Beating the Recession With One Hand Behind My Back
Howdy folks. Some big announcements to make! This week was light on the posting due to a combo of computer woes ... aaaaand I was preparing for a NEW JOB as the money/political editor for an online news site! The announcement of the site I'll be on will happen Tuesday next week when they send out the official press release. But it's pretty exciting!
Exciting in the sense that'll be an editor and I'll get to help guide and support writers and it's a job in my beloved field of journalism, that I sorely miss. But it's new media, so I get to have the best of both worlds.
Oh, and I won't starve. That's always nice too.
I'll still be maintaining the Snob blog but I'll be taking on a new challenge of building ever more writing and political coverage with a rapidly emerging site. I'm really excited about this because I, for some time, have been developing various theories and strategies for online development and news coverage, so it will be great to finally be able to implement these ideas with crazy things like "a budget" and "a platform" and "support" and "staff."
I will also be working on a book that I hope to have finished by the summer. I've only mentioned it briefly in a few places like in Essence and such, but I feel must stronger about putting it out there in the universe as I've been working on this story for years.
I'm putting some final polish on the proposal and getting ready to check out publishers, so I'll be setting aside some time as well to make my first book a reality.
The book, which I still haven't quite settled on a title for, is about writing, journalism, politics, love, loss, friendship, divorce, dating and bipolar disorder. It's essentially a narrative non-fiction about my mental collapse after my divorce, my efforts to fight my disease while still pushing ahead with my career, dating, recovering from the heart-break of my first marriage and the many false diagnoses I had before some very scary, near death times in my life. All of it leads up to my diagnosis with Bipolar Type II Disorder in 2006.
I essentially want to write about what it's like to come back from the brink and what living with Bipolar is like versus just existing. And I pretty much barely got by, existing with the disease for almost a decade. But with the help of my family, friends, good medicine, good therapists and an especially good psychiatrist I was able to learn how to live again, stop mourning what my life was before the divorce and celebrating the life I have now.
I've been sending the manuscript around to agents since back in November, and I got a lot of good initial interest. It looks like I've found an editor willing to take on the challenge with me and going to move ahead with it.
Not surprisingly, due to the fact that I started January with a job offer and a serious dedication to getting my book published, I'm feeling pretty good about 2011. It's really overwhelming at times, when I think of how far I came, mentally, and how close I was to not making it. I'm just really grateful to be able to have this moment right now, pursuing my passion as a writer and journalist.
I'm glad I didn't give up and give in to it. It was hell when it was hell. But damn. It was worth it.
It wasn't anything easy to work through and I'll have to deal with it for all of my life, but it truly feels good to live when living doesn't mean hurting anymore. When it doesn't mean hurting myself or hurting others. And humility and clarity are two things I give thanks for everyday.
Thanks for the support, guys. And thanks for the never-ending love and consistency of that love, my beautiful parents and ever-faithful sisters.
2011 is going to kick so much fantastic ass.
the snob 
Reader Comments (49)
Well, hot damn!
Thank YOU, Miz Snob. You are an inspiration.
Oh, and it is no small thing, your sharing the information about your mental health journey.
May others follow your example in that regard, along with the Pro tip.
Carry on.
You better say it!!
Congratulations and I wish you continued success.
congrats!
WERK!!!! I am sooooo happy for you. You know I've been where you are and felt your pain. Just let us know when the party is and we'll be on I-95!
Congratulations !!
you are an inspiration...hands down! Good luck with the book, new job...so many amazing things for the new year & beyond!!
congrats on the new job
Congrats! As a psychologist, I'll be looking forward to reading your book and referring it to some of my clients. Bless your journey.
Congratulations! I look forward to the announcement and the book to come!
cool. keep up the good work.
Congratulations! I can't wait for the book!
Recession Proof: Traded In The Maserati...I'm Proud Of You All Instead Of Those Broke...& Still Frontin'
I'm so happy for you, Danielle! What an incredible start to 2011. Looks like Chocolate City is loving you right back!
Congratulations! Sounds like 2011 will be a great year for you!
Excellent news.
Woo hoo!
Yay!!!!!!! Congrats Snob : )
Congrats!!!! It's always nice to be employed! I'm sure you'll do great!! Let us know the name of the website so that we can check it out :-)
Congratulations!!!
Congrats Danielle! I hope you get a book deal soon- it sounds fascinating. All the best in 2011!
Congratulations on all your success. It makes me feel good to see someone who works hard rewarded with success. Keep doing what you're doing, Snob :-)
Live Long and Prosper!
I see you are covering money. I'm not sure what that means. I suggest these blogs Ritholtz.com, nakedcapitalism.com, ft.com-need a subscription for this one and calculatedrisk.blogspot.com.
Congratulations!!
Con-freaking-gratulations, Danielle! You deserve it! --And I LOVE that last line! ;-)
Congratulations Danielle! That picture is so perfect for this post! Do you feel that Danielle? That's the love of DC and the so many supporters of the Snob.