One Small Step

So, as some of you know, I have my own column now at work, called "Soccer Mom Chronicles." It's not exactly a humor column or an opinion column. I'm not exactly sure what category it would fall under, to be quite honest. It's found between Schools and Villages in the paper, but under Home & Family on the website (www.plymouth.wickedlocal.com).

When discussing what it would be with the editor, my vision of it was writing about Plymouth, or kids, or events, etc., from MY point of view. I wanted to use the first person. After years of having to use third person in my stories, I wanted to be able to talk about me, me, me. I wanted to be able to say "I." That's really not asking a lot, is it? LOL

When my first column came out, the first thing I noticed was a glaring typo in the very first sentence. Someone had edited out a word I had in there, and then forgot to change the word next to it so it would make sense. I was pissed. I couldn't get past that. I like to edit my own work, (and I know this sounds arrogant) because I know I'll do it right. I've been editing for almost 5 years. Yes, I'm a bit lazy on the Internet and even on this blog, but for something going in the newspaper or on our official website, I edit the hell out of everything.

And then I started to get e-mails. Six in all, inlcuding the one from the editor-in-chief. People liked my column. I was fookin thrilled. I printed out each one, and slipped a paperclip onto them and placed them neatly in a folder. Yes, I'm anal like that. LOL

The second column was funny, and I thought it was even better than the first one. But I didn't hear a peep on that one. Nothing. I should mention here that I thrive on positive reinforcement. I think it's because I got very little of it as a child, that I NEED it as an adult. "Good job, Ann," is like music to my ears. Sad but true. So, with no e-mails or comments on the second column, I naturally thought it must have sucked, and now all future columns would suck, and ultimately, the column would be yanked because everyone hated it.

This week was the third column. I stayed away from what I thought was funny, and instead, wrote about some beautiful places that I visited here in Plymouth. I was very descriptive, and included sights, sounds, feelings, everything. And people liked it.

Now, you might not understand this, if you're not in the newspaper business, but I have always felt that a real step of recognition in this industry is if someone calls Speak out about you. Speak out is an anonymous forum that people call to bitch and moan and complain, normally, and it all gets printed in the paper. Sometimes, they have something nice to say, but it's rare, trust me.

Yet, this week, the editorial assistant came to my desk with a printed-out copy of a Speak out call someone had made about ME! They loved my column! They grew up in this town and knew the places I talked about and they were so happy to hear something positive for once about this town, instead of constant complaints! Keep it up, they said!

They liked me! They really liked me! LOL

Yes, I know. It doesn't take much to please some people. But I am pleased. One more small step on the way.