billpalmer.net

Pages isn't a perfect page layout tool, but during the course of all the time I've spent with it over the past two days I'd have to say I've praised it a whole lot more than I've cursed it. It's got a way of wanting to do things, but if you learn to just get out of its way and let it make you look good, it probably will.

Oh and by the way, the December issue has crossed the hundred page mark and will feature original content by more than twenty authors. Sure, I've written about fifteen of those pages myself, but the vast majority of the content is coming from a mix of long-term staff members, homegrown talent, industry veterans, community luminaries, and performers who've picked up the pen. The range of quality content from so many quality people is what I'll walk away from the first issue the most proud of. On the other hand, once I finish giving the cover story the polishing and revision it needs, it'll be something to be proud of as well.

There comes a time in a long-term project where you feel your back is against the wall, the clock is ticking, things have gone wrong, and the grind to the deadline has commenced. But I swear, I'm just not feeling it. The articles came in on time, the scheduled interviews happened when they were supposed to, the page layout has gone quicker than expected (and to be honest, looks better than I had expected), and there's a full week left to go back and file down all the rough edges and polish things up and give it the finishing touches that make it feel like a real magazine before it's time to release it.

Frankly, if there was a good reason to do so, I think the December issue could even be released a few days early. But instead I think I'll use the extra time to continue refining it. There's always potential improvement to be made. One week to go.