The Sound Of My Trumpet Being Blown

[LesFloyd]

I think I've become a proper writer. The article I had in the paper last month was just the start of a very special time of my life...

Here's what I can crow about now:

1) A second article will be published in the News & Star later today (July 4th). It's written on the subject of carers, and in particular a local carer who has created an internet pressure group to tackle the poor treatment of carers the nation over. I also learnt that carers save the UK government £57 BILLION per year, which is enough to fund a second NHS. 

2) I picked up a freelance writing job, which involves me playing Final Fantasy XI for the next two months, writing a game guide and actually getting paid for it! Haha... Dream job. I love Final Fantasy. 

3) I now work part-time for the News & Star, here in Carlisle. I'll be helping to improve the website, with new ideas and analysis of other strong news site. 'We' just missed out on taking the award for best regional site, in the UK Regional Press Awards on 1st July. I'm going to be a part of making sure we win it next year. 

4) On the strength of a reference given to me, by the Deputy Editor of the paper, it looks extremely likely that I could be 'fast-tracked' onto a BA (Hons) Journalism course in September, rather than having to go for the pre-degree Year Zero course. I'll paste the reference on the end here. It's very special to me, and great to be given some credit for the hard work I've done of late.

5) I've been asked to write a 600 word feature article, for the News & Star again, about my weight-loss efforts. With just over two months gone, I've lost two and a half stone (36lb) towards my total target of five stone (70lb). I hope the feature inspires people to follow my lead and lose weight.

6) The local NHS Trust is printing my 'Mr Sheep' cartoons in the next issue of their newsletter.

7) Same NHS Trust newsletter wants me to write an ongoing column for each of their quarterly issues, and is paying me £50 per time, for 500 words per issue. 

I'm amazed how far my life has come in the space of less than three months. This is what living is like! 

The Reference:

I have known Les Floyd for a relatively short time, but I have been so impressed with him that I have no hesitation in recommending him to you as a student.

Les has been our most prolific blogger on the News & Star's website and has always shown a professional attitude to sending his blogs every day. He has also shown an encouraging desire to ensure he is accurate and fair in what he writes.

He has written thousands of words about his personal life and has always done so in a way which engages the reader. Les has also written an article for our business page and I was very impressed with the standard of his copy which was way above what we normally receive from work experience students or undergraduates.

Les will have no doubt have told you about some of the health problems he has had to overcome. I do not know about these issues in any great detail, but I have been genuinely impressed with Les's determination to persevere with his writing.

If Les was to get a place on your course I would be happy to offer him work experience and support during his studies.

Les may not have the qualifications or experience of some other candidates, but he does have important attributes that are so often lacking in the would-be journalists we see at the News & Star: good writing skills; determination; curiosity and plenty of ideas about potential stories.

[SharonBell]

BLOW AWAY!! Good at ya!! xoxo

[Ed]

Wow   Well done, Les.  All your hard work is paying off bigtime

[Missy]

Well done, Les!
I'm extremely intereted in the two and a half stone weight loss. Can you tell me how to lose a stone before my holiday on August 20th. I will pay.

[JoyceCarter]

What EXCELLENT news, Les!     Good for you!

[LesFloyd]

Thanks peeps! 

I think it's about time I had some good news in life, though I hope I can help others through my writing, too.

Missy... I can't find your email address. Give me a shout at lesfloyd (at) gmail.com and I will reveal all of my mysterious secrets to you... hehe...

August 20th is loads of time. You can easy lose a stone before then. I'm sure I can help! 


_{(edited to hide your e-mail addy from any crawling spiders, Les - the damn things get everywhere)}

[Walker]

That's really great Les, you're really on a roll! Congrats, it's always good to see deserving people get a fair shake from time to time.

[Missy]

Cheers Les!  Will drop you a line. Please tell me this doesn't involve any exercise other than lifting a cup of tea. Perhaps the odd walk up and down the stairs........

[LesFloyd]

Hahaha... Get in touch. It is the only fool-proof, eat whatever you like (within reason) system you'll ever need. It will change your life and your future! 

(I'm serious, too!)

[canadian]

Les, you're my hero! Didn't I tell you months ago that this was all going to happen? HEY!! Maybe you and I can combine our skills and set up shop as "Lose & Foretell -- Guaranteed Weight Loss and Pretty Accurate Premonitions".  :lol: