Writing from the dark side

I used to write for a living. Then, 10 years ago, I took one of those Frostian forks in the road and I now manage for a living. Some people would say I sell. But in the eyes of many editorial people, I went over to the dark side. Speaking from the dark side, it doesn’t seem that different from what I did in editorial, but never mind.

I am every editor’s and art director’s worst nightmare because I think I have done that job and therefore I can comment on what he should have done or what were they thinking about that cover?

So, this is put up or shut up time. The edit folks asked me to do a blog. I think the idea is to make me get out from behind the comfortable curtain of criticizing without actually having to create anything.

I know that every reporter is only as good as his or her sources. Burn one and you are done in this town. Many of my sources have now sold their companies and retired to wonderful warm spots around the globe.

So if you have news, call me. Email me at aarmstrong@1105govinfo.com. I will be calling many old friends. Standby.

I welcome your suggestions and criticisms about what we are covering and what we are not.

I think this is a remarkable community that is not completely covered by pics at parties. I know networking is important, but there is a lot of substance that industry provides that is not currently seeing the light of day.

The toughest part is that whenever you write anything of value, someone is likely to disagree. I have to think if we are ready for transparency, we are ready for conversation.

Let the conversation begin.