Writing Like It's My Job

Way back when on May 23, 2004, I started this blog.

I've been blogging since 1998. I don't know if the word "blog" even existed in 1998, but I was doing it. But my blog involved emailing a piece of my wisdom to everyone in my address book, which clogged their inbox since I was writing a lot more in 1998. I've since slowed my writing, but occasionally still have cause to share my wisdom. I hope that this will make it easier.
I hope to set up some kind of archive to illustrate the growth of my work since 1998. I also hope that some publisher will read this, realize how brilliant I am and give me a syndicated column in America's major newspapers and a sitcom based on my work.
So thanks for coming by... hopefully we can enjoy this blogging thing together.

I've come a long way, baby. I read some of my older stuff and groan, but I also read some of it and laugh my ass off at my own wit. (Yes, I'm very modest.) After more than three years of writing nearly daily here, I've had some success. I've written articles for InSite. I did the freelance piece for Boston Magazine in November. Universal Hub very kindly links to me on a fairly regular basis. One guy sent me a book. (Hi, Michael!) I have some of the very awesomest readers on the Internet who aren't afraid to disagree with me, but more often than not laugh or rage right along with me. I enjoy writing here every day.

And, amid all this good stuff, pasquinade has gotten me where I wanted it to. I've been hired as a staff writer for Boston Magazine. Yes, Dan Shaughnessy's worst nightmare is coming true: the bloggers are coming out of their parents' basements and into the hallowed halls of print publishing. Watch out, Danny boy! If you don't step it up, Basegirl's gonna have your job soon.

It was a total whirlwind process that started only a couple of weeks ago. One of the editors emailed me to ask if I'd like to come in and interview for a full-time gig. I was pretty sure I was being punked, but when I showed up and was actually allowed in the building I got really excited. After I did a couple of sample pieces for them and another harrowing phone interview, I was offered the job. Of course, I accepted. I start next week.

I'm very grateful for the opportunity that Boston Magazine is giving me. They're taking a chance on someone who is a relatively inexperienced writer just because I'm a good inexperienced writer. I'm totally up for the challenge, and I can't wait to get started. I hope to keep pasquinade up and running because I do like writing with lots of swears, and I'm probably going to have to reign that in a bit for my day job. (My writing day job. Hee. It's not old yet.) I can't tell you what I'll be writing yet, but I do hope you'll keep tabs on me in my "professional" capacity. I can only hope the sitcom deal comes through for me next.