So there I was two weeks ago, like many of you, you found yourself applying for the writing job, probably with the same images in your head. You’d show all these kids your writing ability, get into the podcast community, become a big name on the site.
I was going to be a star! Find out what happened after the jump.
I mean, who needs that “Doc” guy anyway? I mean, I don’t know how many podcasts I heard him sheepishly defending himself that he just couldn’t find the time to play a god damn game. I mean, he runs a damn gaming website, what kind of clown could he be?
All this was bouncing around my head when I got the job. In my wildest fantasies, I imagined usurping the crown.
Then I got the job, and the reality landed on me like a ton of bricks.
First, I was coming on board with four other writers, so I wasn’t going to be the shining new star in the galaxy, but just another dot in a constellation.
Secondly, the time required to do the job was much more intensive then I imagined.
That first day, I spent 4-5 hours setting up accounts. Got my Wordpress account, set up my shiny new Sarcastic Gamer website account, got my forum account, set up my email accounts, set up this account, set up that account. That ground through most of my time on Wednesday; time where I regularly would have been gaming.
The next day, when I got home from work, determined to get in there and flex my literary muscles. With hammer and anvil, I spent another 4-5 hours writing my two, lovingly handcrafted articles. I figured they would go in, one at a time, over a period of time and be highlighted for the world to see! I wanted a pedestal for my work, so each could be studied and admired at length. The critics would “ooh” and “aah” with my witty banter.
What happened was something totally different. My first article was rejected! What? Moi!?! I was stunned! Who were these plebeians to dismiss my work? So there went two hours of work that could have been spent gaming.
I spent another 2-3 hours writing another article to make up for the first one and then put them into the queue, waiting with baited breath. I felt like I was putting two new pieces in the Louvre. What it ended up feeling like was as if I was putting a pair of Faberge eggs into a woodchipper. They were posted…and then fell off the front page so quickly, I could barely blink. It turns out that those other four hacks were equally, if not more so, eager to get their works published. I was already falling behind!
I did finally get some game time in over the weekend between my wife’s honey-do list and random errands. But while I was away, those four other guys were outpacing me, including posts from the regular content writers! The maw that was the SG article submission queue would not be appeased!
So let’s run the score: I was out almost 12 hours for a job I do not get paid for. On top of that, I now am forced to pour through RSS feeds from almost a dozen gaming news sites. I no longer listen to music, but am now forced to listen to gaming news podcasts while I walk around the house doing chores. So, with the metagaming research, we’ll say 15 hours? That’s maybe 1-2 full single player video game campaigns. That’s without the hassle of scripting or doing podcasts.
And that’s not even a full WEEK, as I’m writing this on Monday (more time!), and I got the job last Tuesday.
I can tell I’m going to enjoy working here, and I appreciate the staff giving me a chance. But now I totally understand where Doc is coming from when he says he doesn’t have time for games.
And hell, he’s got kids, too!
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Good article, not sure many people understand the time it takes to do something like this. In order to keep it up you MUST love what you do. I found this out my starting a small venture as well.
Plus like you stated you still have your “real” job, family, wife, and kids which I have all of. Although I wouldn’t trade any of it… now back to the podcasts.
I’m feeling exactly the same way and I’m not even required to put anything out during the week.
I’m just enjoying getting my thoughts on things out there.
It’s work, but, what am I doing otherwise? Finishing RE5? It can wait.
Welcome to the club, buddy.
Somehow it all ends up being worth it, though.
Thanks for putting that out there. We readers really don’t understand how much work you guys put into writing these articles. Thank you! Thank you for your hard time and effort that you guys put into making some quality stuff for us gamers to enjoy. You guys are awesome!
This article gets 2 stars!
Personally, I treat this as something to do after I finish work for a couple of hours a day. I’m loving it so far. I spend most of my time in AND outside of work talking video games to people who quite frankly aren’t that interested, and now I can run my mouth at an audience that comes to this site specifically to find that stuff! (I don’t usually like to use the word “stuff,” it’s a terrible word. Sorry…).
In conclusion, I’m glad I’m contributing to making you feel like you should try harder to do something you love! And I’m glad I’m under the same pressure. Enjoyable pressure… Mmmmmm… enjoyable pressure…
Thought it was all sunshine and roses didn’t ya?
Figured out how to move up the queue pretty quickly though – big up the editor!:P
It’s all part of the Plan: they’ll make you guys feel the insane pressure of competition for a few months then into an octagonal cage with you half naked, oiled up and armed with a harpoon.
We’ll get that sort of treatment for free?
Looks like I can cancel my 3am meeting.
Five men enter, one man leave?
Well, that doesn’t work.
Woohoo! Double digit comments! I win!
Just as long as no clothes come off and the cage match turns into something that would make three-fourths of San Francisco blush. Then again, I don’t know. I’m a big guy, but I have a feeling ShanghaiSix would dominate us all.
The late nights aren’t so bad on the weekends. I need to do more writing on Thursday/Fridays so that by the time the weekend rolls around, Yamster can just let them go, but it did cut in to my game time.
What? It has been all hookers and blow since I started. You are getting the shaft.
Okay, if I can get Harlequin to post on this, I’ll have the whole Pink show here sounding off! That’s got to be worth something, like in Monopoly!
“Who were these plebeians to dismiss my work?”
Dear Sir,
I find your derogatory use of the term ‘plebeian’ to be offensive.
In fact, I find that girls that like to kiss other girls are kind of hot.
Thank you.
John