Harry Paterson

As far as career choices go, freelance scribing offers security, peace of mind and hope for the future in proportions roughly akin to those afforded by negotiating Niagara falls via a tight-rope. On roller skates. In a storm. While pissed. And that’s on a good day.

Without wishing to sound pretentious, like music or any other creative endeavour, it’s not so much something you choose to do as something that you are. Still gotta pay those bills, though, dammit and while the feeling of satisfaction engendered by good work and seeing your byline in print is hard to overstate, it doesn’t feed The Spawn or keep SheWhoIsNeverWrong in broomsticks.

And so, it’s with something almost approaching genuine amazement that I stand poised at the arse-end of 2011, staring down the barrel of 2012 with something that could almost be described as optimism and excitement for the future.

There are some exciting, and well paid, projects coming my way next year and as is often the way with these sorts of things, once the ducks have been broken in certain areas, keeping the work coming afterwards will be the easy bit. Or so I’m told…

This site has helped keep the old profile raised and to the thousands upon thousands of readers that stopped by this year, I thank you all most humbly and sincerely. If no one’s gonna read your work then a writer is nowhere so you guys are deeply appreciated. Big time.

The Elder Spawn, Lurch, techno-geek, computer genius and designer and maintainer of this site is to be thanked for starting the ball rolling and keeping that fecker moving. Love you, kiddo.

Also, the increased exposure gained by writing for some of the cooler webzines out there has definitely played a factor in getting me on the radar of the big boys and so thanks need to go out to Dom Smith, editor of Soundsphere Magazine. A very cool cat is Dom. Cheers, pal. Peter Keevil, too, of Midlands Rocks is another owed a large drink and it’ll be my pleasure to buy it, Peter. Thanks, mate.

Landing the Powerplay gig was another very significant step this year and the idiosyncratic and endearing Red Imp of that parish is another personage for whom drinks will be bought at the next available opportunity. Ditto Powerplay owner, publisher and editor, Mark Hoaksey. You rock, sir.

I certainly couldn’t let this opportunity go by without serving up a major, and I do mean, major slice of gratitude pie for Rock’s Most Famous Writer, the incomparable Mick Wall. Mick’s friendship, encouragement, support and advice has been absolutely crucial in keeping me scribbling when hope was shrinking faster than the Greek GDP. He is, truly, The Man. Slainte mtah, Michael and roll on Valentine’s Day

Shout-outs too, to Joe Daly, Joel McIver, Jason Guest, Tony Gaskin, Doug Smith, David Osler, Nottingham Live editor, Darren Patterson and Al Draper for, variously, advice, opportunities, support, help and/or just for sharing the ride and making me laugh. You are all very much appreciated indeed. Rock on, mofos.

And so, in closing, let me wish you all a very merry Christmas and a New Year that brings you all your hearts’ desires. See you on the other side, fellas.

Cheers,  H.