I used to think that this article would be the hardest to write of my career. There would be so much I'd want to say, so many thanks I'd want to give, such high expectations for the last "Emmy's Logo Here".
Anyone who says writing is easy is wrong. You have to think of an interesting topic, an important topic, something that you can write about for a page and a half or more. You have to make sure your ideas, opinions, and facts don't overlap too much, and always, always make sure those facts are legitimate. You have to look out for overusing words or phrases, and keep in mind that your sentences need to flow. You need to add things in at the right places. Checking for grammatical errors, spelling errors and just plain mistakes are also part of the process.
If you now think writing is hard, being a columnist is five times more difficult.
Not only do you have to do all those things listed above and more, but you have to do them every week.
Therefore, as you can see, some Whyville columnists don't get their column in every week. *cough*ME*coughcough* Not only just because it's every week, but if you're writing an article, then you're usually writing because you sat down with a specific subject in mind. You write the article because you found something worthy to write about. Columnists need to write whether they have something to write about or not. It's their duty. If you're a columnist for a real newspaper, it's your job. You owe it to your readers to write an article every week and for it to be of decent quality.
And I cannot do that anymore. I cannot fulfill the commitment.
It used to be easier a year and some months ago. I had a fresh line of ideas to write about, fire in my belly. I wanted to be a well-known columnist. I wanted to matter. I wanted people to come ask me for opinions, interviews, or writing help. And I did. And I loved it.
I love writing. Honestly, I do. It's my favorite thing to do. Writing for the Times was by far my best Whyville experience. I wrote my first articles in 2005, and ever since then, I was hooked. I enjoyed feedback in the BBS and sharing my thoughts with a mass amount of people, more than I could ever do in real life. After those few articles came "The Music Scene". That ended after 16 issues, and meanwhile, "Emmy's Logo Here" arrived.
When I sent in the first issue of Emmy's Logo Here, I had absolutely no idea what I wanted it to be about. The first article was on immigration. In the description below the article's title, the Times Editor wrote "Glitsygrl writes a column on controversial subjects."
That idea was a bust. The next week, I wrote about routines, and the week after, graffiti. Yeah. Real important, controversial issues there, go Emmy! The column has developed so much since the first issue was published on April 15th, 2007. It was, really, a column about everything. For a while, it was about pretty safe subjects. Then I got into more deep, thoughtful articles about things like fear, death, drugs, happiness and love. Scattered in between I touched in on current news and articles about the seasons. A couple of them weren't even articles. They were just big, long rants that when I look back now, I shake my head and groan.
Even though some of my articles have been pretty embarrassing, I put my heart into this column. I enjoyed writing it so much. I felt like it was my journal, almost. A journal thousands of people got to read. This column was like a child to me. A commitment. I loved it, I loved writing it, I loved the response I got.
"It's just a column," you scoff, "Why such a big deal?"
Maybe you're right. Maybe I am making too big of a deal about ending a column I've written for over a year and a half. But it wasn't just that. It wasn't just writing the column. Through the column, I've met some of my greatest online friends. Whether they mailed me to talk about an article, or I sought them out for their opinions, this column has allowed me to talk with some of the most interesting people.
Now it's ending.
I'm not sad. When I thought to this day, when I'd have to write my final "Emmy's Logo Here", I thought I would be very sad. But I'm not. What is there to be sad about? This column had a good life, fun times, serious times, and an extremely, extremely tacky name. (The name, by the way, was a working title - and I never really changed it!)
Nothing can last forever. Really, sixteen months was more than I could ever hope this column would last for.
43.
43 articles. This will be the 44th. I like that number, 44.
This wasn't a hasty decision. I've been thinking about ending the column since last January. But I was selfish. I was selfish, and I wanted the Award for Outstanding Column from the Whyville Times Awards since I knew it existed. When I didn't win it last year, I was set on getting it this year. I thought the only way was to keep writing, writing, writing! It didn't even occur to me whether there was going to be another Whyville Times Awards this year or not.
But now? I don't really care about the award. I didn't start this column to get an award, and I wasn't going to continue just for an award, either.
So this is the end. I do hope that this column is remembered, somehow, because I sure am going to remember it.
I made so many friends, learned a lot, and improved my writing so much through "Emmy's Logo Here".
Mmm. And you say it's just a column.
Glitsygrl
Author's Note: I am not quitting the Times! I still plan to continue contributing articles, but it was time for this column to end. It had a good "life". Thanks to all of you who brought that "life" to it.
Editor's Note: I think we can all agree that Glitsygrl wrote an amazing column and has solidified herself as one of the most memorable Times Columnists. I would personally like to thank you, Glitsygrl, for your insightful columns and your dedication to the Times. Your column truly impacted our newspaper and will be greatly missed. I hope you will revisit it from time to time. With that said, we are always looking for new columnists, so if you have a great idea, please see article ID 6264 for instructions on submitting. Glitsygrl, you are one of the most talented writers we have ever seen, and I know I can speak for the rest of the readers when I say I can't wait to see what you come up with next.
