invision
Armadillo Pup
Random Axe of Kindness
Posts: 47
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Post by invision on Jun 4, 2011 10:52:55 GMT -5
Despite this website being "Fuck Yeah English Major Armadillo", I somehow plan to not go to college. I want to work minimum wage jobs and write on the side.
Why?
Because a creative writing degree is useless for me. I already know how to analyze literature, and it's not that hard to read novels, read up on symbolism, blah blah blah.
Essentially, I don't have anything to learn that I can't teach myself.
And I want to be a famous author.
People keep telling me that this is the most unrealistic thing ever (working to become a professional fiction writer), if only because a major thing in the publishing industry is luck (on a lot of levels).
You need the 'luck'-ish to find an agent. You need the 'luck' to find a good agent. Then, you need the genuine luck of getting a contract with a major publisher. And then, you need people to read your book, like it, and spread it by word of mouth.
But, you know what? Fuck you, reality. I refuse to bend into your demands.
Note: My life goals include walking across the United States, getting lost in at least one major city in every state, learning to shoot a gun, getting a license to conceal and carry, getting a fourth degree black belt in karate and judo, walking into a large city with nothing but the clothing on my back and a knife and being homeless for three months, starting up one or more projects to inspire others in differing ways, staring up a charitable organization if I ever have the money, going on mission trips to foreign countries, learning to play the piano, and... Well. Yeah.
I also have a list of clothing I can and can't wear in case of an inopportune alien invasion, as well as a prospective car kit for the same thing for whenever I get a car.
At this point, you can probably tell that I live on the philosophy of telling reality to fuck itself. xD.
James
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Post by Marina on Jun 4, 2011 11:24:59 GMT -5
You have a very idealistic outlook on life, my friend. May I ask how old you are?
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invision
Armadillo Pup
Random Axe of Kindness
Posts: 47
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Post by invision on Jun 4, 2011 11:38:39 GMT -5
You have a very idealistic outlook on life, my friend. May I ask how old you are? Seventeen. People keep telling me to stop being so unrealistic, because oh god I'm a teenager I'm obviously just clueless about how the world works. It's kind of funny that most people don't realize that I'll always be like this because my personality is fucking awesome like that. xD. James |
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Post by tastyink on Jun 4, 2011 11:40:31 GMT -5
I really hope you get to check off everything on your list before aliens invade!
As for me, I want to be a librarian. I would love to instill the love of reading in kids and help the kids who are struggling with reading. Basically, I want to make a difference in someone's life. That's really the most important thing to me.
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Post by Marina on Jun 4, 2011 12:22:40 GMT -5
You have a very idealistic outlook on life, my friend. May I ask how old you are? Seventeen. People keep telling me to stop being so unrealistic, because oh god I'm a teenager I'm obviously just clueless about how the world works. It's kind of funny that most people don't realize that I'll always be like this because my personality is fucking awesome like that. xD. James I wish I could be more like you, because I honestly don't care how much money I make as long as I'm happy. But my Mom always gives me this look that makes me slightly ashamed, as if being happy with what you do is a bad thing. I mean, I transfered to the college I actually wanted to go to, but I'm still gonna be so far in debt from loans it's scary. But my parents are like, we're not paying, sorry. |
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Post by Dodger Thirteen on Jun 4, 2011 18:58:01 GMT -5
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Post by tastyink on Jun 4, 2011 19:08:54 GMT -5
Nice! I think the only kind of librarian I'll amount to will be just the kind sitting in a desk at the public library, haha. |
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Post by Dodger Thirteen on Jun 4, 2011 19:54:09 GMT -5
Nice! I think the only kind of librarian I'll amount to will be just the kind sitting in a desk at the public library, haha.  I honestly don't think I'd be satisfied with a normal 9-5 job, though they tend to pay decently. If I could get a position that allows me to work with mythology and study it, I'd be happy. So that means I'll probably have to end up teaching freshman English or become a professor. Dammit, I didn't want to go into teaching.... |
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Post by tastyink on Jun 4, 2011 20:12:28 GMT -5
Nice! I think the only kind of librarian I'll amount to will be just the kind sitting in a desk at the public library, haha. I honestly don't think I'd be satisfied with a normal 9-5 job, though they tend to pay decently. If I could get a position that allows me to work with mythology and study it, I'd be happy. So that means I'll probably have to end up teaching freshman English or become a professor. Dammit, I didn't want to go into teaching.... Yeah, the whole "get a real job" thing always gets in the way of what I really want to do... |
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Post by onlyaworkingtitle on Jun 5, 2011 3:06:48 GMT -5
I want to work minimum wage jobs and write on the side. The problem with this plan: minimum wage jobs are exhausting -- far more so than the average white-collar cubicle gig. When you get home from it, you'll more likely just want to crash on the couch rather than sit in front of your computer to work another job (which, if you plan to do it professionally, writing is). And do you plan to have a social life along with this? Friends, relationships? Those will take time, too -- and even more energy -- and without them, where will you get inspiration for your writing, for unique characters, for uncommon plot twists? I'm not saying you shouldn't do what you love; just that you shouldn't limit yourself to one dream when there are so many more possibilities out there to people who dedicate four years to a college education. |
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Post by serpentheart on Jun 5, 2011 7:21:26 GMT -5
I'm a double major of English and European History but I'm still not sure. I like the idea of being a librarian and my mum was one. I'm still considering another Bachelor degree in 3D Animation and make films/tv. Or a Masters in Medieval History. Publishing, archives, lecturing, high school teaching... I really don't know! My mum was like this too. She's been a nurse, soldier, librarian, business analyst, etc. Just going to go with the flow.  |
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Post by flute88 on Jun 5, 2011 21:21:32 GMT -5
I want to be a stay at home mom. Tried the college deal, didn't work out. I probably would've been a stay at home mom ANYWAY though; it's just how I am. I'll probably write on the side too, but I don't particularly have any grand illusions that not having a "real" job will make that easier - my mom was/is a stay at home mom and it took her ten years to write and publish her first book, so. I just really like the idea of being able to be home with my kids and watch them grow up. I guess I'm a bit old-fashioned like that.
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Post by onlyaworkingtitle on Jun 5, 2011 23:05:20 GMT -5
PROFESSIONAL HOUSECAT.
No really. I'd be so good at this.
Lie around the house, eat your food, and sit just out of reach so you have to move to pet me (aka play with my hair, because I'm not talking the kinky sort of housecat, you pervs).
So if you know anyone who's hiring? I'm an English longhair, raised in Brooklyn, very friendly with other pets and decent with kids, willing to work for room, board, and minimum wage.
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Post by KatjevanLoon on Jun 6, 2011 0:43:55 GMT -5
PROFESSIONAL HOUSECAT. No really. I'd be so good at this. Lie around the house, eat your food, and sit just out of reach so you have to move to pet me (aka play with my hair, because I'm not talking the kinky sort of housecat, you pervs). So if you know anyone who's hiring? I'm an English longhair, raised in Brooklyn, very friendly with other pets and decent with kids, willing to work for room, board, and minimum wage. Sorry, my boyfriend has already hired me for that position.  If I hear of anyone else looking for a vanilla housecat I'll let you know. |
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Post by Eternal Lobster on Jun 6, 2011 11:51:43 GMT -5
And I want to be a famous author. There is a difference between being a famous author and a good author. I am not saying that you can't do it or that there aren't famous and talented authors out there who didn't go to college. But that doesn't mean that you shouldn't at least try some higher education. I agree with you and think that a creative writing degree is a Bad Idea, but there are other degrees out there for you. I have read countless blogs by authors advising their readers not to get a BA/MFA in creative writing. They still, however, advise them to get a degree or some sort of education. I believe that it helps develop you as a person and also your writing. Experiencing life like how you describe will, too, but you will be missing out on some very important knowledge. |
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