I do not understand.  An article about me was supposed to be in the newspaper next week.  SO excited!

I met with the writer, cooked some yummy dishes.  The newspaper photographer took a bunch of photos.  I wrote up the recipes and sent them to the writer to send on to the newspaper.  I wrote up a timeline of all the things we talked about so she could get them in order.  (We talked about SO many things!)  She sent me a list of additional questions to answer so she could use them along with what we discussed during the interview.

One of the questions was, “What would you tell someone just starting out in cooking?”  My response was, “The only time you need strict measurements is for baking because you’re depending on a chemical reaction.  The rest of the time, use what you like, relax, and have fun.”

THEN she sent me “revised” recipes.  REVISED recipes?  I write really cool recipes, more like descriptions, actually.  “Use some of this, use some of that, if you like a little more, add it to the pot.”  You know, like your mother cooks, and like my mother cooked!  I’ve not had one complaint about the way I write recipes.  In fact, people have written to me to tell me that the stress is off them if they don’t have to measure and its much more fun this way!

Well, the writer’s editor refused to publish my recipes the way I write them.  I told them if they’re worried, to add a disclaimer, “Watch out.  She’s one of those ‘A pinch of this and a pinch of that’ kind of cooks.  Here’s her email address if you have any questions!”  It would give people a giggle, the newspaper would be off the hook (sheesh), and everyone would enjoy themselves.

The response?  “No.”

Talk about cutting off your nose to spite your face.  How silly can they be?

The response so far from people waiting to see the article?  “Stand your ground!,” and I am.

But, still.  How silly.  These are suposed to be adults!  No creativity.  No insight.  “It’s my way or the highway.”  No wonder newspapers are dying……  :(