Youtopia

I was lying on my couch having a conversation with a friend last night. Not sure where the conversation began but I went off on various tangents about the workings of society. You see, yesterday I went to talk with a human at an establishment which deals in creative work (of the freelance, contract and permanent type). It seems that waiting 28 years to work out what you want to do in life doesn't cut it. Further, it seems real world experience doesn't cut it. They want degrees. They want references. They want paid experience.

I want to write for a living. I've been writing song lyrics for about 15 years. I wrote all types of essays, projects and reports during my four years of university study. I've written original material in a number of jobs I've held over the last ten or so years. I've worked as a copywriter. I've worked as a proofreader and editor. Still, it seems I have very little experience.

I was asked a question during this interview of sorts. Something along the lines of "Which areas of writing do you excel at?" I couldn't think of a proper response at the time, of course. Damn it, I never said I could think and talk. I said I can write! I mumbled something about being a grammatical perfectionist and being able to write varying types of copy for various audiences. I didn't, however, mention that I'm better at rhyming than anyone they probably have listed in their little black book(s). I could write you fifteen catchy rhyming jingles per day! I could have alluded to the fact that I'm all about alliteration. Repetition. Depitation. Metaphors. Similes.

Anyway. Why does it have to be a competition to do what you love to do? Maybe a kid grows up and decides he wants to be a tradie. Cool, here's your hammer, move along. Another kid wants to be a clown. Excellent, the line for clowns is out back. Make sure to grab your red nose and colourful curly wig on the way out. I want to write for a living (see, repetition!). Give me a pen and a pad and sit me under a tree. Pay me minimum wage until I prove myself. Just give me a chance. Passion will always provide a more prolific employee.

They say I'm a dreamer. I'm aware of that. Just thought it was a lovely idea.

Pretty Pictures

I've been reading blogs since before they were called blogs. I'm also aware that writing for the web is different than writing for any other medium. You need to grab people's attention as quick as possible. That goes for pictures and videos too. Apparently they need to be all over blogs, and I do see the appeal, but I'm more interested in producing slabs of text for everyone to read. I was thinking about this today and figured I might as well figure it out by writing it out.

Take this post for example. What type of imagery would suit? Would it make anyone want to read the words? Does any of that even matter? I could post links to other sites if that helps spice things up. You know, I could link you to a video on YouTube or a song on MySpace. Maybe my Twitter or Facebook profile? What about other slabs of text? I'd be happier linking one person to an interesting author or a well-written poem than I would linking 500 to the latest Lady Gaga video. Not that I have anything against Gaga. Well not as yet anyway... I'm still gathering evidence.

Here's an artist's impression of part of a sacred peyote ceremony. Just because.