Congratulations to Tim Matassa for Winning the February 2015 Barefoot Writing Challenge! (Your $100 prize is on its way!)
The Challenge was to write an essay that answered this question:
Who is the biggest supporter of your writing goals?
Describe this person and how he or she supports you.
Tim gave a moving account of how one friend has helped him transition from a job he didn’t love to a rewarding life as a writer. Enjoy his winning submission:
Career Support … with a Side of Fries
By Tim Matassa
Every Monday, I get my weekly dose of support and encouragement while sitting in an old-fashioned diner booth. 50’s and 60’s music blares in the background, and framed posters of James Dean and Marilyn Monroe hang on the walls. The place is called 25 Burgers, and … well, their name pretty much sums up their menu.
Since last summer, this has been a regular hangout for my buddy Steve and me. And as we indulge in our greasy burgers and split an order of fries, our conversation inevitably turns to our new jobs.
You see, Steve and I used to teach together. Over the last few years, he was the one person at work I’d talk with about how unhappy I was. He knew I craved a new direction. Once I discovered AWAI, he was one of the first people I told about it. And when I decided to leave teaching and pursue copywriting, he never let me waver.
Around the same time I decided to leave last year, Steve came across a great opportunity. He landed a job as a trainer for a software company, so he also left our school last June. And his new office is right up the road from my apartment. Getting together for lunch is almost as convenient now as when we worked in the same building.
These days, our discussions are usually much more upbeat. He tells me about his training and his new colleagues, and I tell him about my progress with my writing and my business. Steve is always happy to cheer me on when I’m excited, and he tries to pick me up if I’m discouraged.
Steve also helps me push beyond my comfort zone. He knows I want to leave New Jersey, but when I recently found a potential opportunity … I was scared. I found a posting for a full-time copywriting position out of state, but I didn’t feel qualified. I told him about it, but I was hesitant and said I needed to think it over. His response was swift and emphatic. He said, “Take the time you’re going think it over, and instead of thinking it over, use that time to apply.”
As a former English teacher, Steve has also helped me improve my writing skills. He knows grammar, so I’m comfortable asking him to proofread. And he often has solid suggestions to strengthen my work. But more importantly, he’ll read from a prospect’s perspective. If something is unclear or doesn’t sound right, he’s not afraid to tell me.
Whether I’m facing a challenge with some aspect of my new career, or I just want to celebrate a success, I’ve come to depend on Steve. I even look forward to Mondays now. Every week, our trip to the burger joint provides me with more than just a tasty meal. I get invaluable motivation and encouragement. And feeling supported is the most important benefit I need while pursuing my version of the writer’s life.
