conjunction junction, what’s your function?
I’m a writer.
I’m barely able to say that without giggling at this point, despite the fact that I’ve been professionally employed as a writer since 2005. Well, 2004, really, but I was freelancing at the time, and I don’t know that you could call what I was doing either “professional” or “employed.”
More “poor” and “oh my gosh.”
It seems like such a pretentious title to give myself, because what the heck is a writer? Well, it’s someone who writes.
Do you need to have readers to have the title? Does your writing need to make money to have the title? Do you need to write in a certain place to have the title? Or do you just need to have a pen and a piece of paper? I know plenty of people who “write for themselves” who far outstrip me in terms of writerly skill. They don’t need titles to be good.
In fact, reading blogs by non-employed writers is actually a great way to humble myself, especially when I realize that a lot of dentists and stay-at-home moms and computer programmers could kick my ass at what I do.
But people ask me what I do for a living, and I have to say something, so… yeah.
I don’t think I’m all the writer I should be or could be, though.
I think I should be doing a lot more writing, in different areas, of different types, and for different people. There are a lot of words in my brain yet to tumble out of my fingers onto the screen, and a lot of fresh perspective I know I could bring to different ideas and issues.
I have to start submitting my work to people who can put it places it needs to be. And I have to do that with the knowledge and confidence that I deserve to be read far more than I am right now.
But… whoa.
I’m confident at trivia, at making men over, at standing in front of microphones, in choosing the right melon, and at hugging.
Marketing myself? Not so much.
I believe in my ability. I know I can write. But to stand up and say, I CAN WRITE FOR YOU BETTER THAN THAT OTHER GUY, CHOOSE ME NOW?
That may require the assistance of an anti-inertia bomb… and a full suit of hockey pads to fend off the rejection letters. Because they’ll come, you know. It’s a tough, tough gig.
But I started this journey three years ago without any true experience or understanding of what it would. I left security behind, took the risk and faced all the ups and downs that came with it. And I wouldn’t change that decision.
I just need to find the way to push myself to the next step down the path.
And a bit of inspiration from you.
So:
1. How did you come to choose what you’re doing with your life right now?
2. Have you ever had to motivate yourself to achieve a different kind of success in your work? How did you do it?
3. Do you live to work, or work to live? Why?
4. Do you believe passion is a major ingredient in the work you do?
5. What’s the best career advice you ever received?
And…
1. Do you read often? What do you read?
2. Do you read for pleasure or just information?
3. What engages you in writing?
4. What do you think are the essential elements in “good” writing?
If you choose to answer any of these questions, I’d appreciate it. I think learning from other people is essential, even if you do have to make your own call and kick your own ass in the end.
Thanks!
October 26th, 2007 at 10:59 am
okay, i don’t really have any answers to the questions since i am now a stay-at-home-mom, which, actually, is the “career” i’ve always wanted, but any advice i could offer about my job is not really applicable to other lines of work.
as for reading, i LOVE to read, but hardly have the time these days, other than to take a few minutes each day to catch up on my favorite blogs.
but, i do want to say that i admire your writing and wish that i had one ounce of the skill you have as a writer. you better get yourself out there and sell yourself because you’ve got mad skillz, ms. fowler, and the world needs your words. so, start kicking your own ass or i will find my way to vancouver and kick your ass for you.
October 26th, 2007 at 11:15 am
Gosh Meg. You really ask the tough questions. Here it goes…
1. How did you come to choose what you’re doing with your life right now?
I am a professional musician, mostly. I’ve always known this is what I was going to “be”. I have my fingers in all sorts of musical pies, mostly because you have to!
2. Have you ever had to motivate yourself to achieve a different kind of success in your work? How did you do it?
Oh yeah. I grew tired of playing in bars where drunk people were the majority of the audience. Now I play children’s’ music! I get to play in schools, music festivals and community halls in funky communities and the audience is filled with families! Fun on the run! I write my own music but often have huge fears about showing it to anyone. I’d rather sit naked in front of you than play you my song. Weird, eh?
3. Do you live to work, or work to live? Why?
Definitely live to work. It doesn’t even feel like work most of the time, it’s playing!
4. Do you believe passion is a major ingredient in the work you do?
It has to be.
5. What’s the best career advice you ever received?
My friend Vince said “Aways find the little corner of joy in every song you play.”
1. Do you read often? What do you read?
I read lots of Canadian fiction. Love Atwood. Also love Kurt Vonnegut, even though he’s not Canadian! Also love reading alternative media mags.
2. Do you read for pleasure or just information?
Both.
3. What engages you in writing?
Hmm… replying to your blog!
4. What do you think are the essential elements in “good” writing?
Gosh…Like you said, passion. If I get the sense that the writer feels compelled to write then I enjoy reading it. Humour is very important and you’ve got plenty of it!
Thanks Meg. Keep rocking!
October 26th, 2007 at 11:38 am
1. Had some really good guidance from some high school teachers years ago
2. I’ve realized being really good at your job and being happy aren’t always the same thing, so I spent last year learning how to bridge the too
3. I live to work right now, but working on changing that
4. Absolutely
5. Work hard, but remember why it is your working and what you want to achieve in life. Most companies will only push you as far as you let them, so always be strong enough to put your foot down.
October 26th, 2007 at 12:17 pm
Marketing myself is something very difficult for me, too. I’m not sure I have any answers for you, other than you’re NOT the only one who has these questions. Writing is a skill that requires sitting for long stretches of times being by yourself. This skill does not translate into getting out there and selling yourself. I’m beginning to think that English departments in universities should require “Marketing” just like they do “Shakespeare.”
October 26th, 2007 at 12:22 pm
I don’t usually like to talk about my job or my career because I hate my job but don’t like to drag a conversation down to a depressing level. But I feel I should disclose that my point of view on these questions is coming from someone who is more of a case study in what career moves NOT to make, than one who’s followed the right path. But I’ve learned a lot about what I do and don’t want in the last few years, and I’m making changes in the right direction now. That said, here you go:
1. How did you come to choose what you’re doing with your life right now?
I tried to find a job in the same field as my degree. I got woo’ed away from a great company by a Big Huge Multinational Firm with promises of great programs, career development, and a fairly hefty pay increase. Turns out it was all crap except the salary, which is not worth it.
2. Have you ever had to motivate yourself to achieve a different kind of success in your work? How did you do it?
I am currently working on launching a freelance business on the side, doing something that I know will make me happier. My intention is to build it up so that eventually I can quit my day job. I can’t say how I did it yet because it’s not done ;)
3. Do you live to work, or work to live? Why?
Work to live. Even if I loved my job, this would still be my answer. That’s because everyone has many different aspects to their life that need to be fulfilled in order to have a full life. You can’t work work work all the time and be a fulfilled, whole person, even if you love your work. You need to have other well-developed aspects to your life such as spirituality, socializing, hobbies, family, exercise, travel and cultural learning, etc. If you wake up and work until you fall to sleep, you miss out on those other opportunities to develop yourself as a person.
4. Do you believe passion is a major ingredient in the work you do?
Obviously not.
5. What’s the best career advice you ever received?
I’m not entirely certain. Probably to trust my gut, which is a piece of advice I’ve never been given by anyone other than myself. I have listened to a lot of bad advice that centred mainly on following opportunities that would bring money and prestige, and it has made me extremely unhappy. Realizing that I don’t always have to listen to others who have been successful was a big wake-up call.
1. Do you read often? What do you read?
I read blogs daily and magazines weekly or bi-weekly. I try to read books but probably only get around to them once every few months and I have to make them a priority. I am trying to increase my book reading.
2. Do you read for pleasure or just information?
Mainly for pleasure or personal development.
3. What engages you in writing?
Many different things, so this is hard to describe. I prefer a very personal writing style where the author somehow manages to convey more than simply their message but also leaves a bit of their personality on the page, assuming this is appropriate for the medium. Examples of writers I admire are Heather Armstrong (Dooce) and Molly Wizenberg (orangette.blogspot.com). I think Molly is a particularly great example because she’s a food blogger who manages to make you love not only her recipes but also HER. She’s one of the few people who can make me want to read her recipes just because they’re fun to read even if I don’t want to make them.
4. What do you think are the essential elements in “good” writing?
A clear knowledge of the rules of the English language, and knowing how and when to break the rules to reach your audience and make your point. A good balance between simple and elegant language (too many big words = pretentious; too many short words = childish, usually.) Using language itself in a humorous way (I like clever playfulness with words). An ability to take a boring subject and make it interesting by storytelling or using relevant examples (Heather Armstrong is great at this.) Letting your personality shine through your writing.
I know this is kind of vague, but I admire writers who achieve this specifically because there are no hard and fast rules on how to get there.
October 26th, 2007 at 12:31 pm
1. How did you come to choose what you’re doing with your life right now?
I didn’t it just sort of happened, I came to Victoria to get a degree environmental studies but got sucked back into IT.
2. Have you ever had to motivate yourself to achieve a different kind of success in your work? How did you do it?
not really
3. Do you live to work, or work to live? Why?
work to live, because i love living and the only way to live my lifestyle is with money, it sucks
4. Do you believe passion is a major ingredient in the work you do?
there is no passion in what I do
5. What’s the best career advice you ever received?
i don’t have an answer
And…
1. Do you read often? What do you read?
yes, not books, lots and lots of news articles and blogs
2. Do you read for pleasure or just information?
bit of both
3. What engages you in writing?
millions of ideas bursting out of my head, usually marijuana induced ideas
4. What do you think are the essential elements in “good” writing
uhhh
October 26th, 2007 at 12:42 pm
1. It happened sort of by accident, sort of by design. When I left show biz, I got a job as a shipping clerk in a software firm. That led to jobs as file clerk, word processor, and finally, technical writer. I did that for a number of years, then moved into instructional design and web-based training, which is what I do now.
2. Have you ever had to motivate yourself to achieve a different kind of success in your work? How did you do it?
I always have to motivate myself, but I found that work that enables me to learn something new is what I enjoy most.
3. Do you live to work, or work to live? Why? I work to live, mostly, because I have to eat. But working to live also enables me Live, if you get my drift.
4. Do you believe passion is a major ingredient in the work you do?
It’s hard to get passionate about housing finance (unless you have a subprime mortgage), but I do get passionate about producing cool training products.
5. What’s the best career advice you ever received? Don’t stay in a job you hate because of the golden handcuffs. It’s not worth it.
And…
1. Do you read often? What do you read? All the time - everything from newspapers to blogs to literary fiction to chick lit to People magazine.
2. Do you read for pleasure or just information? Both.
3. What engages you in writing? Creative use of the language.
4. What do you think are the essential elements in “good” writing? A good story, well told. Master the craft first, then work on the art.
October 26th, 2007 at 1:27 pm
1. How did you come to choose what you’re doing with your life right now?
- I am an at-home mom and I love it. I always wanted to stay home with my kids. I also try and do art and musical things on the side, but unlike you, I haven’t plunged in full throttle. Not enough time at this point in life to make it a full time endeavor!!
2. Have you ever had to motivate yourself to achieve a different kind of success in your work? How did you do it?
-Well, being at home really needs to be thought of as “a different kind of success”. There’s no way around that one. A lot of it is a brain-challenge to convince myself that although I’m not being paid for what I’m doing, it’s extremely worthwhile. Then I have to convince the current culture of that, but that’s a smaller challenge. :)
3. Do you live to work, or work to live? Why?
- If I’m thinking about art or music, I live to work. If I’m thinking realistically with the work I’ve done over the past few years (admin work), it’s definitely work to live. I think either are okay. The tough thing is when you INSIST on living to work. It’s not always a realistic and attainable dream.
4. Do you believe passion is a major ingredient in the work you do?
- Being a mom? DEFINITELY. Art and music? DEFINITELY. Admin? Um, no.
5. What’s the best career advice you ever received?
- “I really think you can do it, Laura.” (I tend to shoot myself down before I even try…)
And…
1. Do you read often? What do you read?
- Not too often. I read books sometimes. Very few novels because I get so engrossed that I loose touch with reality. I can’t handle living two lives at once. I like to read challenging philosophical/theological books. But those can get tiring too. And then sometimes I read blogs.
2. Do you read for pleasure or just information?
- Pleasure. Sometimes for the brain-exercise.
3. What engages you in writing?
- Hmm. It’s hard to describe. Some things you start reading GET YOU instantly. In blog land, if I start reading a post that just sounds like someone’s drab description of their day, I’m totally bored. I like humour, and I really like it when people aren’t totally focussed on themselves. Actually, if they take a humourous stance toward themselves, that is amusing.
4. What do you think are the essential elements in “good” writing?
- Ack! What a question!! I have no idea.
October 26th, 2007 at 1:36 pm
Meg, I love your blog…it’s always funny, but some days, like today - it forces me to think about this ‘journey called life’ that we’re on. Thank you for that!
1. How did you come to choose what you’re doing with your life right now?
* I’m an event planner - I organized my wedding a few years ago, and unlike so many other brides out there, had a fantastic time pulling it together. To me, event planning is like assembling a massive puzzle - I like seeing how it will all turn out.
2. Have you ever had to motivate yourself to achieve a different kind of success in your work? How did you do it?
* Yes, yes & yes….I reached a point where I realized I was completely bored in my work, and it was no way to live. I started voicing my situation to friends, family, etc. so that they could keep challenging me to move forward. It worked.
3. Do you live to work, or work to live? Why?
* A bit of both??? I love my work, so it’s a pleasure to go to the office everyday. But, I love my downtime too…I’m a firm believer in balance - I would never sacrifice my personal life for a job. In fact, I recently left a job for that very reason.
4. Do you believe passion is a major ingredient in the work you do? ABSOLUTELY!!!!
5. What’s the best career advice you ever received?
* To take risks and not be afraid of the outcome….so far this year, I left a ’safe’ job for a risky job…which was an unmitigated disaster, and I resigned after 6 months…then, I found my current fabulous job…I don’t regret a second of any of it. I learned so much.
And…
1. Do you read often? What do you read?
* Yes, ma’am…fun books, serious books, the Vancouver Sun, blogs, celebrity gossip mags (yes, I admit it).
2. Do you read for pleasure or just information?
* Definitely for pleasure…nothing like a glass of wine & a great read.
3. What engages you in writing?
* I write for work, but in my personal life, I write to share ideas, work through problems, tell stories of humourous life-incidents…I blogged religiously until 3 months ago, and then it just died…and I’m embarrassed to start it up again. I feel like I’ve failed my blog. Sigh.
4. What do you think are the essential elements in “good” writing?
* Honesty, humility, humour, passion, visualization…and lots of other things, but my brain has stalled.
Thanks, Meg - you are such a star & you brighten my day!
October 26th, 2007 at 1:54 pm
1. I’m retired from the U.S. Postal Service. My parents came through the depression of the 30’s and instilled in me (brainwashed)the desire for a secure job with benefits. So the Postal Service was a natural choice.
2. The relationship betweeen management and labor was so toxic that I had to change my way of thinking to survive. I came through the fire and I think I became a better person for it.
3.I have always worked to live. I think it’s a rare person who lives to work because he’s found a job that satisfies his need to create and accomplish something.
4. The work I do now (non-paid)is writing and painting and I’ve always had the passion for both.
5. Never make a decision when you’re discouraged.
and…
1. I am a voracious reader. I alternate between fiction and non-fiction, blogs, on-line news, and the backs of cereal boxes.
2. Even reading for information is pleasurable.
3. If a person can put words together that create an image in my brain, they have me hooked.
4. An economical use of words to express ideas, “paint pictures”, evoke emotions.
October 26th, 2007 at 2:04 pm
1. How did you come to choose what you’re doing with your life right now? I started looking into speech therapy because my sophomore year in college I was told that I’d never get a job as a history teacher if I didn’t coach, which I would NEVER do. There were plenty of jobs for speech therapists. And now I’m a middle-school therapist… and tennis coach.
2. Have you ever had to motivate yourself to achieve a different kind of success in your work? How did you do it? I’m lazy by nature so I have to continually motivate myself by looking at my students and trying to see how I can best prepare them for the world beyond school.
3. Do you live to work, or work to live? Why? I work to live. I like my job but I LOVE my life outside of it.
4. Do you believe passion is a major ingredient in the work you do? I think anyone who doesn’t have a passion for helping kids fulfill their greatest potential should get OUT of education.
5. What’s the best career advice you ever received? I guess people encouraging me to not put off grad school because yes, it was two years of my life, but those two years flew by and enabled me to have the career I wanted for the rest of my life.
And…
1. Do you read often? What do you read? I read mainly fiction, but I also love magazines and of course BLOGS.
2. Do you read for pleasure or just information? I always read for pleasure. Even Newsweek is pleasure reading for me.
3. What engages you in writing? It doesn’t happen very often, but I love it when I feel like I have stated something perfectly. When I have found the perfect sentence. Or fragment.
4. What do you think are the essential elements in “good” writing? This sounds so cliche but I think good writing takes you away from yourself and allows you into someone else’s world.
October 26th, 2007 at 3:07 pm
1. How did you come to choose what you’re doing with your life right now?
I have played the cello since I was 5 years old. Classical music isn’t something you can easily take a break from and come back to if you are pursuing it professionally. Basically, I decided if I didn’t go for it in college and grad school I’d always look back later in life and regret not trying.
2. Have you ever had to motivate yourself to achieve a different kind of success in your work? How did you do it?
Some people in my line of work view success as only getting paid to play for a living. I realized I can enjoy both playing and teaching (private lessons, NOT public school) and get tremendous satisfaction from both. It took me a while to be okay with liking both, though, since my ‘player only’ colleagues gave me a hard time for a while.
3. Do you live to work, or work to live? Why?
Live to work. I don’t know any classical musicians who are in the field to make money, though I’m really glad to finally be no longer living on a grad student budget at the age of 31!
4. Do you believe passion is a major ingredient in the work you do?
Absolutely.
5. What’s the best career advice you ever received?
To approach what I do with maximum integrity and a good attitude, but not to be disappointed if those I work with do not show the same integrity.
1. Do you read often? What do you read?
Yes- online I read blogs, offline I read a lot of novels.
2. Do you read for pleasure or just information?
Pleasure. My mom is an English teacher, it’s a totally ingrained habit.
3. What engages you in writing?
Writers who can get their point across without a gimmick or template to tell a story like always using funny capitalization, punctuation or the same paragraph structure to make a point or make jokes (something I notice in certain kinds of novels and on blogs often, not this one though!). It’s nice when writers captivate my interest without these things. I’m not sure if this makes sense so I’ll stop. :)
4. What do you think are the essential elements in “good” writing?
I like concise sentence structure. And not to sound to English teacher-y, but lack of passive voice is also good.
Thanks for asking such interesting questions today! It’s fun to read all the responses.
October 26th, 2007 at 3:09 pm
1. In a round-about sort of way. I came to my company 3 years ago, after needing a different change of pace. I had been working for a brokerage firm, and that lifestyle was kicking my ass. I was miserable, stressed out beyond belief, and desperate for change. I’ve had 2 other jobs here, and I came into my present position last December. I applied for the job, despite not really knowing the field, nor what I would be doing, but I had the confidence that I could rise to the challenge. I was also desperate to get out of my previous position, which was awful, mind-numbingly boring, and so unchallenging I was going insane. I’ve managed to prove myself so far, I think, and I love what I do. It’s such a blessing to be able to do something I enjoy, and to not dread coming into work each day. My co-workers are awesome, and we have so much fun together.
2. I’ve always been supremely motivated to succeed and advance. Last year when I was drowning in misery in my other position, I was so motivated to get out of there. I kept up a constant dialogue with our HR people, asking for opportunities to get ahead, and to do something different. I’ve never had difficulties in asking for a promotion, or if I know I’d be good at something, in putting myself forward for that opportunity. I am a quiet and shy person by nature, but when it comes to my job, I have no difficulty in selling myself. I’m always looking for ways to learn more and be challenged, because I love that. Thankfully there have been many opportunities that I’ve been able to take advantage of.
3. That’s a really good question. I think right now I’m working to live. I love my job, but it’s not where my true passions lie. I’m still figuring that one out. But once I do nail that down, I think it will be time for me to move on.
4. Yes. You have to be passionate and creative to work in my department. Plus, if you don’t have a passion for non-profit ministry (and aren’t able to live with the low salary), my company probably isn’t a good place for you to be.
5. As lame and as cheesy as it may sound, my parents have always told me that I can do anything in the world that I want. They’ve encouraged me to go for the things that I want, and to always do the best I can at everything. Their belief in me and their constant encouragement has been so instrumental in my career so far.
And…
1. Yes! I read all the time. I have always loved reading, and was such a bookworm when I was a kid. When I was over at friends’ houses, and I saw a book that looked interesting to me, I would pick it up and read it right then, and ignore my friend. Hee. What a nerd! I think I’ve read pretty much every book in my parent’s house, and there are a LOT of them there! I’ve read everything from the encyclopedia to World Books, to my dad’s theological textbooks. I enjoy historical fiction, chick lit, adventure, pretty much anything. Right now I’m reading 4 books – one is a Beatles biography, another is a history of the Russian Revolution, one is a U2 concert history, and the last is Emma, by Jane Austen. Quite an interesting variety, I think. I also read fashion (InStyle) and music (Q) magazines, and several blogs.
2. Both. I love learning new things, and I also enjoy reading fun, meaningless stuff.
3. Things I’m passionate about. If I have something I need to get off of my chest, or can’t say out loud.
4. It will capture my attention if it’s witty, smart, passionate, heartfelt, and on a topic that I’m interested in.
October 26th, 2007 at 5:09 pm
1. How did you come to choose what you’re doing with your life right now?
I got my degree in it. The job came across my desk, and I wanted it. I got it, and shockingly enough, I took it.
2. Have you ever had to motivate yourself to achieve a different kind of success in your work? How did you do it?
Lots of times. I am reasonably good at my job, but I don’t like to do it all the time. The success isn’t the good shows, but what I learn about them and myself and what I want next. But I’m early in my career. Most of my motivation comes from the possibilities.
3. Do you live to work, or work to live? Why?
Work to live. I think it might be good to love your job enough that they’re both great, but ultimately I want my life to be much more than work.
4. Do you believe passion is a major ingredient in the work you do?
I think it should be. It was when I started, then it wasn’t, then it was again, and now it isn’t again. I have hope…
5. What’s the best career advice you ever received?
You don’t have to take a job because it’s been offered to you. You don’t have to do the OT because they want you to.
And…
1. Do you read often? What do you read?
Not as much as I want. Whatever someone hands me, and a lot of blogs.
2. Do you read for pleasure or just information?
Mostly pleasure. I read for info related to my masters classes.
3. What engages you in writing?
Trying to get across something.
4. What do you think are the essential elements in “good” writing?
I don’t think I write well or ‘good’ so don’t ask me. I want to write so I make people laugh and think… no luck yet.
October 26th, 2007 at 5:30 pm
I saw all of the lists this week and almost passed by in my lurk-ful-ness, but chose to continue.
1. I’m working towards becoming a nurse, specifically a midwife (whenever a school will actually educate me… but that’s another blog!). I realized that was what I wanted to do after watching so many baby stories and being so fascinated by the female reproductive system since the first time Mom told me about fallopian tubes when I was 9 or 10. My fulfillment right now (until I am a midwife) is taking care of children and watching them develop into their own little persons.
2. I still have faith that eventually I will be able to do what I imagine my great plan has in store for me. But when I start questioning, it becomes a slippery slope. I guess my strength comes from the thought that if I suffer now through all the BS, I can look back and laugh… or better yet, encourage someone to keep going.
3. Dude- I live to travel. But I like that I enjoy what I do to fund my travel addiction. It gets me through the week.
4. Absolutely! Do what you love and you will always love what you do. If you are unhappy, Change. Period. It may suck for a while, but it will suck much more if you stay in a bad situation longer than you should.
5. Never stop learning. Always have a mentor to look up to (and change when you outgrow them).
1. I read every night; mostly fiction but I’m into history and classic lit right now as I am trying to learn all the things I missed in school. :)
2. Mostly pleasure. If I am reading something that is not as interesting as I would like, I will often put it down for a night or two so that my brain can enjoy something else.
3. Vivid imagery makes me want to read you. And bullets. God, I love bullets. For my own writing, I write about feelings, rather than events or information. The irony is that I have always excelled at spitting out essays and crap like that for school, but I tend to be more guarded and flippant with my writing when expressing my feelings (ie. my blog).
4. Again, vivid imagery draws me to writing, blogs in particular. I am the worst rambler, but I tend to jump through long paragraphs if someone else is rambling. Passion in writing is easily recognized and always sucks me in.
October 26th, 2007 at 8:34 pm
1) i’m not entirely sure i chose it or if it just happened to be there. i stumbled upon a pamphlet in my high school’s very pathetic ‘career file’. i liked biology and it’s a career involved in the medical world, but without the bedpans and needles etc. I went off to university, when i was done nothing else had really turned my head so back to school i went for training and voila!
2) yes, i have had to motivate myself , there is another step up i can take in my career. i haven’t taken it yet as i need to take a refresher course and have been putting it off for over a year now so perhaps i’m not one to ask…..
3)well, i guess it’s work to live - too much careless fun in the past, having to pay for it, literally sometimes, now. hopefully this will change soon.
but i do throw in some fun stuff just for me as well to balance it out.
4) most careers may start out that way but, for example, healthcare can really wear employees down. i think that is why alot of people may remain in the career but switch actual jobs at some point, just to try and get it back. in this particular job i am in right now, no, not alot of passion.
5) not entirely sure. how about don’t take it home with you….
1) READ i love to read, always have. practically anything when i was younger and all the time - kids/teen series, magazines. in high school i tried to start from one end of the library and work my way over to the other end. university was mostly texts and ridiculous self-help so more lately i have gone with lighter reads, just whatever catches my interest which runs anywhere from ” the brain that changes itself” to kevin smith’s “my boring ass life” - i’m all over the place. special interest in biographies/blogs because everyone has an interesting life, tonnes of magazines, newspapers and of course, the net. my chapter’s wish list is incredibly long.
2) pleasure now, “information” just brings to mind textbooks or instructions for me. some informational reads are a pleasure as well though….
3) me doing the writing? -i do most of my writing to clear my head and sort things out. other people’s writing? - right now I am all about humour, or something relatable that appeals to me.
4) good writing… very subjective i think…..
October 27th, 2007 at 2:22 am
That’s too many questions at once for this early on a Saturday.
1. How did you come to choose what you’re doing with your life right now? Fell into it by luck and inclination
2. Have you ever had to motivate yourself to achieve a different kind of success in your work? How did you do it? no, I’ve stuck with the kind of success I know how to achieve :)
3. Do you live to work, or work to live? Why? I love to work and live to live. Or something like that.
4. Do you believe passion is a major ingredient in the work you do? Yes, absolutely.
5. What’s the best career advice you ever received? Do what you love, the money will follow.
1. Do you read often? What do you read? All the freaking time. Fiction, non-fiction, science fiction, alternative history, biographies, autobiographies, historical fiction, poetry, you name it.
2. Do you read for pleasure or just information? Pleasure
3. What engages you in writing? Humor, language, unpredictability, being grabbed and sucked in to another world or another way of thinking
4. What do you think are the essential elements in “good” writing? see above. :)
October 27th, 2007 at 5:07 am
1. How did you come to choose what you’re doing with your life right now? I chose it because I was always interested in architecture. I’m an interior designer. What made me believe that I wanted to do it for a living was that I grew up in low income housing and it was awful, I thought that everyone was entitled to good design and a healthy environments to live and work in. I wanted to be a part of that solution.
2. Have you ever had to motivate yourself to achieve a different kind of success in your work? How did you do it? Yes I have because it is hard to find the work that I am looking for because we have to get paid. So I’ve been working on adding accreditations to my name so that I can work on “green” buildings that are LEED certified. I’ve also been looking at volunteer opportunities to help rebuild communities after disaster like in New Orleans. Also my job is not what it is made out to be on HGTV, it is impossible to build something in a weekend and it is not all fabrics and colours. I spend 90% of my time drawing construction documents on the computer.
3. Do you live to work, or work to live? Why? I work to live but I do enjoy my work when I’m there. I just think we were put on this planet for other purposes and when I’m old and grey I don’t want to look back and regret how much time I spent at my desk and not enjoying the experiences of life.
4. Do you believe passion is a major ingredient in the work you do? Yes very much. It is not a job where you just go in to pick up a pay cheque. I think that if you are not passionate it shows in the design.
5. What’s the best career advice you ever received? I really can’t think of anything.
1. Do you read often? What do you read? I read every day on my train commute. All kinds of fiction, one of my favourites is Margaret Atwood. I also love to read blogs, I just find that reading others point of view on the everyday things in life very interesting.
2. Do you read for pleasure or just information? Mostly pleasure but I love to learn things too.
3. What engages you in writing? Often the story and subject matter. If the subject interests me or reflects in any of my life experiences.
4. What do you think are the essential elements in “good” writing? Imagery, narrative, the ability to draw me in at the first paragraph and build up the story with well developed characters.
October 27th, 2007 at 6:50 am
PS I want to be a photographer (and *I AM* a technical writer by trade). I’m struggling with you in spirit. Thanks for this post.
October 27th, 2007 at 4:06 pm
1. How did you come to choose what you’re doing with your life right now?
Part luck, part judgement. I thought I’d end up doing something quite different, but I did the best with what I got and it’s turned out pretty well.
2. Have you ever had to motivate yourself to achieve a different kind of success in your work? How did you do it?
Motivation? I’m not sure. You do what you have to because you have to, and you do what you want to because you want to. The have to part is just getting on with it, mainly.
3. Do you live to work, or work to live? Why?
Work to live. I’ve needed to support my study by doing a job I dislike. But now I’m done!
4. Do you believe passion is a major ingredient in the work you do?
When I get to do what I’m trained to do, yes it will be.
5. What’s the best career advice you ever received?
Take that first step. It’s better than never trying.
And…
1. Do you read often? What do you read?
All the time. I read science fiction, fantasy, and philosophy/sociology.
2. Do you read for pleasure or just information?
Both! If I’m not enjoying something, I don’t force myself to keep reading. What’s the point? There’s so much stuff to read and so little time.
3. What engages you in writing?
I have not a clue. I wish I knew, then I’d be able to pick stuff to read more easily.
4. What do you think are the essential elements in “good” writing?
Don’t be boring. I can’t stand being bored. I wish I could define boring but again, I can’t. Sorry.
October 27th, 2007 at 6:52 pm
Megeroo–
You don’t have to get paid to be a writer. It’s good to have readers.
Passion–eh. Not in writing, per se. Passion for life you need. Writing should alway scare the ba-jones out of you. It should terrify you utterly. That’s a good thing. I don’t know if I’d call it passion. It’s the good fight. It’s a living.
Spellin, optional.
Keep in mind what Keats said to Shelley: I am pickt up and sorted to a pip. My imagination is a monastery and I am its monk.
RM