whats wrong with wanting to be different

January 10, 2008, 9:14 AM

Okay, I dont want to be in a boring 9-5 job for the rest of my life. Ive always wanted to do something with my life, something my future children wouldnt be ashamed to mention when they are asked. Something exciting.

Ive always wanted to be a novelist and I was on a course that was meant to help me get in with the publishing world, sadly it never did and I had to drop out as I couldnt afford to stay in the course. Ive got books on writing and trying to get your book out there, but people have told me to stop dreaming and get on with my life.

But I dont want to work in a bookshop, supermarket or office for the rest of my life. It seems boring to me. I want to have a different, fun job. Something I dont dread. But I get put off all the time by family and sometimes friends.

Are you in a situation like this? Do you have any tips or advice on getting an exciting job?

January 10, 2008, 9:30 AM

Im in a similar situation, I handed in my notice last week after being in an office job for almost 6 years. I would love to do photography or something creative but well 'im just dreaming' apparently

Unfortunately I haven't actually found a new job yet (being impulsive as I am) But I just decided after being yelled at for being late, Id had enough of coasting along in a crappy office doing something I don't particularily enjoy - altho I will miss all my mates =/

But, alas...it's time for a change I just dunno what I'm gunna do with myself o_O

January 10, 2008, 12:06 PM

Life's too short to spend it behind a desk, have a dream go for it buddy. Personally my dream is to be a zoologist and that's exactly what I'm going for, I'm still saving tuition but I will reach my ultimate goal.

What's life without taking risks? Of course you fall sometimes but that's what will power is for. Find something you have a passion for and stick with it, something you can do day in, and day out and still get a rush from.

And if you get side tracked by people that's just procrastination, should stop that.

Give yourself more credit, people can do just about anything when they put their mind to it. I hope you accomplish everything you want to.

January 10, 2008, 3:09 PM

There's so many things I want to do right now like:

Write a novel (I know exactly what I want to write about...it's just the patience and commitment.
Move to Japan and start my own game company or work for either Hudson Soft or Nihon Falcom.
Go to school and take Asian studies, game design, and a bunch of other computer courses.

And I think there's a couple of other points...but it's like when you have one large barrier sometimes you feel like it's impossible. Right now that barrier is my mom.

January 10, 2008, 3:18 PM

Look at JK Rowling, she wrote Harry Potter while she was at the bottom of the heap, with a lousy job and a tiny apartment.

Anyone can do anything, it's all a matter of patience and maybe a little skill in there too.

Don't give up

January 10, 2008, 3:23 PM

Thanks guys. And its great to know others in a similar situation. Life is indeed to hort to sit behind a desk and Ive told my boyfriend this countless times before. I dont want to end up like him, dreading work every morning.

Just got to pul up my socks and get something done about it.

January 17, 2008, 1:26 PM

To be honest, all you need to be a good writer is a great imagination. Also going on an adventure and seeing the world helps too. By that, having things to write about. Writing skills are important. So creative writing courses would help. I would say do not give up on your dream. Continue with your ambitions. Starting out is never easy.

But the most important thing is a great imagination, originality and gripping writing style. Probably the best thing to do is read other authors and study them. Do not copy. But learn from their skills.

I hope that helps.

January 17, 2008, 1:49 PM

I agree with everyone else! I, too, am working towards being a novelist. I'm going to take a course in Uni next year. My mum doesn't fully support my top choice, but at the end of the day it's my life and I told her that. There's nothing wrong with being different!

The thing is, people tell you you're dreaming 'cause they're afraid. They're afraid of failure. Humankind are all afraid of it. They don't want to admit that they're wrong, or that something might pose a risk. Go for what you want to do, and embrace the risk as well as the possibility of success. People who tell you it's a dream are just trying to protect you from the risk, but a good life is full of risks! Being safe all the time can lead to boring people. Being safe means being conventional and not exploring. If everyone played it safe, we'd have no books, no beautiful paintings, no epic films... All the good careers include risk. People just don't see that.