My Writing So Far

So I've been a freelance writer now for 4 months. It hasn't been easy, and the pay has...well, it sucks, but I'm really starting to think I'm making some headway. I say that because I recently accumulated enough jobs to create a writing resume. I guess I could've made a resume before, but it would've had a lot of white text.

Here's my accomplishments in the last 4 months, and how I able to landed them.


6rounds: This was a huge moment opportunity for me. It was my first professional writing job. It was the first time I got paid for writing. For anyone in any arts, your first paying gig is the most important one there is, no matter what the pay or the exposure.

DebbieHartzman.com: I landed this job shortly after 6rounds. Once you get the experience, the other jobs start coming. Thankfully, this allowed me to start supporting myself financially without flipping burgers. I had to learn more about web design and financial planning than I imagined, but it was well worth it.


Thiszine.com: An up and coming literary magazine that recently accepted one of my creative short stories. No pay, unfortunately, but it's nice for someone to go "This is good enough to attach our name too."

So...that was the first four months. I hoping the next eight will bring even more opportunities.

Some fun images!

The Death of Grammar

I'm a big fan of biographies. I love history and I find the best way to learn about it is through personal figures. The horrors of war can be glossed over unless you're able to anchor yourself in a real person. The impacts of technology can be lost unless you see how it truly impacted the average person. Also, I'm a geek for famous historical figures. The men who exemplified good, evil, and everything in between.

The one thing I find fascinating about these biographies is how people used to write. The books are filled with flowery prose and perfect grammar. And these aren't all formal letters or letters between lovers. Most of them are not scribbled to friends. When was the last time you sent or received a letter that can be quoted hundreds of years from now. The emails I get often look like:

'Sup,

Hahaha, you were blackout!So, bar, tonight?

Kk

When did we lose that love and respect for the language? Grammar has fallen to the waist side with the younger generation. It's seen as less as a tool and more of an encumbrance. You can get your point across eventually, so why bother memorizing and following all those stupid rules? It amazes me how many people don't know the difference between there, their, and they're, or its and it's, or comma splices. I mean, I like comma splices! I believe they should be grammatically okay (and I will debate you to my death if you disagree) but I know not to use them. Ask most people and they have no idea what they are.

Ah...that's my rant. I'm a lover of language, so maybe it's just my button. I'm sure artists feel the same way about digital printers or something.

Until next time, watch your split infinitives.

Your friend,

McGonz

Careers

I'm a big believer in constant growth. We teach our children that this world is a mysterious, exciting place, with more to learn and more to experience that you can dream of. Yet, somewhere along the way, even though we're still teaching the lesson, we no longer believe it. I think it has something to do with finding the almighty career. When you have a job, a shitty, soul crushing, if I do this one more day I'm going to take a bath with the toaster, job, you're future is still so brilliant. You're present is terrible, but it's only temporary. You have plans, you have schemes, you have hopes, you have goals. You may not even be one of those people who know in their guts who they are and what they should be doing, but that doesn't matter, because you can do anything. You can quit that shit job in the middle of your shift, leave the country, find something wonderful and new. You may never do it, but you can. And then you get the career. For most people it won't be a doctor, or lawyer, or police officer. It will be a career you never wanted to do as a child, that no child would ever want. It's in an office, dealing with the minute details of a company that really no one gives a flying fuck about. But it has great pay, good benefits, vacation time, and it seems...fine. It gives you all the things you need and all it wants back is half of your soul. Not even the good half. Not the half you use to feel love and compassion and wonder. Just the half with the passion. How often do you need it in real life anyways? Is it more important than a house, a new car, a vacation every year?

I'm a writer. It is in my marrow. But I am extremely human. If I find the career that isn't writing but will take care of me, I would take it. And I would lie to myself, saying I can still write, that it will still happen. But it won't.

So here's too shitty jobs at shitty restaurants until I find that career that won't take my soul.

Your friend,

Kris McGonegal

How's TWoP Going, McGonz?

Why, thanks for asking, reader! I have begun my TWoP sample. It's going to be a recap of Nip/Tuck's pilot episode. I thought that it was a good choice for a few reasons:

A) TWoP doesn't currently cover Nip/Tuck, so I wouldn't be stepping on any toes.

B) The show is cheesy as hell, so it's perfect to rip on.

C) I've watched most of the series, so I know the characters and general theme pretty well (hint, everyone's as an asshole, there is no theme.)

I know the likely hood of me getting a job from this is slim. Maybe impossible. But you don't know. Maybe they'll be blown away. Maybe they'll keep me on file and offer me something down the line. It's a dream that I can pursue, so I might as well.

I've been reading a biography on Einstein, and found that he didn't get a job for years after he finished college. I got a job within a couple of months. Now, I'm not comparing myself to Einstein, but if I was, at this stage of our lives, I'd be winning. I just need to change the world in the next couple of years to keep that up.

Your friend,

McGonz

Today is the Day I Officially Became a Freelance Writer

Well...doesn't the title explain it all? I've been published. I wrote something and am going to get paid for it. Yay! Yay, yay, yay! If you want to check it out (and I know you do) here is the link.

So...what's next for a fledgling writer like me? Do I rest on my laurels? Well, no, because I'm still poor as hell and one freelance writing job isn't going to pay for much. Now that I have some experience under my belt, it's time to get a little ambitious. TWoP ambitious. I'm not sure how they do there hiring, and I'm sure it's not from people just randomly sending emails and samples, but I'm going to do it! I've been a fan of TWoP for years, and a constant poster. There are quite a few writers over there I admire (if you haven't read something by Jacob, Sara M, or Demian, you haven't live) and to join those ranks would be amazing. So, starting today I'm going to work on the funniest, groin grabbingly amazing sample I can do. Wish me luck.

And 6round.com , you are awesome.

Your Friend,

McGonz

Life as I Understand It

Alright, I wasn't too descriptive with my last post. I do have a job. It's at 6round. I'm writing posts about social media and the culture it has created. Check out my article about making friends online. It will change your world! Or, you'll find it kind of interesting. One of those two.

If you've been reading my blog, you know that I'm a fan of American Idol, and a devote Worster. Tim Urban! I am currently watching Idol Gives Back. Is there anything closer to hell on earth? I mean, it's nice that they're helping disadvantaged children, but 2 hours? 2 freakin hours? Do young people watch this and not fall asleep out of boredom? I mean, it's depressing, the performances are terrible (I'm looking at you Alicia Keys) and the shit we actually care about (who gets voted off) gets squeezed between George Lopez and Jonah Hill. George Lopez and Jonah Hill! That is what ugly death looks like. McLovin was a long time ago, Jonah.

Alright, lets get real for a moment. Relationships. I am getting frustrated with them. Call me crazy, but meaningless sex doesn't have the same thrill it used too. Yet, as a 21 year old, try finding another 21 year old who wants to do anything but have meaningless sex. Dating sites are huge for people my age, but I'm worried I'm never going to find that special someone. I'm too young to think like that, you say? Well, you're right. Stop being so uppity.

I swear to God, if my friends keep dragging me to clubs to "find" someone, I'm going to have a fewer friends. Do you know who likes clubs? Young girls. Do you know who doesn't like clubs? Young guys. Ask 10 guys, and I bet you 9/10 would rather sit in a pub with some friends, have some draft beer, and maybe listen to a band. One day, I will destroy the club industry. No clue how I'm going to do it yet, but I'll get there.

So that was a barely coherent rant. Thanks for reading it!

Your friend,

McGonz