Wishing for a Christmas Miracle
By Scott Keith on 21 December 2023
Hi Scott,
I come to you a little embarrassed and ashamed, but I've experienced the power of your blog when promoting my work a few years ago, and I am desperate now, so I decided to take a chance on your generosity and the kindness of your magnificent readers.
I'm also aware you have just posted a similar request a week ago from another reader, so I completely understand if you vote to ignore this. Or if you're readers see this and respond, 'We have shown enough compassion this season, let's beat him with sticks!'
I am a freelance writer who had relative success until Covid came in and kicked my ass in the form of losing multiple clients to either them going out of business or the cutting of freelance budgets. This put me into a rather nasty emotional and mental spiral that further cratered my career.
I've tried to make 2023 'The Great Comeback' but due to being drained from depression and what seems like a challenged market, I have had a long drought when it comes to regular work. When I tried applying to full-time work it led to lots of compliments and interviews, but it seems like bill collectors won't take those as payment. I even sought out minimum wage work, but they responded that I was too qualified and they didn't want to hire me since they knew I wouldn't stick around once my career picked up again.
I am optimistic that I will land work at the start of the new year, but this means no money for current debt and even worst of all, no money for Christmas gifts for my two kids or my son's birthday that falls on the next day. Of course, all of this is doing wonders for my mental health. My marriage hasn't rocketed toward heaven thanks to this mess of a year either. I am getting help for my mental health and relationships, but well, that is another fun cost thrown into my life.
I am sure during this time of year people are just overwhelmed with so much money to give, because what else is there to spend it on, right? But if someone just happens to find cash they wish they could throw it away. then I kindly request they at least give half a second to consider throwing it my way. Of course, they have no reason to do this, other than being an awesome human.
My year-long battle for consistent work and my sinking self-worth has also meant my pop culture side Beyond the Balcony, and my movie review podcast, The Movie Breakdown, have been mostly neglected by me this year. It likely means I have lost a lot of listeners and readers. I recognize both have played a big part in my career's prior success and so the plan is to start finding the time to focus on that along with whatever work I land.
The above link will take you to past podcast episodes to sample. Here are some samples of the writing work I've done. and one can decide if they think I'm worth supporting in these endeavours.
If you like my stuff then please consider a generous and kind donation through my PayPal. If you think I suck, then we can pretend this never happened and move on with our lives.
I hope to start up a Patreon next year and figure out different tiers for the site and podcast. For those that donate, I'd automatically put them on the tier connected with the money value if they were interested in being a subscriber. This can be seen as an early subscription payment.
If this ends up ignored, I'll survive. I still have my amazing family and I can share Christmas and my love with them. I will get through this, and your site and writing have always been a great source of making me feel better too. Thank you Scott for your years of entertaining reviews and wit
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays,
Christopher
A place to explore movies, the creative process and life itself – Beyond the Balcony