Good News - Cover Letter and 4 Samples
You Just Made My Day
Our Amazing Friend Bill
The Brightest and the Best
Irene
Cover Letter- with logo-
OK the text needs work, but it’s a good ,positive concept and pitch- and this is before the "ChickenSoup" and "For Idiots" series basted off… how about “Chicken Soup for Idiots” Or "The Moron's Guide to Chicken Soup for Idiots"????
*****************************
“The bad news is- unfortunatlely ,but necessarily prominent each day in our newspapers to the extent tha tmany turn sadly away from the front page display of man’s inhumanity and nature’s disasters with the comment:” I don’t read the paper anymore; it’s too depressing!” To paraphrase Charles Dickens,amidst this very well publicized testimony that our era is “the worst of times”, “The Good News” is that countless inspiring acts of human kindness,compassion ,courage and creativity also make our era “the best of times”. These stories should be made front page news. The reading and potential reading public needs and wants it. Good News has the power to foster healing, hope and more…
Good News is a proposed syndicated, front page special feature of human interest stories that spotlight helpful, humorous and inspirational encounters and experiences. Some items of approximately 250 words will be contributed by the Roche-Cotter Family (of educational and healthcare professionals and optimistice humanitarians) : others will be freely submitted by readers for possible editing and publication, thus dreating an interactive reader network.
We are sending along foru samples for your preview. Also enclosed is a postcard on which we would appreciate your noting that you received this material, as well as a stamped addressed envelope in which this material can be returned to us if necessary.
We read that there is always a “Writer’s Market” for really good, really different features…for fresh, innovative material that may be overlooked by other syndicates”.
We hope you agree that “Good News” has just that special promise and we look forward to hearing from you soon!
Mike Cotter Cyndy Roche –Cotter
******************************
“You Just Made My Day”
I was very discouraged as I left the night club and waited for the bus with my guitars in hand. The owner, staff and few patrons at that off-hour had been reasonalby receptive to my original songs. “Those are nice tunes”, the proprietor said, “but this is a big tourist club (the likes of The Smothers Brothers had performed there and with a recognition of that classy status I had worn my one and only 3 piece corduroy suit!) “When people come in “,he continued ,”they want to drink,talk, andmaybe listen or sing a long to some songs they know from the radio. Come on back when you know some popular songs like that.” I said thanks but probably no thanks and as I boarded the bus back to San Francisco’s Mission District I “never felt mor like singing the blues.” I had been to quite a number of auditions, had a few paying gigs, but my aspiration to become a successful songwriter and make a living from it,seemed stymied. The cross-country trip with Cyndy and Joe was absolutley wonderful and inspired many new songs , but the “career” was going nowhere. Trudging down the bus aisle with my two guitars and three piece suit I sank with a sigh into the last seat ostensibly to wallow in selgf pity. A young woman no doubt sensing my low spirits ,turned around, smiled and (unsolicited) said\,”You look lovely in that suit!” Instantly I laughed and replied , “thanks- I really needed that. You just made my day!” For the remainder of the ride we exchanged life stories and at my stop I thanked her for her kindness, headed to our friends’s apartment with a much lighter heart and related the tale to Cyndy . Within twenty-four hours I had the words and music to a good samaritan anthem called
“You Just Made My Day”.
I was bussing on downtown, felt like I was going nowhere,
When a lady turned around to me and smilingly declared-
She said, “You look lovely in your 3 piece corduroy”.
And I replied instantly –“You have cheered this needy boy!”
Chorus
Don’t you know that you –
You just made my day…you just made my day!
with your special touch, thank you oh so much, you just made my day!
Well, pursue your daily regimen, be loving all the way.
A good word, a smile ,a helping hand –
Will just make somebody’s day
Chorus-
I have sung that simple song and shared that story hundreds of times and is always reminds me that the small kindnesses are often the greatest gifts we give to one another as fellow human beings. A good word, a smile, a helping hand will just make somebody’s day. That’s “Good News”!
********************
“Our Amazing Friend Bill”
“Now don’t be scared when you see me do this; people get scared; I’m all right!” With that preface , down went the back of the elecric wheelchair against the bed. Using a combination of olympic wiggling, power elbowing , two-finger pullups on siderails and trapeze, Bill transferred from the chair to the bed. He was winded. I was amazed! Though his were withered , his arms were very strong. “Been doing that at least twice a day for years- the man on the flying trapeze, that’s me”, Bill declared. This stunning transfer was my introduction to “Bill N” , a truly courageous man in his 70’s living with the physical burden of cerebral palsy, navigating his way through life in a wheel chair , guided with astonishing will,wit and faith. I was privileged to join a circle of home health aides and nurses who cared for Bill in his special home (during my two years of nursing school). First , he was my patient; soon he became my friend. My wife Cyndy , the inspiration for my career change from teacher to nurse, had treasured her home visits with Bill for a number of years and had hoped that I would someday meet him. As fate would have it… We shared life experiences , plilosophy, lots of laughter, some tears man to man during my weekly visits to his handicap –equipped apartment. A special common obnd was music , the great bands and singers of the 30’s through the 50’s. We’d swap copies of tapes and at Christmas have a live songfest with some talented young musician friends of mine.
Bill related his pesonal adventures too: taking care of his ailing parents,proving to a doubting doctor when they passed away that he could in fact live independently and would not have to live from the age of 22 in a nursing home. He had experienced the worst in people when robbed at knife point and another time when he returned to his ransacked apartment. (Somehow it seemed just that the local police apprenhended the perpetrator and he experienced some non-life threatening ,but definitely threatening injuries on his way to the station house.) These cruel encnounters in no way soured Bill toward his fellow man because he has seen the best in people, especially the wonderful “adoptive” family which shares his life. Ask anyone among his helping family and friends and each will say much more is received than is given in the relationship with Bill. He’s a pleasure and a treasure to know! After a mild stroke and a two month hospitalization he made the heart-rending decision to give up his beloved apartment and move to a nearby nursing home. “I’ve cried myself to sleep more than once , but I’ve accepted this as my new life”, Bill says. “There are compromises ;I’m secure here ,have good care and some friends and I can keep listening to my music. I have ups and downs , but I just keep going.”
I just keep going too- each week to visit Bill, to share an occasional sorrow, but always his laughter, music and truly inspiring friendship!
*************
“The Brightest and the Best”
What’s right with yong people today? An extra-ordinary example is Rick S whom I first met at SLRHS where he was a student and I a teacher. Our initial encounter was at a faculty –community Christmas party at which he, some student friends and I provided the music. That was eight years ago and every Christmas since, we have shared holiday cheer with people in hospitals, nursing homes, shelters, and private homes, sharing the powerful and joyful gift of song. Throughout his high school years Rick was an outstanding scholar, athlete, and helper to the community by involvement in abuse prevention programs, tutoring and sports. His peers redognized his special contributions and character by electing him Senior Class President. It was my honor to recommend him for a Governor’s citiation for service and for acceptance to a number of highly ranked colleges – always with the phrase “the best and the brightest”. Dduring his four years at Holy Cross he again excelled in studies, played baseball, and served the school and community as a peer advisor and Big Brother. Though not selected (he most surely should have been) his name was placed in nomination for a Rhodes Scholarship. It was a thrilling experience to join family and friends as we listened to his valedictory address so full of idealism in action. Characteristically he chose not to pursue prestige and financial rewards, but rather to teach in a needy urban school far from home in Chicago as a member of a volunteer teaching corps. One morning by chance I turned on CNN and there he was on national television explaining his work as part of a feature spotlighting the social contributions of recent college grads! Through it all he exhibits a wonderful balance and vitality whether working intensely for others, volunteering for political action, enjoying a ballgame or concert, spending time with his family and fiancee orplaying that guitar and singing for the happiness of others. Such sincerity ,generosity and spirit is truly “awesome” ,dazzling like some magnificent individual firework which gives laughter, light and hope. It is no coincidence then that my young friend , one of the brightest and best of his generation,celebrates his birthday on the Fourth of July!
******************************
\
“Irene”
“What’s the good of having acommunity health center if they can’t do a home visit? If you are over 90 years old you deserve it!” ,declared Irene E when I returned her call to the health center where I am employed as a Family Nurse Practitioner. Thus began my relationship with an amazing woman and an unwritten policy –over 90 wins you a home visit if yo desire. After all, how many people could that involve? We should be more flexible to meet the needs of our most senior citizens.
That afternoon I ended my day a little earlier and took the five minute walk to Mrs E’s cottage on the waterfront. When I entered the little house I found a perky and petite woman with a thick thatch of hair, rising from her easy chair to greet me. She hustled across the room and showed me to a chair across from her. The room was cozy and bright with crisp ruffly curtains and a welcoming glow from her electric “fireplace”. Mrs E explained that she was not ill, but felt she needed a “check-up” and did not want to leave her home anymore due to her age. She lived there alone with nieces and close friends on the street who checked in on her daily to see how she was and to do her errands. After I performed a brief exam and found her in excellent health, she began to tell me the remarkable story of her three children with muscular dystrophy.
“They were very happy children” is how she always begins any tale regarding them. The oldest was Jean, then four years later came Buddy and finally the youngest Dave who lived the longest. They all had their own teachers who came to the home and helped them grade by grade until they received their high school diplomas. Irene and her husband George provided each child with an allowance to develop individual interests. Jean bought articles for a leper colony for many years. Buddy spent his on books. Dave was a short-wave radio operator and developed many friendships over the airwaves. Their home must have been like a community center where neighborhood adults and children would gather to sing, have card games, and play with a huge model train set Dave had assembled in the basement.
Irene tells their story with such a lively and happy spirit that the listener knows that this is no tragic tale,but a story of the triumph of two wonderful parents who gave their children the richest possible experience that could be provided in their shortened lifespans.
Each time I visit ,more and more frequently and more as a friend than as a nurse,my life is enriched by the stories Irene tells me from the perspective of 98 years, of a life well lived…
*******************
(Well,we sent this out to about 20 syndicates and not surprisingly none was interested ...or were they? and stole our idea for a la chicken soup and idiots...perhaps it's time to offer the comfort of "meatballs for the modern man"...
You Just Made My Day
Our Amazing Friend Bill
The Brightest and the Best
Irene
Cover Letter- with logo-
OK the text needs work, but it’s a good ,positive concept and pitch- and this is before the "ChickenSoup" and "For Idiots" series basted off… how about “Chicken Soup for Idiots” Or "The Moron's Guide to Chicken Soup for Idiots"????
*****************************
“The bad news is- unfortunatlely ,but necessarily prominent each day in our newspapers to the extent tha tmany turn sadly away from the front page display of man’s inhumanity and nature’s disasters with the comment:” I don’t read the paper anymore; it’s too depressing!” To paraphrase Charles Dickens,amidst this very well publicized testimony that our era is “the worst of times”, “The Good News” is that countless inspiring acts of human kindness,compassion ,courage and creativity also make our era “the best of times”. These stories should be made front page news. The reading and potential reading public needs and wants it. Good News has the power to foster healing, hope and more…
Good News is a proposed syndicated, front page special feature of human interest stories that spotlight helpful, humorous and inspirational encounters and experiences. Some items of approximately 250 words will be contributed by the Roche-Cotter Family (of educational and healthcare professionals and optimistice humanitarians) : others will be freely submitted by readers for possible editing and publication, thus dreating an interactive reader network.
We are sending along foru samples for your preview. Also enclosed is a postcard on which we would appreciate your noting that you received this material, as well as a stamped addressed envelope in which this material can be returned to us if necessary.
We read that there is always a “Writer’s Market” for really good, really different features…for fresh, innovative material that may be overlooked by other syndicates”.
We hope you agree that “Good News” has just that special promise and we look forward to hearing from you soon!
Mike Cotter Cyndy Roche –Cotter
******************************
“You Just Made My Day”
I was very discouraged as I left the night club and waited for the bus with my guitars in hand. The owner, staff and few patrons at that off-hour had been reasonalby receptive to my original songs. “Those are nice tunes”, the proprietor said, “but this is a big tourist club (the likes of The Smothers Brothers had performed there and with a recognition of that classy status I had worn my one and only 3 piece corduroy suit!) “When people come in “,he continued ,”they want to drink,talk, andmaybe listen or sing a long to some songs they know from the radio. Come on back when you know some popular songs like that.” I said thanks but probably no thanks and as I boarded the bus back to San Francisco’s Mission District I “never felt mor like singing the blues.” I had been to quite a number of auditions, had a few paying gigs, but my aspiration to become a successful songwriter and make a living from it,seemed stymied. The cross-country trip with Cyndy and Joe was absolutley wonderful and inspired many new songs , but the “career” was going nowhere. Trudging down the bus aisle with my two guitars and three piece suit I sank with a sigh into the last seat ostensibly to wallow in selgf pity. A young woman no doubt sensing my low spirits ,turned around, smiled and (unsolicited) said\,”You look lovely in that suit!” Instantly I laughed and replied , “thanks- I really needed that. You just made my day!” For the remainder of the ride we exchanged life stories and at my stop I thanked her for her kindness, headed to our friends’s apartment with a much lighter heart and related the tale to Cyndy . Within twenty-four hours I had the words and music to a good samaritan anthem called
“You Just Made My Day”.
I was bussing on downtown, felt like I was going nowhere,
When a lady turned around to me and smilingly declared-
She said, “You look lovely in your 3 piece corduroy”.
And I replied instantly –“You have cheered this needy boy!”
Chorus
Don’t you know that you –
You just made my day…you just made my day!
with your special touch, thank you oh so much, you just made my day!
Well, pursue your daily regimen, be loving all the way.
A good word, a smile ,a helping hand –
Will just make somebody’s day
Chorus-
I have sung that simple song and shared that story hundreds of times and is always reminds me that the small kindnesses are often the greatest gifts we give to one another as fellow human beings. A good word, a smile, a helping hand will just make somebody’s day. That’s “Good News”!
********************
“Our Amazing Friend Bill”
“Now don’t be scared when you see me do this; people get scared; I’m all right!” With that preface , down went the back of the elecric wheelchair against the bed. Using a combination of olympic wiggling, power elbowing , two-finger pullups on siderails and trapeze, Bill transferred from the chair to the bed. He was winded. I was amazed! Though his were withered , his arms were very strong. “Been doing that at least twice a day for years- the man on the flying trapeze, that’s me”, Bill declared. This stunning transfer was my introduction to “Bill N” , a truly courageous man in his 70’s living with the physical burden of cerebral palsy, navigating his way through life in a wheel chair , guided with astonishing will,wit and faith. I was privileged to join a circle of home health aides and nurses who cared for Bill in his special home (during my two years of nursing school). First , he was my patient; soon he became my friend. My wife Cyndy , the inspiration for my career change from teacher to nurse, had treasured her home visits with Bill for a number of years and had hoped that I would someday meet him. As fate would have it… We shared life experiences , plilosophy, lots of laughter, some tears man to man during my weekly visits to his handicap –equipped apartment. A special common obnd was music , the great bands and singers of the 30’s through the 50’s. We’d swap copies of tapes and at Christmas have a live songfest with some talented young musician friends of mine.
Bill related his pesonal adventures too: taking care of his ailing parents,proving to a doubting doctor when they passed away that he could in fact live independently and would not have to live from the age of 22 in a nursing home. He had experienced the worst in people when robbed at knife point and another time when he returned to his ransacked apartment. (Somehow it seemed just that the local police apprenhended the perpetrator and he experienced some non-life threatening ,but definitely threatening injuries on his way to the station house.) These cruel encnounters in no way soured Bill toward his fellow man because he has seen the best in people, especially the wonderful “adoptive” family which shares his life. Ask anyone among his helping family and friends and each will say much more is received than is given in the relationship with Bill. He’s a pleasure and a treasure to know! After a mild stroke and a two month hospitalization he made the heart-rending decision to give up his beloved apartment and move to a nearby nursing home. “I’ve cried myself to sleep more than once , but I’ve accepted this as my new life”, Bill says. “There are compromises ;I’m secure here ,have good care and some friends and I can keep listening to my music. I have ups and downs , but I just keep going.”
I just keep going too- each week to visit Bill, to share an occasional sorrow, but always his laughter, music and truly inspiring friendship!
*************
“The Brightest and the Best”
What’s right with yong people today? An extra-ordinary example is Rick S whom I first met at SLRHS where he was a student and I a teacher. Our initial encounter was at a faculty –community Christmas party at which he, some student friends and I provided the music. That was eight years ago and every Christmas since, we have shared holiday cheer with people in hospitals, nursing homes, shelters, and private homes, sharing the powerful and joyful gift of song. Throughout his high school years Rick was an outstanding scholar, athlete, and helper to the community by involvement in abuse prevention programs, tutoring and sports. His peers redognized his special contributions and character by electing him Senior Class President. It was my honor to recommend him for a Governor’s citiation for service and for acceptance to a number of highly ranked colleges – always with the phrase “the best and the brightest”. Dduring his four years at Holy Cross he again excelled in studies, played baseball, and served the school and community as a peer advisor and Big Brother. Though not selected (he most surely should have been) his name was placed in nomination for a Rhodes Scholarship. It was a thrilling experience to join family and friends as we listened to his valedictory address so full of idealism in action. Characteristically he chose not to pursue prestige and financial rewards, but rather to teach in a needy urban school far from home in Chicago as a member of a volunteer teaching corps. One morning by chance I turned on CNN and there he was on national television explaining his work as part of a feature spotlighting the social contributions of recent college grads! Through it all he exhibits a wonderful balance and vitality whether working intensely for others, volunteering for political action, enjoying a ballgame or concert, spending time with his family and fiancee orplaying that guitar and singing for the happiness of others. Such sincerity ,generosity and spirit is truly “awesome” ,dazzling like some magnificent individual firework which gives laughter, light and hope. It is no coincidence then that my young friend , one of the brightest and best of his generation,celebrates his birthday on the Fourth of July!
******************************
\
“Irene”
“What’s the good of having acommunity health center if they can’t do a home visit? If you are over 90 years old you deserve it!” ,declared Irene E when I returned her call to the health center where I am employed as a Family Nurse Practitioner. Thus began my relationship with an amazing woman and an unwritten policy –over 90 wins you a home visit if yo desire. After all, how many people could that involve? We should be more flexible to meet the needs of our most senior citizens.
That afternoon I ended my day a little earlier and took the five minute walk to Mrs E’s cottage on the waterfront. When I entered the little house I found a perky and petite woman with a thick thatch of hair, rising from her easy chair to greet me. She hustled across the room and showed me to a chair across from her. The room was cozy and bright with crisp ruffly curtains and a welcoming glow from her electric “fireplace”. Mrs E explained that she was not ill, but felt she needed a “check-up” and did not want to leave her home anymore due to her age. She lived there alone with nieces and close friends on the street who checked in on her daily to see how she was and to do her errands. After I performed a brief exam and found her in excellent health, she began to tell me the remarkable story of her three children with muscular dystrophy.
“They were very happy children” is how she always begins any tale regarding them. The oldest was Jean, then four years later came Buddy and finally the youngest Dave who lived the longest. They all had their own teachers who came to the home and helped them grade by grade until they received their high school diplomas. Irene and her husband George provided each child with an allowance to develop individual interests. Jean bought articles for a leper colony for many years. Buddy spent his on books. Dave was a short-wave radio operator and developed many friendships over the airwaves. Their home must have been like a community center where neighborhood adults and children would gather to sing, have card games, and play with a huge model train set Dave had assembled in the basement.
Irene tells their story with such a lively and happy spirit that the listener knows that this is no tragic tale,but a story of the triumph of two wonderful parents who gave their children the richest possible experience that could be provided in their shortened lifespans.
Each time I visit ,more and more frequently and more as a friend than as a nurse,my life is enriched by the stories Irene tells me from the perspective of 98 years, of a life well lived…
*******************
(Well,we sent this out to about 20 syndicates and not surprisingly none was interested ...or were they? and stole our idea for a la chicken soup and idiots...perhaps it's time to offer the comfort of "meatballs for the modern man"...
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