Monday, November 25, 2013

Thank You


I have been blessed with wonderful readers. I mean YOU. And I just wanted to take a moment to say "Thank You!"

This has been a year of great transition for me. After being let go at my job of 20+ years, where I was a voice talent/producer/editor/musical director/all-around schmuck, I've been scrambling to piece together freelance opportunities in writing and related fields. This change in career paths was chosen because I previously had some small success in selling my writing on a casual basis. Also, my confidence in my abilities in the aforementioned fields was fairly much shot to hell when I was let go. With no disrespect aimed at my former associates, I considered myself the best on-staff at a couple of the duties I performed. And I was the longest-tenured employee in the place. To be the only person jettisoned when the company changed hands was a shock and a severe blow to my ego. And ego is essential to an artist, which is what I considered myself (and my colleagues) in all regards.




So, I set out to establish myself as a writer. A small bit of good fortune was immediately obvious. The story of my firing had a wonderful twist to it. When I called to initiate my unemployment claim, I was greeted by recorded messages that I had personally produced for my former employer. Although it was truly disheartening, and brought me as near to a mental breakdown as anything in the whole affair, it made for a funny tale in the abstract. I wrote it up and was able to sell it to the good folks at the Boston Herald (for whom I am also extremely thankful, as they've bought about 50% of the pieces I've sold thus far.)

I was blessed to have an ongoing friendship with a fellow blogger who is also an editor. I'll leave his name out of this, as I believe that's what he would desire, but his contribution to whatever success I've thus far achieved has been substantial. Without his help in setting me up in a writing-related field for additional income, my earnings this year would be roughly half of what they are.

I've had my writing appear, for pay, in a few different places aside from the Herald. Funny Times, Discover magazine, and the Boston Globe, have been kind enough to print my stuff on their pages. Discover thrilled me no end by featuring a couple of my pieces on their cover.

Anyway, the point of this was to let YOU know how much I appreciate you. You were here for me long before any of this went down. Your kind words and encouragement gave me the idea that I might actually have the talent to pull off this career change. While I'm hardly getting rich, I am bringing in enough to keep at least the sickly and aged wolves from the door. With your continued support, and a bit more blessing, perhaps I'll be able to kick the healthy ones off the doorstep in the coming years.

I wish you a wonderful and warm Thanksgiving. When we sit down to our meal this Thursday, I'll remain mindful of the blessings you, and others mentioned here, have provided me. In so many different ways, you have contributed to my feast. May God's blessings be abundantly obvious to you and yours.

Soon, with more better stuff.

P.S. I'm sure she knows this, but making it a public declaration is certainly worthwhile. MY WIFE has been a rock throughout. She has endlessly encouraged me, rooted for me, shared both my triumphs and my defeats, and otherwise been the perfect partner. Without her... well, I could fill in this blank, but I'm only a writer. Words are not enough.

22 comments:

Jenny Woolf said...

You've done so well and of course we have been rooting for you. We love your blog!
Enjoy your Thanksgiving. Not a festival we celebrate here in the UK :)

Karen said...

This is a wonderful post. So full of gratitude for the other guy. You're an okay shmuck, Jim Sullivan.

(not necessarily your) Uncle Skip said...

Yeah, yeah...and it didn't hurt for the Sox to win the Series, either.

That said, in the overall big scheme of things, Sully, you are one of the rare folks who really care about others.
Even when you slammed folks who presented you with awards, you took away the edge.
I'm glad we've met.

Hilary said...

Beautiful sentiments here, Jim. May it only get better and better for you from here on in. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

IT (aka Ivan Toblog) said...

Fruitcake, Suldog, ask 'em for fruitcake
Skip's got it about right
You're okay!

Buck said...

No thanks required. It's YOU that has the talent and I'm thankful that some people who write checks recognize talent when they see it.

Jackie said...

You are a talented writer, and you have a wonderful wife.
I am thankful that the two of you will spend a happy and blessed Thanksgiving this year.
Praise the Lord that the old sick wolves are at bay at your home. Those young healthy ones will disappear, too. I just know it.
This post warmed my heart.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and to those you love.
Hugs,
Jackie

joeh said...

It takes more than talent, I'm sure you've worked your butt off getting people to give your talent a chance. Hope your success grows and grows this coming year.

Tabor said...

You are blessed in spite of these challenges...and we are blessed to get to read your posts. Thank you! (That is the title of my blog which is scheduled for publishing in two days, anyway.)

messymimi said...

Your writing entertains and inspires me, so it's easy for me to cheer for you as you develop this career, and i truly believe you can make a very good living as a writer.

OldAFSarge said...

Ah Suldog, ye're a brilliant writer lad. I know ye'll do well.

And then we can all say, "Ah Suldog, we knew him when..."

All kidding aside, have a great Thanksgiving Jim. Your words here and elsewhere are one of the things I'm thankful for. Seriously...

Michelle H. said...

Happy Thanksgiving! You've done a wonderful job at what you do best -- as a voice op, producer, fact checker and writer. You are successful because you are... well... YOU! And if you keep being true to yourself and your abilities, nothing will stop that success.

Absolut Ruiness said...

Happy thanksgiving Jim!! I thank you for not losing hope and bringing your talent out in front of the world. You add value to my day.

Chris said...

Very happy for your recent success, Jim, and this was a wonderfully worded note of appreciation. You deserve the very best, my friend. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

i beati said...

Boston College made me very happy last week

Brighton Pensioner said...

Part of the reason for your success is, I am sure, your stickability.

Lil said...

Happy thanksgiving Jim. And thank YOU for keeping me entertained all these years. You rock.

CiCi said...

Since I enjoy reading your posts, I am happy you have kept afloat and have found new arenas to air your talents. It wouldn't be near as much fun to hear you whine or rant about the forced change so thank goodness you are up and running still. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your lovely wife.

Shammickite said...

You are a great writer Jim, you have a way of telling a story that grabs my attention.... until you start babbling away about baseball scores and then I start to doze a bit. I'm so happy for you... changing focus mid-stream is a hard thing to do, but you dunnit! BTW, have a great Thanksgiving with your wonderful beautiful patient supportive WIFE! Hope you're not in the middle of this big snowstorm.... if you are remember you could emigrate to Canada where we celebrate Thanksgiving when the weather is much nicer!!!!

silly rabbit said...

Its no accident that you are doing well. You've got talent! And a wonderful sense of humor. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your wife!

Anonymous said...

Maybe it took them letting you go to finally have the confidence and the time to truly use your writing talents. I know how hard it is to submit and be accepted, so what you've accomplished reflects your grit and talent. Here's to an even better year ahead for you!! Happy Thanksgiving!

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

I hope that you find continued success in selling your writing. You have a unique voice.