December ’08: Send editor a timely story idea based on recession.
April ’09:
M, I love your idea! So timely! Let me talk to my boss and we’ll get this in motion.
June ’09:
Here’s your contract, M. Deadline’s end of July. Can’t wait to read it!
August ’09:
We’ve slated this for our November issue. Just have a few quick questions for you and we’ll send across your payment.
November ’09:
Ah, thanks for following up, M. We’ve pushed it a bit further now. It’ll run in the Feb issue. Once I have a confirmation on that, I’ll send across your check. Thanks for your patience!
February ’10:
Almost there, M. It’s been over six months since you wrote this– could you please update with new quotes, new numbers, and new stats? Also, if you could interview two more people, that would be great. It’s not a rewrite as much as an update. Once we have this, I’ll send across your check. Thanks!
April ’10:
Bad news, M. We’re going to have to kill this piece. It’s just not timely.
P.S. Please do send me more ideas. You seem to have a very good understanding of what we need.