The Editor Wall II

Advice via email from Roy Wenzl: Here's my take on how to get past the editor wall.

First, just print out what "MIKE" said, and keep it with you. It's the best adivce possible, because it's about turning potential enemies or potential neutrals into occasional allies.

What I say here now merely supplements what Mike said. I suppose I should mention that I worked as an editor for 16 years at four papers before i went back to writing nine years ago.

When I talk to reporters about The Editor Wall, I tell them that I work hard at doing what Mike wrote, but I also tell about a couple of pivotal times when I've really blown up, risked firing or a permanent rift.

I did this only two times in the last ni…