It’s been a while since I last posted and, of course, I haven’t finished most things I ‘set out to do’ since then. I’m at this weird point where my writing life is suffering but the rest of my life seems to be going up. Which is a weird place to be in considering it was always the opposite. So, as an aspiring writer, what have I done? Bugger all.

This semester so far has been harder than last semester and I have no idea why. The motivation to write anything (even if it’s not fiction and it’s just for uni) is non-existent. And it isn’t even as if I hate what I’m currently studying or the assignments that I’ve been given. I feel like the last six weeks just dashed right by me and now I’m stuck trying to catch up. I want to attribute my inability to write properly to that, because I do feel pretty lost like this, but I couldn’t say it was entirely to blame.

What have I written? This post, some Dungeons and Dragons things, some notes from ideas or dreams…

What have I finished? Nada.

What have I done? I actually have done some progressive things, believe it or not.

On the 20th I had my induction as a Volunteer at the Brisbane Writers Festival. I thought I’d get my butt into gear and actually try to make some headway gaining experience in my industry, especially because of how network-based it is (which is legit the only thing I truly hate about writing). On the 22nd I also had a job interview. Now, for context, I have never had an actual interview before (my jobs have just hired me straight up) and this was also a group interview.

The BWF Volunteer Induction

This was more fun than I thought it would be and a lot more interesting. Because of the role I was assigned, I was worried that the whole thing was/is going to be a miserable experience for me but the induction was fine. I didn’t really talk to anybody but I still enjoyed myself and am excited/scared for working at the festival. I was even more excited when I found out Steven Oliver, Baker Boy, Kevin Rudd and John Marsden are going to be there. But that’s also the same time I realised I had no idea what was even going on at the BWF. I was just so eager to get real-life experience and something new on my resume.

The Group Interview

I enjoyed myself so much more than I thought I would. I went in calm and then could kind of feel the anxiety building up but I did something that I normally struggle (or just really don’t) don’t do: I started talking to people. Before and after the interview I took the initiative to talk to the people around me, or at least continue conversations started with me rather than shying away. It really set the tone for me in the interview and made it a lot easier to relax.

I find out whether or not I have the job tomorrow (and so will be free from my current one for a while) but even if I don’t get it, I’m really happy with how the day went and I felt like I had some important experiences. It’s also helped me with engaging people everywhere else in life.

Upcoming Uni Work

Debates and Reflections, my favourite kind of work (in some kind of alternate universe somewhere).  I have an essay of course, but this is the first semester where I don’t have a creative piece due until the end of the semester. Which makes me a little sad. I am a lot stronger at my ability to make things up on the page than to articulate intelligence. Wish me luck. I don’t want to tank my GPA when it’s where I like it.

Now, I’m off to READ READ READ.