18th October 2008
Deborah Owen

Remember this phrase, "It's a win-win proposition." Editors love that term. It means it is a deal whereby both ends wind up happy. I remember the first time I used that term.

I had learned that the American Legion's upcoming 75th Anniversary Edition was in preparation, and their national office was only a few miles from me. However, when I went to apply for the job, the editor told me he had no positions available.

Somewhere on the path of life, I had heard not to take no for an answer, so I called him again the next day and again asked for a job. He said, "As I told you yesterday, I have no positions available. Thank you for calling." *dial tone*

I had no idea where to go from there. I laid in bed all night devising a plan whereby he would have to hire me. By morning, I was ready with my new approach. I called him yet a third time and said, "This is Deborah Owen again. I understand you don't have any openings available, but I have a win-win proposition that is sure to interest you." (He asked what my proposition was.) "It's too complex to talk about over the phone," I replied, "but I would be happy to take you out for lunch one day this week and we can discuss it then."

The man tried everything in his power to niggle my proposition out of me, but I knew if I told him on the phone, my boat would be sunk, so I repeatedly offered to buy his lunch. Finally, he gave in. We met on Friday and we walked two blocks to the restaurant. Even as we walked, he tried to get me to tell him my proposition. For once in my life, I knew when to be quiet, and I repeated that I would tell him when we were eating."

At lunch, he asked me about this great proposition again. I could tell he was intensely curious. I said, "It's a fantastic win-win deal for both of us. I know you said you don't have any openings, but your 75th edition is a huge undertaking and I'm sure you can use all the help you can get. I happen to live close by and I'm thirsty for knowledge. This is a great opportunity for both of us. I'm a hard working perfectionist with both writing and office experience. I will work for The American Legion free of charge if you will only give me the opportunity to learn. That's a win-win proposition."

About that time, he finished eating, and he said, "I'll see you Monday morning at 8 am, and, Mrs. Owen - never offer your services free of charge. It makes your employer think your services aren't worth much - and everyone is worth something. I'm going to mentor you myself - and - I will pay you a salary. Do you know why I came to meet you today, Deborah? Because of your persistence. That's a good quality."

I ended up ghost writing 37 articles for that landmark edition. Writers, when the doors don't open easily, sometimes you have to pry them open any way you can. Just know what you are going to say, practice saying it out loud (alone), and then go for it. What do you have to lose?

Click here to see the first fully mentored writing school on the net: http://www.creativewritinginstitute.com . If you would like to receive The Writer's Choice newsletter, or a FREE analysis of your short story or article, write to deborahowen@cwinst.com.