the very cheapest but competitive on price with excellent service.

lostinrates

DH [STRIKE]liquid lunching[/STRIKE] at very important business lunch so can't check my spelling till later.

Argh well as not at station at time when anyone else will be there I'll have to pretend...or go out on Saturday and shout in the farm supplies

'' I GOT THAT COPY IN ON TIME, PHEW, WHAT A DRAG. THAT COPY EDITOR IS ALWAYS SO SLOW, NOT SURE THEY AREN'T DRINKING ON THE JOB.''

lostinrates

heehee just got a reply to a tactful attempt to decline a wedding invitation and the bride is being a bridezilla. The ''no thanks'' just got a hell of a lot easier!