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Why I write for CliqueClack

Help me celebrate my almost-50th post. For my 50th post, check in on Halloween when I interview Haven writer and Stephen King publisher.

The thing I like most about my job is that I can interview people I respect like Dule Hill, sit in on conference calls with Michael Vartan, watch kickass virtual tours, review shows people no longer watch, and hang out with geeks that argue for 20 posts over whether Charlie Brown is an abysmal glass-half-empty loser or a childhood realist. In the immortal words of Linus Van Pelt, “Three things I don’t talk about: Religion, Politics, and the Great Pumpkin.”

I’ll admit it was rough-going at first. The writer’s bullpen — aka the email list — is a little insane. Yet, realizing I needed to shift from the MLA to the APA standard (when our lovely editor alerted me to the fact) definitely helped. However, I enjoy writing for CliqueClack because I respect the well thought-out, original content by fellow writers who love television. Who doesn’t enjoy plugging in (on a daily — sometimes by the hour or by the minute — basis) with people who feel as passionately about TV as you do? Half the CC staff either worked in media (print or radio), publishing local articles or serving as on-air talent, in entertainment, as bloggers, or just as kickass commenters who Keith brought over from the “dark side” by saying “come with me if you want to live.” And, we all said OK. And, here we are.

As a pseudo-writer (but, not really), I like the idea of standards. While we practically have tabula rasa in posting/reviewing what interests us, outside of the writers’ self-instated principles, I enjoy knowing that an editor reviews the article and not everything I type will pass the initial stage (but, seriously, knowing more outside of CC 101 would also help, guys). If my title is slightly off or a sentence a bit askew, a magical elf sprinkles fairy dust to clarify an item I might’ve missed. But, I know not to abuse it. I frequently fear finding a carload of Boston-ites waiting outside my apartment with accents and a love of the Red Sox.

Another nice part of CliqueClack includes the community of readers who continuously return. I love when people leave comments and interact with each other in a very Cheers-esque way. Plus, when article criticism or opinion disagreements occur, they typically instate without cursing or insults. As the internet allows anonymity, people tend to forget flesh and blood humans exist behind the electronic typeface (and also forget to act as such). I won’t lie. I am definitely more aware of the human factor, although I probably was not two years ago, when I interact with other sites.

Is it all sun, roses, and candy canes wrapped in sugar encased in glittery thigh-highs? No. Sometimes I am a lazy writer. Sometimes I hate finding the proper image (when certain networks’ sites are difficult to cycle through), resizing it to 425 pixels wide, figuring out image credit (if the network did not provide a shot), and epguides-ing the episode name and number. Yea, it’s our job, but on a two-post weekly basis (100-posts monthly, if you’re Aryeh), it adds up. All in all, it takes me around two to four hours to write an article. Why so long? Because I’m unnecessarily obsessive between reviewing my notes, constructing a tenuous thesis, intertwining my notes, and then re-reading two to four times. Could I divide that time in half (including my article length)? Probably, particularly considering half my articles aren’t truly the Raymond Carter prose I desired.

So, why do I write for CliqueClack? Um, did you read the first half of the article? You know, where I detailed the awesome people, the great readers, and the kickass writing staff? Writing that Haven review with Carissa was a blast. I love Ruby and Julia’s Merlin obsession. The new (and old) writers are awesome. Plus, as television-oriented marketing/public relations firms are increasingly focused on new media, that leaves more opportunities for sites such as CliqueClack. So, that’s why I write. So, if you ever want to guest clack, now you know.

Any questions/comments/suggestions? Leave them below. I’ll be here all week.

Photo Credit: Morguefile/PPDigital

Categories: | Clack | General |

17 Responses to “Why I write for CliqueClack”

October 31, 2010 at 12:09 PM

I usually need at least two to four hours to write a decent post and that is without worrying about all the picture credit stuff etc. etc.

I’m just glad I don’t have to adhere to any standards when guest-clacking :-)

October 31, 2010 at 12:28 PM

Me too, Sebastian. APA *shiver*

October 31, 2010 at 1:22 PM

The AP is definitely a hermetic object easily-mistyped-by me-as the APA, another hermetic, closeted standard :)

October 31, 2010 at 7:23 PM

The mention of APA causes me to have Vietnam syndrome-like flashbacks of the most tedious papers I have had to write. *shiver* indeed.

October 31, 2010 at 12:54 PM

I know. It’s once you join that they put the nuts and bolts to you! *cue evil laughter*

October 31, 2010 at 12:20 PM

Awww…thanks for the shout out An! It was fun getting to know you during out little Haven run, and I hope we do more in the future.

In general, it’s a lot more work than you realize, but still fun, too. Keeping it fun is key, for me.

Really enjoyed your take on CC. And, happy 50th post!

October 31, 2010 at 1:04 PM

I agree. The original definition of ‘blogging,’ typically surrounded publishing un-edited, stream-of-conscious thoughts. While we have free reign, there’s definitely a process. Outside of watching an episode for the content, re-watching it for quotes you might’ve missed, and scouring the net for background information on the actors/writers/producers (let alone episode information), even writing a small article takes time.

Despite that, you’re right, it’s fun. So, I do hope more people guest clack. I’m always impressed by the writers the site pulls.

October 31, 2010 at 12:53 PM

You should have seen Jason back when he was writing here. He’d cover three or four shows every night!

October 31, 2010 at 1:07 PM

Wow. I could barely do 2 posts in one night. Now I have to check his old posts to see how he did it.

October 31, 2010 at 1:10 PM

Child labor. Look at Aryeh’s avatar, that’s how he’s doing it!

*creepy laughter*

;-)

October 31, 2010 at 1:58 PM

You, my friend, are awesome.

(I, too, sometimes fear a Boston-beat-down from our friends from up north)

October 31, 2010 at 5:54 PM

Right back at you, D.W.!

October 31, 2010 at 3:54 PM

We MA residents are (mostly) the warm and friendly variety… well, as warm and friendly as they come in New England.

The only thing I would clarify is that the commenting is definitely the light side. We writers are most certainly on the dark side.

October 31, 2010 at 6:17 PM

I don’t know, Bob. The minute I hear someone ask me about a good place for some chowdah I’m running in the opposite direction :)

But, you’re right about the readers, they definitely balance my critical urges.

October 31, 2010 at 8:52 PM

By “we” I meant the MA-living clackers, not ALL MA residents.

October 31, 2010 at 9:55 PM

These are not the commenters you are looking for…

November 2, 2010 at 4:29 PM

Congratulations An, on your fiftiest post!

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