My rant

I was recently asked to write a food review for an up and coming magazine, however, I kind of regret agreeing to it now.

Going to the restaurant and writing about it was great. I felt like I was finally on the track to what I wanted to do with my life. I loved writing about my experience at the restaurant, and I didn't hold anything back. I wanted the readers to be able to imagine they experienced it with me.

While the review had its negative points, I felt that it was fair and balanced and extremely accurate. I had other writers and friends look over it as well, and they said the same. One friend even told me I had a gift for critiquing but being nice about it.

Apparently, someone at the magazine had a different perspective. I was sent back an "edited" copy and was immediately taken aback. I am fine with my stories being edited, some words being changed, etc. as long is it is purposeful and makes sense. This was not the case.

First of all, the story was completely changed to be totally nice and unrealistic. If I had something negative to say, it was because that part of my experience was negative. I know what I am talking about after 5 or so years in the industry, and I don't need some P.R. wanna-be to smooth over my words so they are more friendly.

Then, parts of the story were rewritten unnecessarily and illogically; the changes did not even make sense. If I said a piece of pie was "delicious" that is what I meant. I didn't mean it was "delightful".

This is why the city of Ocala is so ass backwards; no one is brave enough to say/write how they really feel in a respectful and intelligent way.