There are always local radio personalities who have to fill airtime. They are very open to doing interviews. I've been on many of these shows. These are small-market stations, and they often are very loose with their format and how they handle things. I was recently guilted into doing such a radio interview. It was for a relative on my wife's side who has a young child just starting in radio. I agreed to do the interview. It was interesting. I was in a bad mood due to me and my editor having major disagreements about my work. Things got heated and we decided to talk things over the next day. I struggled to put the anger I was feeling behind me as I got off the phone and started the interview.

It went something like this.

" So, tell me, why did you become a writer? Was there something that inspired you?

Yes, my 5th-grade English teacher complimented my work, and it motivated me to pursue writing. Unlike my current editor. The major difference is my English teacher helped me and my editor needs help. It was in 5th grade that I had my writing admired and revered by a wonderful, talented, and perceptive English teacher. A person with the experience and insight necessary to acknowledge talent for writing. These are traits not shared by my editor. My 5th-grade teacher made me determined to write stories people liked to read. I did this a long time before I met my clueless, drunken, egotistical editor.

There was a long pause before the next question.

What advice do you have for anyone who is considering a career in writing?

Be prepared to have your creative juices sucked out of you with the force of an industrial vacuum. Then get ready for an editor to try to change, alter or recreate something you've worked on for a long time. Like my editor. Never believe the amount of money you've made for a company matters to them. They will always treat you as if you don't know what you're doing. Any aspiring writer needs to prepare for a soulless, evil, drunken editor to demean their work. Don't be surprised by it. Let it make you more determined to find those who appreciate what you do.

Those are some harsh words. Do you have any words of encouragement for those considering pursuing a career in writing?

It is a wonderful career filled with exciting moments of success. When readers connect with what you've written and let you know, it is a special experience. Being able to bring an idea to life by using just the right words to share it with others can be very gratifying. Avoiding editors who think they know your story better than you do. Run from an editor who does not appreciate your creative talent. My editor is an example of someone a writer should run from as fast as possible."

When I got home, my wife wanted to talk with me.

"What is up with that interview? Your editor called me because it is obvious you won't pick up. Now, call him back and don't do what you do when you're mad. Do not refer to him as the spawn of Satan."

"Hey, you're the one who demanded I not to use swear words for his name."

So, I called my editor. He apologized to me. I apologized to him. I said I was sorry for saying the things I did during the interview. He said he was sorry for the things he said about my work. Then all was good between us. I told my wife everything is okay now.

"You two do this all the time. Ever since I've known you, the two of you have been fighting and then making up. You guys have a very dysfunctional relationship. Maybe you should consider counseling."

"Well, he starts it."

My wife then grumbles and walks out of the room.

Writing is a great way to make money. There will be difficult people to deal with, but the key is to never give up. Hold on to your ideas and stories. It's important to never let them take away your vision. Not even if your editor acts like the spawn of Satan.