I am no Mike Gunderloy, but …
In addition to my nearly daily writing for this blog(1), I have also done some writing and technical reviewing for a couple of publishers over the last year. Though I’m not ready to commit to anything yet until I get some of my free time back(2), I plan on doing lots more of the same in the near future.
In the mail this morning I received a check for some writing I did a few months ago. This is the first time I’ve been paid for a contribution in something besides free copies of the book, magazine, etc. It was not a lot, but for me it is a big deal. Perhaps in my mind I’ve crossed the threshold on my way to becoming a real writer. Probably not, but I’m going to photocopy the check, frame it and hang it on my office wall anyway!
I know some of you veterans like Wyatt, Jim, and James are laughing at my giddyness, but today is a little like the day I got my first paycheck at my first programming gig. I couldn’t believe they were actually paying me to code! They were paying me to do something that I loved and do as a hobby! Now I can even write about something I love and do for a hobby - and sometimes I’ll even get paid for my drivel!
Now if only I could get paid to sit on my ass and/or play XBOX.
(1) - Kyle reports that I create 0.6 posts/day.
(2) - 3 month olds seem to suck up any free time that you previously thought you had.