Leaving for a new job- last column

[bhmccorm]

Hello folks, looking for a little bit of advice here. I'm starting a new job soon and writing the "I've found someone else" column for the paper I'm leaving. I'm having a difficult time for several reasons, chief among them that I don't have much time to think about one right now between looking for a house in the new location and trying to get packed to move. I'm also not feeling very inspired, namely I don't want to write a puffy departure piece. Anyone got any suggestions, especially of good going away columns they've read, that might get the wheels in my head greased? Thanks--

 

[Ace]

Unless you feel really compelled (and it's obvious you aren't) don't do the goodbye column. Write something else and tag a note to the bottom.

 

[Rhody31]

If you've been there for a while - like a decade or in that ballpark, write one.
If you've been there for three years, don't. It's asinine.

 

[Versatile]

There are very few good farewell columns, and you're not going to write one if your heart's not in it. Unless you served the community for 20-plus years, you're good to go without one.

 

[jfs1000]

This should only be written by long-term people, who are ingrained in the community. These are vanity columns, but, in all seriousness, if you were recognized in the community it is fine to say goodbye. But, make sure you were that important.

 

[offwing28]

Got Twitter/Facebook/a blog that you refer to? No need for formality, maybe link to the stories you talk about... You'll reach your closest readers, and (nothing personal) it's probably better for the casual print readers that you leave them out of it. (Unless you are, as others mentioned, an institution, in which case by all means, but still, make it good).

 

[SixToe]

If you're coming on here asking for advice and admitting you're having a hard time coming up with things, that should be enough evidence you don't need to write one.

Write about someone else. Write it well. Tag it at the bottom that you're leaving and enjoyed the say, and then get the hell out.

 

[bpoindexter]

Unless you feel really compelled (and it's obvious you aren't) don't do the goodbye column. Write something else and tag a note to the bottom.

I agree.

 

[Versatile]

The other option is to write about someone in the sports community who you view as an unsung hero, someone who put in the time and made your job easier and more enjoyable. You can work in that it's your last column but focus on another person, serving both your needs.

 

[playthrough]

The other option is to write about someone in the sports community who you view as an unsung hero, someone who put in the time and made your job easier and more enjoyable. You can work in that it's your last column but focus on another person, serving both your needs.

Do this.

 

[jr/shotglass]

To summarize: Don't write a farewell column. :)

 

[Mark2010]

Yeah, I sort of agree. Unless you have something really compelling to say. These days, you can post something on Facebook or Twitter to let anyone who cares know where you are going.

 

[Petrie]

I worked at a place for 5 years, and my old boss wanted me to write one before I left. I said absolutely not. So instead of a quick editor's note on replacing the spot ("Petrie has left the Podunk Press; we will now run national columns every Tuesday in this place" or something of the sort), he writes this awkward tribute sort of thing (and takes credit for where I ended up, even though I went to a smaller shop and he didn't really provide any sort of professional help in my time there) before getting to what should've been the editor's note. Then he sent it to me.

Now if he writes a farewell column for himself (he's been there for 20-plus years and is an institution), then by all means he should. But I wasn't around long enough or felt important enough to even really say goodbye, besides "This is his last column." in the tagline. If you have to think about whether you should write a farewell, just save it.

 

[Tom Petty]

"suck it, *******. bhm out!"

there, it's written.

 

[jr/shotglass]

Now, see, that's stylish without being gaudy.

 

[Dawgpound17]

Mason Kelley had a good one recently when leaving the ST. "It's not easy to say goodbye, so instead I'll say thank you"

 

[Tom Petty]

Now, see, that's stylish without being gaudy.

you know, shots, it's all about an economy of words, isn't it?

 

[black dude with pompano]

There seems to have been a proliferation of needlessly lengthy going-away columns/blog entries in recent years. I've always been of the school of going out with dignity and humility. The less said about yourself, the better.

There is one college hack (much beloved in the SJ universe) who basically turned his final two weeks into a going-away tour on his blog/twitter account. The false modesty was poorly disguised and it was painful to read. Another hack (also much beloved) wrote about a 2,500 word goodbye blog entry immediately upon being hired...even though he still had three weeks to go at his current job.

I have no problem with writers who have developed an online following doing a short note of thank-yous. But I could do without these self-congratulatory manifestos poorly masked with a few aww-shucks here and there. You're not that important. Always remember that.

 

[Johnny Dangerously]

Just write the farewell column under a fake byline.

 

[Starman]

Just fade away. Here one day, gone the next.

If anybody cares, they'll find out where you went.

If they don't, they won't.