Look at me, I’m wonderful
… the title of a Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band track. But you knew that.
City Paper printed my Saddam Hussein letter, minus the final paragraph. I think I have the formula down now to say what I want for the most part in their letters section:
- Get my digs in on the paper itself in long referencing sentences (article in question, issue at hand) comprising a short introductory paragraph. This is difficult to edit out if you construct the sentences with properly dependent clauses.
- Mix equal parts fact and snark in tight paragraphs in the creamy center of the letter. Feel free to use metaphor and comparison.
- Take another independent potshot at the paper’s journalistic integrity and ability at the end of the letter. Although true, this will be edited out. It’s like the lizard yielding its twitching tail; let them take this part, it makes them feel in control.
Feel free to practice this method as frequently as you like.
