Kirsten pointed something out tonight... over the past few years, my attempts to do large-scale web design have pretty much all ended in one form of catastrophe or another. What hasn't ended in catastrophe has been my writing gigs. Of which I've now had a couple.
Since I actually do now write for a living, and have recently reprinted my first book, I'm beginning to wonder if I shouldn't be exploring that more, and embracing it. I'm thinking I should be looking into some sort of column-type work.
The question is... what to write? I'm good with the computer thing, but I already do that 8 hours a day. I'm not sure I want to be spending my free time writing about more computer things... But I'm unsure what I would write on, if not that.
So my question goes out to you, my faithful 2 readers... what do you think I should write? What non-technical things have you enjoyed reading about over the last few years of the blog's life? Would it be something along the Edmonton Splendour genre, or something else? I'm open to ideas.
I'm also still trying to work out whether or not I'll be heading into the MA program at the U of A. My manager at work has been really supportive of the whole thing, but in the end it will involve me taking a significant cut in my salary to do it. I'm not sure that we could afford to do it financially with the amount my salary would decrease. On the bright side, though, I'd still retain full benefits and full-time status (which would include, one presumes, the three weeks vacation, pension plan, etc). Nor am I sure whether the cut would be year-long, or would be restored in the summer when I can work full time again. I'd love to go into the program - it will suit me well. It's just a matter of whether or not we can afford it.
Why not write about your passion for hiking? Write about your experiences and show the true beauty and splendor that is Canada. Match that with your photography skills, you could write some decent works that others with similar interests may wish to know about.
And who knows... you might find encapsulating your experiences on paper to be a refreshing way to glance back on those 'tough hikes' that were worth it for the view!
-- Posted by >> SilverStr » Wednesday, August 18, 2004 01:47 AMI agree with SilverStr - but I also think you should try and pick up extra writing gigs - cruise Craig's - it's amazing what crops up there and how organizations are willing to allow telecommuting to see their ends met. Start with the major metros first, although, having said that, I picked up a small gig out of Honolulu :)
-- Posted by >> Nat » Wednesday, August 18, 2004 07:10 AMOne word. Porn.
Just remember the little people when you're a famous porn writer, k?
-- Posted by >> Arcterex » Wednesday, August 18, 2004 09:53 AMI'll be sure to get you a part in Midget Nazi Lesbians, the sequel.
-- Posted by >> Darren » Wednesday, August 18, 2004 10:27 AMYour manager is a handsome bastard and he sings like Eric Clapton when he plays guitar.
-- Posted by >> AreYouReallyTheMessiahYesIam » Wednesday, August 18, 2004 05:07 PMI'm thinking along the lines of Bridgette Gall's "Me, My House and I" sort of thing - house projects by someone who is just a regular, everyday non-contractor type.
-- Posted by >> Karen » Friday, August 20, 2004 02:00 AMOk I know you said that you didn't know if you wanted to write about computers after working with them all day. But truthfully what would you be writing on? So what about a Dear Darren column? Dear Darren: How do I explain to my wife about how important the computer is to our family life. Dear Darren: Do I really need to ground myself when I go into my tower? Maybe go to some of the newspapers and mags around Ed and ask them what they look for in freelance articles or if they would be interested in a Dear ComputerHead column. It might help you to gel an idea that is floating in your head that you don't know you have yet.
-- Posted by >> Tehya » Sunday, August 22, 2004 08:44 AMI always enjoy reading about your everyday life. You'd lose me if you geeked out too much.
-- Posted by >> Chrissie » Wednesday, August 25, 2004 07:09 PMPost a comment
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