The WRANT

In an episode of "The Wire" (HBO), the managing editor wakes up and calls the city room—he thinks he may have transposed a statistic in a story. I have lurched awake at night wondering this. I also have had sources tell me they were surprised I called—didn't reporters just make up quotes, á la The New York Times scandal of a couple of years ago? Being a writer takes training and skill. That's why I steadfastly stand for writers getting a reasonable rate for their work. Those 500 words may stand for 6 to 10 hours of work. They are worth more than $30, as another writing website maintained recently. I was deemed a malcontent and was told no one would hire me. I wear the title proudly. I am worth something and so are my stories. 

Star