2010 YCA Acceptance Speech: Contributor of the Year

When I first signed up to write articles for Associated Content-now the Yahoo! Contributor Network-my intention was only to learn about writing for the web, perhaps while earning a few extra dollars. Those first few articles, which were really just an experiment in this new career path I was considering, snowballed dramatically over subsequent months.

It never occurred to me that, four and a half years later, I would be writing an acceptance speech for the Yahoo! Contributor Awards, much less in the category of Contributor of the Year.

I have no doubt that, if it weren't for this web site, I would never have pursued a career as a freelance writer. Not only did I learn the basics of writing for the web, but I discovered a diverse community of talented writers whose goals are similar to mine. I found a built-in support system and a never-ending stream of interesting, engaging content with which to occupy myself-and from which I derive continuous inspiration.

There are so many amazing writers here at the Yahoo! Contributor Network. Writers who take time out of their busy lives to share information they feel will be useful to readers, who answer questions in the YCN forums, who encourage one another for no other reason than because it is needed.

I hesitate to name any of the writers who have inspired and amazed me over the last few years, as such a list would take hours to compile. However, at the risk of leaving out most of those people, I should tell you that you are missing out if you have not been reading content produced by Angie Mohr, Charlene Collins, Christine Bude Nyholm, Emohrman, Lyn Lomasi, Pam Gaulin, theBarefoot, Carol Bengle Gilbert, and Charlotte Kuchinsky.

There are many others, believe me, and I wish I had the space to name everyone.

In addition to the community of writers, photographers, and videographers at the Yahoo! Contributor Network, I'm also fortunate to have interacted with many members of the staff, each of whom displays exceptional professionalism and a singular devotion to us contributors. In particular, Leah and Tori have always walked me patiently through new projects and answered all of my inane questions, never giving any indication that they would have preferred to throttle me.

But most importantly, perhaps, I'm grateful to the readers who have stumbled upon my work in one way or another, who have been kind enough to leave thoughtful comments, and who have written to me to express either gratitude or outrage. Not a week goes by that I don't receive a message or two from someone who either agrees with every point I make or believes I'm not worthy of the digital paper on which my work is printed. Both points are valid, and it is the free exchange of ideas that brings me to my desk every morning.

I am honored and humbled to be named one of the 2011 Contributors of the Year. And to everyone else who won prizes at the Yahoo! Contributor Awards, I extend my sincere congratulations.