What’s That Smell?
Maybe it’s the Poo-Pourri of bad writing
As I try to keep up with my reading here on Medium, it’s becoming increasingly difficult and time-consuming to weed out the crap and unearth quality stories.
Yep. Crap and plenty of it is being published. I’ve been sticking to reading stories from my “posse” as some of the newer writers — who normally I’d love to promote — suck. Writing appears to be something they’re “trying out.” Like the Keto diet or anal sex. That’s harsh, I know, but reality is often harsh.
The other day, and with some difficulty, I read a story that sounded as if a twelve-year-old had written it. The writer was in fact a younger guy (which should have no bearing on acumen) and his story was all about how even “beginners” can achieve curation.
Between his title and opening paragraph which appeared as a subtitle as he hadn't bothered to write one, he must have used that word at least eight times. “Beginner.” We get it, dude. You’re a beginner and it shows.
The piece was loaded with typos and bad, regurgitated advice. Correct formatting was thrown out the window yet this writer was telling others how to get curated!
PU!
What happened to quality control around here? I read another story recently that talked about publication editors and how many of them may lack the actual acumen to “edit.” I found the piece interesting as I had pondered this before, that those who are in control of the content we see on Medium may not have the slightest clue as to what editing, true editing, entails. They don’t seem to get that a story may need some tweaking. And when it does, they don’t know how to do it.
So essentially, these underinformed editors pull the trigger on everything, even the shit.
And then my good friend, the devastatingly handsome P.G. Barnett published this pull-no-punches story discussing some of the knee-jerk reactions displayed by publication editors who apparently can’t (or won’t) recognize good writing even when it falls in their laps.
So perhaps the stench permeating Medium recently is the combined noxious gas generated by crappy writers and editors.
I get it. Editing is a lot of work as well as a huge responsibility, but if you signed up for it, do it right because this is not how things should go, guys. I appreciate the whole “give people a chance” attitude but I don’t necessarily agree with it. Those who cannot write, or who refuse to adhere to the guidelines shouldn’t be here. At least until they’ve picked up a few things. Learned some stuff.
Yet, terrible writers get curated every day.
As the owner of Rogues’ Gallery and The Militant, I can and do edit. I reserve that right. Often, I’ve spent more time on a story than I should have, but I try to give newer writers a shot if I feel they have the goods. If they don’t, I reject them or point them to a more appropriate publication. If they can write but their content is not a good fit for my pubs, again, I send them on their way. Respectfully.
I’ve worked with writers who were gracious and happy to have my help and others who were so blindsided by their own arrogance that I just had to give them the boot.
Sometimes a kick in the ass is just the ticket, no?
I haven’t come up with any answers to the diminished quality of some of the content here, I realize this. Other than to “just say no to bad writing.” Perhaps those of us who are frustrated at a process that rewards dreck and turns a blind eye to the gems should speak up.
What’s your take on all this? As always, your feedback is welcome and appreciated.
I’ll close by saying that when I read a story that I believe is stink on stink, I have to stop myself from leaving private notes for the writer. Not to castigate but to help that person evolve into someone who might actually deserve curation one day.
Okay. I lied. Sometimes I want to rip them a new one. Especially the arrogant twits who, after three months of puking up bilge, think they can teach the rest of us a thing or two.
Yes, indeed. I want to tell them outright that they suck and also, that they shouldn’t be allowed to write for Medium or any platform that prides itself on sharing quality content. I want to suggest that maybe they should take up doodling, instead.
But that’s not my job.
Sherry McGuinn is a slightly-twisted, longtime Chicago-area writer and award-winning screenwriter. Her work has appeared in The Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, and numerous other publications. Sherry’s manager is currently pitching her newest screenplay, a drama with dark, comedic overtones and inspired by a true story.
I hope you enjoyed this piece. If so, please check out some of my other stories, below. (And if you find any typos, feel free to rip ME a new one. But gently, please.)
