This time last year, everything in my life was topsy-turvy. I'd decided, after working on My Family, that I didn't want to write for TV any more - which was a bit unfortunate, as I didn't have much experience of anything else.
I made a very short list of possible new careers:
(a) nutritionist (I vowed to refuse to look in any toilets)
(b) interior designer (ditto)
I was vaguely interested in both, but not interested enough in either, so it was all very confusing. On the plus side, I'd just started an exciting new relationship, so felt very hopeful for the future, but my career seemed to be, erm, in the toilet.
I kicked off 2008 with an interview for a job as an ad agency copywriter. I didn't get it, and was gutted. At that stage, if anyone had told me I'd have been heading up a national ad campaign by the end of the year, I'd have laughed all over their clothes. I also lost my remaining TV commissions, and started looking more seriously into design and nutrition.
Then, in February, I bumped into a friend who I rarely saw, and he mentioned in passing that The Guardian were looking for someone to write lighthearted pieces for their Comment & Debate section. If I wrote a test piece, he told me, and he liked it, he'd send it in. I remember feeling very excited, and grilling him: how many words did it have to be? What did he think of this idea, and this one, and this one?
I'd longed to write for The Guardian since I was young, but while I'd started out in journalism, I'd slid down the TV route and never thought I could get back on track. I went straight home and started writing. Funnily enough, the first words of the (never printed) article were "I'm an atheist"...
Three days later, I sent my friend the piece, thinking he'd go "What the hell is this rubbish?!" But within an hour, he'd sent it to The Guardian, and they'd sent me an email asking for pitches. I was elated, and also very nervous. A day later, on Valentine's Day, I was given my first commission (and stayed up all night writing it, because I'm romantic like that); two days later, my first piece was printed in the paper.
Ten months and 28 columns later, I'm truly happy - much, much happier than I ever was working in TV. The exciting relationship I was in folded back in the summer, but it wasn't meant to be - much like my becoming a nutritionist or interior designer. It's odd to think how much has changed in a year - I thought this would be the year where I wrote nothing at all. I'm glad it wasn't.
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24 comments:
"At that stage, if anyone had told me I'd have been heading up an international ad campaign..."
woman, I like yo' style. Next stop, world domination.
Anyway, well done on everything this year! You've written some great pieces. don't forget the one on taxation though! ;)
Okay, I've changed it to "national" now, because I wasn't directly involved in the US and Australian initiatives! Better?
And thanks/hmmph. Really enjoy your pieces. Taxation is destroying me! What are you writing about?
I'm glad it wasn't too, because then I wouldn't have discovered you. Do you think you'd still have been blogging if you'd given up professional writing?
god it all seems like only yesterday. I can't believe you started that stuff 10 months ago! This year has flown away! Congrats on world domination tho!
It'd be a true waste if you ever stopped writing - and the satisfaction of seeing published pieces that you're chuffed with must be like finding gold nuggets. I have a feeling this year has just been a springboard for the next.
Congratulations on a very successful year. For as long as I've known you you've always been involved with something interesting but this year tops the lot!
Brother Tobias is right; next year looks like being better still.
Congratulations on a successful year, Ariane, from a new fan of your writing!
I can fully empathise with '08 finishing in a mindbogglingly different manner than it started! :-)
Keep writing, and all the best for 2009.
I do hope you have a great Xmas break, spending happy times with your family and friends. Many thanks Ariane, not only for your clever, funny, poignant articles and blogs, but also for taking the time to write to myself and Hannah this last month.
And most of all, thanks for giving atheists a forum from which we can be heard, and soon, seen. Just learning that we are not so few gives me real hope for humanity!
Let Santa fill your stocking, but keep King Leopold II up your sleeve! Take care in ‘09.
I'm glad too because otherwise, I would never have met you.
It's interesting the way things have turned out. The ABC probably wouldn't exist if you hadn't bumped into the friend. If you had chosen to leave your home slightly earlier (or later) on that fateful day, your life could have taken a completely different path. Sorry for going all 'Sliding Doors'.
* Great gambling piece.
You're all very kind, and I'm lucky to have you all as friends and readers.
anikretep: Thanks - and yes, I think I'd probably still have blogged, though I'd probably have had far less to blog about!
Catie: I like the first sentence of your comment - clearly it's worked! I've really enjoyed spending more time with you this year (your life has changed even more than mine...)
Brother Tobias: Many thanks - you're a very entertaining writer yourself. I look forward to reading more of your blog in 2009.
Graham: You've always been incredibly helpful and supportive, whatever crazy things I've done. I'm proud to have you as a best mate.
Somnambulist: Thanks a lot - I hope you have an excellent 2009 too.
Richard: The ABC would never have been successful without people like you. Thanks for all your support and great ideas - I'm really glad you've enjoyed the campaign.
Kia: That's so lovely. Same back atcha!
MJB: It's very Sliding Doors - I was thinking that yesterday. There are countless ways in which there would never have been an ABC. Glad you liked the piece. Don't go gambling now...
because I wasn't directly involved in the US and Australian initiatives! Better?
No it isn't! I actually prefer the international angle because you were responsible for them! Other people just complain, you took action. Like I said, I like yo' style.
Anyway, your ego will never be as big as mine so let's give credit where its due. ;)
Erm, someone suggested country diaries and cider-tasting. :(
I made the mistake of asking for ideas on my blog and the bastards are having a laugh at my expense! Maybe I should write about how long I spend doing my hair...
It's 6:51am, and I've just finished doing my usual early morning yoga. Here I am reading your blog. My year's not been merde either for having read your blog and articles. You make looking at this screen interesting and worthwhile. ;-)
I echo the congratulations on a successful year and I hope that the next one is doubly so.
The ABC is what brought me here but I ended up with a different perspective on atheists because of your blog. It was nice to meet a sweet person who just happened to be an atheist. So thank you Ariane (and your friends).
Now, if I may offer one thing that I realized during this past year that is relevant to my new perspective.....just because someone doesn't believe in God doesn't mean that they can't God someone.
At the beginning of 2008, I had never heard of Ariane Sherine. So that's a good thing thats happened to me this year. Your blog is one of the few I read regularly, but that's only because it's funny and interesting. So thankyou.
Also, hi.
Sunny: Ah yes, but I'm not the 72nd most influential liberal in British politics! (Is that right? I'm quoting from memory...) I think the hair idea would be hilarious. Or you could write about why you've decided to join the Tory Party?
Muhamad: You put us all to shame. I only ever see 6.51am from the other side... You are lovely. Thanks for livening up my blog this year, and I wish you a fantastic 2009.
Derek: I'm really glad you feel that way. This campaign is taught me that we're all human and while we might have different views, we're all muddling through the best way we know how. Many thanks for your kind wishes - I hope your New Year is full of happiness.
Craig: Hi! It's good to (virtually) meet you, and I'm very pleased you like the blog. Happy (premature) 2009, and thanks for revealing yourself (so to speak!)
Despite proclaimations to Phil Collins' coolness, which thankfully you've the fullness of 2009 to redeem yourself, i've enjoyed reading your blog... (I don't think I can allow myself to gush anymore than this.)
But swifty:
I should get to see the atheist busses soon shouldn't I?
Ariane. As an (albeit silent) fan you have won this year, I'd be deeply, and let me emphasise this, DEEPLY, saddened if you became a nutritionist.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, Ariane.
I hope the campaign goes STRATOSPHERIC - but not to the extent that it takes up all your energy :-D.
Please do continue to blog and write as you are a rare talent in this increasingly mediocre world (wow, do I sound cynical! And I'm only 21! Oh dear...). Lame as it sounds, you really are an inspiration.
I do still hope to meet you at a PP meet-up someday, by the way!
Oh no, Ariane, I don't do it to put anyone to shame, I do it to avoid diabetes and such like that South Asians seem to get afflicted with. Also, I find that it helps me to regain my composure after a crazy early morning run around my neighbourhood.
Hope your '09 is more productive than all the previous ones.
The world is waiting for the great novel about the mixed-race atheist English-Parsi comedy scriptwriter experience. Booker Prize committees are trembling, Aravind Adiga just had a nervous breakdown, Hanif Kureishi will lay down his pen in response.
I insist, 2009 is the year that this baby gets born. Good luck and seasons greetings, kid.
~Pablo~
Stuart: Thank you - I forgive your gush dearth. And yes, you definitely will.
Rohin: I shall endeavour (just for you, mind) never to become a nutritionist. It's very nice to (virtually) meet you.
KJB: Many thanks for your kind words. I hope to meet you soon too.
Muhamad: Oh no - are we prone to diabetes? I didn't know that! Hope you have a diabetes-free 2009.
Pablo: You're very lovely, but I think you jest somewhat! Hope you have a fantastic Christmas and excellent New Year, and I look forward to reading your posts in 2009.
2008 had the same vibes for me too! Profoundly so. I even started a blog about it, but that fizzled out due to my eclectic lifestyle. Sometimes I worry that I have ADHD.
But I must say that I think your writing is excellent - very enjoyable, funny and pleasant reading. So keep it up :)
Congratulations on meeting Professor Richard Dawkins too! Oh and that thing with the buses. It made me more than smile, I punched the air!
My blog is at: http://mikemhz.blogspot.com/
Chapter Six: The Calamity was a two man effort in comedy writing. I hope you laugh.
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