A Better Kind of Thank You
by Andy Foster
Writing is a struggle for me, and consequently I’m always looking to learn from other people.
It’s appropriate then, that I’ve just finished reading ‘First You Write a Sentence’ by Joe Moran. More of a eulogy than a how-to instruction manual, it’s a beautifully written book by a professor of English and a master of his craft. It spurred me on, initially to get started, and then to complete this piece.
I wanted to publicly thank the author for his inadvertent assistance, which I did with the limited words afforded by social media. Of course, what every author really wants in response to their work is not just thanks but more recommendations, more readers, and ultimately, more book sales. I hope that my minuscule celebration, in some way, helps his cause.
I have some experience of the issue, having attempted to grow the audience for our practice newsletter over recent years. No matter how much effort and creativity goes into it, the response we receive is never much more than minimal. Yet, when I meet individual recipients, they often tell me that they love it, that it’s a joy to read and could we please keep doing it. It’s lovely to be complimented but what I’d really like is for them to pass it on and tell other people about it. If they could just spread the word a little, it would really help.
But I know they probably won’t because, like me, they’d prefer not to impose themselves.
They’d like to stay small and avoid being shouty.
And anyway, when it comes to celebrating the work of others, the first people on the scene are always cooler, wittier and better connected. Yes, those who are deserving of celebration already appear to be receiving plenty of support. They don’t need me. I’ll save my support for someone else.
I started this year with a strong desire to overcome that kind of thinking.
I had plans to send a handwritten letter of thanks to a list of people who, without them knowing it, had helped to lift me out of a sustained period of inertia and who had inspired me to recover my mojo. My ‘thank you letter’ was to be a thing of quality. It would comprise carefully chosen stationery, a flawless script, and a meaningful sketch or two. All aimed at emphasising the care and love with which it was to be sent.
Unfortunately, my great idea had two fundamental problems.
Firstly, my handwriting is terrible. I know! I’m an architect, and I should have a good hand, but, sadly, I must have missed that studio session.
Secondly, I knew most of the people on my list through books or the media and I, therefore, didn’t have any postal addresses.
In a way, this is why my idea was so good. It had a sufficiently high degree of difficulty such that a) it was never going to happen, and b) I could give it up without the remotest sense of guilt; a perfect blend of good intentions and excusable inaction.
Although I regret my lack of follow-through, I realised that a private message of thanks does nothing to promote the work of those in question, no matter how well-meaning. I now have a long list of people who I have neither thanked nor celebrated.
So let me partially correct that by briefly focusing on four people who would have been the recipients of my imaginary thank you note:
Tim Frenneaux (Adventurous Ink)
Jay Armstrong (Elementum Journal)
Ruth Pickvance (Element Active)
Tanya Shadrick (Selkie Press)
The discerning among you may have guessed that my four share an outdoors and nature theme. There’s a strong literary thread as well. They’re on my list for those reasons, but there are more significant motives too. What they do, and their determination to succeed in doing it, has restored my confidence and enthusiasm for the things that I strive to achieve. And for that, I’m very grateful.
Tim Frenneaux was brave enough to change his mind and publicly re-invent his business. Staying true to his ethical principles, he stopped selling clothing and equipment to the adventure market and now inspires adventure through his monthly curation of modern outdoor literature. I benefit from and wish I had Tim’s courage.
Jay Armstrong launched Elementum Journal as a result of taking a professional writing degree as a mature student. Already a professional photographer, her combined visual and literary sensibilities have attracted some of the best artists and writers in the country and enabled her to produce a journal of breathtaking elegance. Jay’s attention to detail and focus on quality are benchmarks to which I aspire.
Ruth Pickvance is a champion fell runner, a former teacher of literature and an outdoor event leader. She is also the Founder of Element. Based in the Black Mountains, her appreciation of the natural world inspires her to write, travel and lead creative developmental experiences in beautiful scenery. I’d love to be able to combine the things that are important in my life in an equally meaningful way. Ruth provides me with the hope that I still can.
Tanya Shadrick is a writer and artist in residence concerned with nature, place and connection. She took to writing in her ‘unexpected second life’ following a near-death experience. Her output is brilliant and prodigious, though impacted by periods of debilitating pain. Tanya is a welcome addition to my social media timeline and a frequent reminder that I should get over myself and keep going.
There, I’ve done it now and do you know what?
It wasn’t so bad, after all.
I’ll admit to feeling a little queasy talking about people I don’t know and have never met. But without this opportunity, I might not have mentioned them at all, and neither you nor they would ever have known how much they’ve helped me. And that would have been a great shame.
Work loose what is stuck in you
Through service
To whatever crosses your path
From: Exercises for a Nature Writer (Tanya Shadrick)
