Word count

A writer I know once told me the best lesson he'd ever learned about making a career as a freelancer: you don't have to be an exceptionally good writer. All you have to do is deliver clean copy, to the word count, on time.

It's a good lesson. I was reminded of it again yesterday. I filed a story for a national magazine earlier in the week. The assignment said "1,000 words, max." When they specify max, I figure you have to take it pretty seriously. Then again, there's always the 10% wiggle-room rule.

I filed 1,070 words.

The editor called two days later. My story is one of a series, all the same length. The editor thanked me for sticking to the word count -- which is basically being thanked for doing your job properly. The next shortest piece came in at 1,200 words. The longest was about 1,800.

Clean copy, to the word count, on time.