Writing on Fumes
Posted on Sunday, April 11, 2010 by Alex R. Cronk-Young
I'm not entirely sure what I expect to get out of this habit I've formed.
I mean, I'm really only writing on a regular basis, because I've gotten in the habit of writing on a regular basis. Vast cyber pits are filling with articles I've shit out with undetermined motivation. They are being lost to the winds of time, never to be read again -- if they were ever read in the first place.
I was trying to break into the videogame journalism field, right? I recall that being my original motivation, I'm just not sure if that is even a viable option for the future. And really, what is a viable option for the future?
I guess I enjoy writing enough that it wasn't a complete waste of time, but if it is time for me to move on I certainly don't know what to move on to.
Don't mistake this for some "lighting a fire under the ass" sort of declaration. I'm in a rut. I'll tell myself over and over again that I'm an average writer in an overflowing industry, and I need to seek out a real career path; but I won't do it.
A real career path just doesn't interest me. Nothing that has ever interested me in life is the result of a college degree, which seems to be the default "normal" career path starter. Still, I could easily fill the fingers on both hands with people who are sitting on degrees that they may never actually use. And honestly, I would probably never use any degree I ever even fathomed of getting.
Sitting in a classroom trying to absorb information that I'm told is important so that I can get a piece of paper that will help me get a job that I never wanted in the first place seems asinine. But then, everything about that entire system seems asinine. I'm a better worker, and much more intelligent, than the throngs of drunken stoners I graduated with -- but they've got that piece of paper, so they can get that job that neither of us want.
So what do I do? Throw myself into the biggest load of bullshit ever so that I can get spit out the other side a soul-less man, or keep striving to achieve something that has been dying a slow death for several years? I know, it's a Sophie's Choice, but I guess I've gotta make it. Can I cut them both in half?
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2 Response to "Writing on Fumes"
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Anonymous Says....Since I'm in the same boat right now, I unfortunately can't be of much help, but I know what you mean about not being interested in something enough to spend an enormous sum of money (and time) on a degree that might not even be worth anything.
Even though the economy is poor, I think current game journalists are killing growth in the industry by continuing to do the same thing they've always done. They rely too much on their name, and refuse to listen to the ideas of newcomers. I really think some entrepreneur who loves games and has the start-up capital needs to form a new company, invite in passionate gamers who can write, and kick some doors down. But that's just one man's crazy idea.
I hope your writing pays off regardless of whether or not you continue on this path.
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Anonymous Says....I think you should take computer science. Like programming and stuff. Programmers do pretty well for themselves, and programming is neither hard nor does it take a long time to learn. They make pretty good money too. It's a safe bet when you have nothing better to do.
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