I hesitated writing anything to mark this occasion, as the risk of verbal diarrhea — some of it potentially maudlin — is ever-present. Yet here I am, typing a farewell missive to you, dear reader.
The time has come to try something else, something new, so this will be my last post at a publication that’s been my home for the past four years or so.
Sometimes impostor syndrome doesn’t let up. It didn’t in this case, and many — readers, those in the journo sphere — might say “with good reason.” You’ll notice I never referred to myself as a journalist, only as a writer or your author. There was a reason for that, and not just because of my feelings about some of the Borg-like sermon deliverers in this business.
None of those here at TTAC, though. I’m not being disingenuous when I say the good people I’ve worked with here are some of the best I’ve ever met. Their presence was a reassuring balm for the soul; shelter from the storm of our fractured and polarized culture. Our discussions were lively and varied and hilarious, and no one had to fear ostracization or expulsion for expressing a dissenting opinion in our Slack chats — be it about cars, politics, or life. Maybe that makes TTAC special.
Scratch that, I know it does.
No, I won’t reappear at some other outlet, nor in a politician’s office (God forbid), nor deep within the bowels of an automaker I’ve always carried a torch for, so you won’t get to hear me mouth something about exerting my will as a relative nobody to make the industry better from within. It’ll carry on doing what it does — chasing mobility projects that drain my arteries of hot plasma and leave me fearing the future.
So, having said all that, I leave you in the hope that something I wrote over these past many months and years caused you to crack a smile.
It’s been a privilege.
[Image: Steph Willems/TTAC]
So long and best of luck in your future endeavours. Thanks for your contributions.
Happy motoring! Drive safely.
There was once a months-long stretch not too many moons ago when the TTAC masthead was empty at the top. The recipe for pushing the site forward: let Steph Willems and Tim Cain fill the site with as much content as possible.
We always had a blast working together, but those months were a ton of fun. In fact, it was the most fun I’ve ever had during my decade or so of full-time auto writing. He’s immensely capable. He knows a lot about a lot of things and more than enough about everything else.
Perhaps there will come a day when an automotive website pops up with no names at the top of the masthead. It will be entirely devoted to Odysseys and two-door Camrys.
You will be missed, Steph. All the best in your new endeavors.
Well said Steph. Your absence around here will be very noticeable.
I hope you enjoy your new career direction, and find it as exciting as the various Oldsmobile products we discuss so often.
I know I’ll still catch you on The Twitter, probably with some of my heckblendes.
Take care!
Good luck with things. Hope you stop by sometimes.
Steph, you served-up some of the best word salad I ever consumed, good luck for a bright future
I’ll miss you Steph. Thank you for everything.
Keep the faith and stay safe.
Steph , hope the ride ahead is a good one! Thanks for all your efforts here.
You did a bang-up job, Steph, and you’re leaving some pretty big shoes to fill.
Take care and we’ll see you in the comments.
I am bummed to see you are leaving. Your byline on any article meant it was interesting and well written. TTAC Best of Breed.
A job well done – you are a linguistic master !
Hope you participate in comment section ( at least on occasion ! )
I wish you well !
Thanks and best wishes to you, Steph.
I already said something nice in the other article. Don’t make me do it here too!
Best of luck.
“Borg”?…more like a Tellarite ! Good fortune to you for whatever you may pursue. Loved your writing style.
Ole Dave
“Deep Woods”, TN
Back in an earlier time, I met a former TTAC – EIC for a coffee..Of course being Canucks I don’t need to name the coffee shop eh ?
Anyway the nameless dude spoke very highly of you. Words like asset, anchor, indispensable etc. I’m sorry to see you go .Best of luck in future endeavours
Best of luck in the future. As they say, so long and thanks for all the fish.
Good luck.
I for one never look at who writes what anywhere across the web. I keep no scorecard. I just read something if the headline makes me interested. Try to find ONE thing I didn’t know and move on. I am not sure what imposter syndrome is, I can guess… I COULD google.. but I will presume I have a feeling. I do the automotive site contribution thing as well, not for money but for access to drive other people’s cars FAST and have fun. I have succeeded in that goal. This might have happened more than once and I did not pay attention or remember, but at least ONCE I do remember TTAC person/s at event/s and even sitting and talking with one/some. It is what it is. No way could it ever replace my day job $$$$.
Again, Good luck.
Farewell my friend. Good luck in your future endeavors.
Happy trails to a very excellent writer.
:-)
Somewhat late, but best wishes, Steph!