I meant to post this on 25 September, but it slipped my mind. No wonder. I’m working a 9-5, writing and editing at Matador, keeping up with social networking, reading blog posts, writing blog posts, reading other online magazines, building two websites, and finding time (sort of) for my wife, Yvonne.
Inspired by Eva Holland’s post Happy Birthday, Freelance Self!, in which she celebrates one year in the full-time freelance writing world, I thought I’d mention an anniversary of sorts for myself.
It was just over one year ago, on 25 September, 2008, that I published my first article. It was on Matador Change and it was called A Traveler’s Secret Way to Save Gas Money. Several months before that I found Matador through Brave New Traveler, a site I’d stumbled upon (pre-StumbleUpon days) somehow. (Quick aside, it was Daniel Harbecke’s article Budget Travelers Are Hippie Scum that got me hooked — it’s still one of my favourite articles there.)
I’d just come off an 8-month travel stint after leaving Vancouver behind. Encouraged by friends’ and family’s comments about emails I’d sent home or, later, travel blogs I posted to, I decided to give this writing thing a go. So after finally crafting something I thought somewhat worthy for publishing, I pitched it to Brave New Traveler. Nothing. A few weeks later I received a newsletter. I worked up some nerve to reply and ask about my pitch. I got a reply from Ian Mackenzie, founder of BNT. Turns out my email got lost in cyberspace.
After making a name for myself around the Matador Community, and publishing a few more articles, I received an email last March, inviting me to join the editorial team and become a part of a new vision. It actually came just after I’d published The Travel Wisdom of Bruce Lee. And just before that, after not hearing for quite some time after pitching that article, I was having deep doubts about my writing and if it was something I wanted to pursue more.
Since then I’ve conducted my first two interviews, the first with Jessica Watson — who is about to set sail in her hopes to become the Youngest Person to Sail Around the World Solo — and the second, an Interview With Jamie Catto — someone I’ve grown to admire in the past while because of his work with 1 Giant Leap and the film What About Me?
In this past year, I also had a photo published as a book cover. This was unexpected, but has pushed me to start taking photography a little more seriously. So here I am, one Canon 40D and three lenses later.
I have a long way to go to get where I want, so here’s to the coming year.
{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
Happy anniversary, Carlo! Here’s to progress!
That’s one hell of a successful year!
Congratulations on your freelance success! Here’s to another strong year!
Thanks all! Upwards and onwards I say. I’ve been settled for the past 2 years but will be moving on soon, which should be more fuel for the fire. I count myself lucky to be involved with such a great and open bunch of writers, and hopefully I’ve built up a bit of a base for myself to build on.
Good on ya, Carlo! Well, done for making your vision a reality and congrats for keeping up the momentum. Are you leaving the Southern Hemisphere? Not many of us Matadorites down here as it is!
Hi Marie, thanks for dropping in and the kind words. Indeed I am in the southern hemi – in Melbourne to be accurate. And yes, I know! I’ve been trying to spread the good word around these parts about Matador. I’ll be leaving most likely in January, but have plans to come back again to travel around Australia and NZ. Judging by your blog, you’re in NZ?
Will have to get in touch with you when we’re there, looks like you can offer up some great advice on food and drink! Cheers.
Carlo, congrats ! You’ve done well and I admire, if not, envy you. Keep writng and shooting; you’re an inspiration to all of us.
Cheers,
Mike
Congrats, Carlo! Gosh, time flies. Your Bruce Lee story seems like yesterday.
Too kind Mike! Thanks Eva…this whole year seems like yesterday. How can it be mid-October already?
Big kudos Carlo! From your intriguing writings to your awesomely insane book suggestions, many thanks! Cheers to the first of many great years of inspiring!
Congratulations Carlo! Onwards and upwards from here.
Congratulations, Carlo! I feel really fortunate to work with you.
Thanks thanks and thanks. Julie! I feel the same towards all the Matador eds. I’ve really lucked out – although, I am a believer that we make our own luck
Actually, I probably should have mentioned it in my post…but that email I got to join Matador was from Julie…so extra special thanks there!
I’m glad you wrote about this Carlo…I think it’s good for all of us to take time and look back at the reality of what we’ve accomplished, when sometimes it feels like we haven’t gotten far enough (I know I feel that ALL the time).
Congratulations on your one year! Super inspiring post–I’m currently trying to work up the financial nerve to cut down to working part-time so I can focus more on writing. This is exactly what I needed to read!
Thanks Lauren. I’m leaving the 9-5 world again in a few months and will be jobless for the next while as we nomad around. If/when I go back to work I will do part time only! I am so over the 9-5!