New user

Wow, that's a weird thread to read, 10 years down the road. (And kind of sad.)

Dynamics here are sure different now.

 

Do not moonlight by selling steak knives. That gig has been taken.

 

If you love it, keep doing it and don't be afraid to show/tell editors, etc. that you love what you are doing. Even in a "new" economy, there is no substitute for passion, those who hire others will recognize that. Of course, relationships help immensely, you can be the greatest writer but if you don't have any relationships, you're toast. Good luck.

 

Instant Rod Allen Second Deck

 

Tennessee, eh?

 

And when you take that first vacation, no place is more convenient than Lake Tahoe.

 

Always start a question with the words "Talk about..."

 

Never gets old.

 

Be strong at a wide range of skills and talents. If you can write, good. If you can write well and also have a compelling and convincing voice for, say, podcasting... even better.

Be curious about what you're interested in -- no matter how bizarre. To make some money in journalism, you have to know where you live first... but, once you have a couple of years and, say, want to follow a certain segment of writing about current events, start to pivot in that direction.

 

You don't sell 'em, you get them for being a sales shnook. Knives or the El Dorado ... which one do you want?

 

LOL!

 

This, right here, was this message board at its shiniest best. Reading those 15 pages again damn near gave me goose bumps.