Still Alive, Still Writing

So with Posterous gone, I’ve moved my personal blog here. I had to import each entry manually, which is tedious enough that a few of the posts didn’t make it over—basically everything from last year, and I think maybe also one thing from 2010. All of the personal essays are up, though.

I’m still writing; doing it for a living now. Well, trying. My income isn’t consistent enough to live off at the moment, but I’m getting closer. Actually, I’m branching out.

I had been writing only about games and apps, and the people who make them. But that was never my intention as a writer. I want to write about anything and everything that interests me, so I’m spreading my wings and expanding my horizons. I’m working on getting freelance gigs covering technology, history, science, culture, sport, film, travel, general lifestyle topics, and, of course, games.

I hope to focus on long-form journalism, with a smattering of shorter stuff and non-journalism gigs on the side. And I’d love to do some editing or subediting—technically, I already do, between Archive.vg and helping friends or people on the internet, but I mean for money.

For the past two months I have spent every spare second researching the market, trying to figure out what’s in demand that I can provide and where I can pitch long-form ideas for good pay. There’s still loads more research to do, but right now I'm easing my foot off the pedal to read the publications that weren’t on my list before until I feel confident I know their style and tone well enough to nail my first pitch.

Then I'll redouble my research efforts (probably at a slower rate because the work I get from that will make me busier), then focus on just reading to really master the tone and perspective, then rinse and repeat—over and again until I know every writing market that I feel I could succeed in.

Wish me luck.

I have a couple of cool features coming up—one gaming-related and one not. The gaming one is a biggie (5,000 words), covering a topic that should have broad appeal. The non-gaming one is shorter, but I’m excited about it because it’s something totally new to me—new outlet and new subject matter. I’ll post about both here and everywhere else when they’re published.

As for other stuff, I’m not dancing as often as I’d like; looking to rectify that sooner rather than later. I haven’t finished any routines—although I’ve started several—since the deeply-personal 2010 production effort (described in this essay). Trying to make more time for sketching and music, too. I was way too focused on one thing last year, and started to forget who I am as a result.

I’m a writer, a dancer, a musician, an artist, and a person interested in the world around him. Most of all, I’m me. And I will resume intermittent blogging of personal essays and things that don’t fit anywhere, starting now. This is still my fall back plan; I make it up as I go.