So tired of school

[MentalBrain]

It's the end, by which I mean the VERY end, of my senior year, and I didn't graduate because I couldn't make myself do the homework. I feel exhausted, and I sincerely doubt I could handle summer school, much less another year. I want to take a break of maybe a year and a half to recover from the sleep deprivation I suffered from school, study online and develop a potential talent for writing, and eventually buy an RV to live in. I intend to seek employment over the Internet with my writing, so I don't have to be tied down to a single location. I feel like this is an ideal course of action, but I'd appreciate feedback before I actually commit to it, especially regarding the availability of alternative high school diploma programs. For the record, I'm already aware of the GED, but I'm not going to get it until my other options are exhausted, because it prevents whoever has it from getting a diploma, and it's less valuable in the workforce.

 

[Redfire]

You are probably going to feel even more tired later on. My suggestion: get the diploma as soon as possible.

 

[Jennywocky]

What type of writing, and in what field(s)?

Your job potential definitely hinges on those things.

Also, if you're going to be self-employed and try to sell writing enough to LIVE on, I'd recommend having a primary job and doing your writing in your spare time (because you need money to survive), and also you'll have to do a lot of self-marketing. You will spend much of your early time not necessarily writing but making contacts and trying to get hooked up with people who will feed you assignments enough to make some income; or I guess you could write some articles and then try to sell them.

I don't know enough about specifics, but you'll probably with a strategy like that need supplemental income / have a low standard of living until you can network enough to be able to get paid for whatever work you do.

if you want to write novels, it's best to actually get a draft of that book done and then find an agent / find connections to sell it for you. I say only a decent first draft because a publisher will often have feedback for you that you'll need to incorporate; your book might not sell "as is."

Not getting homework done resulting in not graduating... if you could have pulled it off, that would have saved you another year. I think the diploma would be very very useful if only to get you some jobs to tide you over until your writing gets somewhere. You will need your energy for the road to come. Time to think "big picture" and get the rest you need; the energy will be necessary.

 

[MentalBrain]

Standard of living isn't a huge issue with me. I just need enough for basic living and Internet access. I'm thinking about writing professionally for two main reasons; it's something I think I might have talent for, and it's something I can do over the Internet. I'm not super attached to any one part of the plan. I mostly care about the RV part, because of the independence and mobility, which informs the career choice. Also important is a low amount of stress in my job. I was thinking maybe blogging and/or writing articles for a website.
The general goal is a sustainable, low-stress, high-mobility, independent lifestyle.

 

[kris]

Just keep in mind that talented writing has less general market value than consistent and competent writing. A low percentage of talented writers who want to make the next great masterwork of literature may break through, but average reading standards seem to be pretty low. There's piecework which isn't particularly gratifying from a creative standpoint, but it pays, is flexible, and at the entry level doesn't require much in the way of credentials. Jobs vary from ghost writing, transcription, pornographic novels, varied online articles, and light technical writing (amongst other things). Technical writing can pay pretty well as a dedicated career, but that often requires college education for secure hours, good wages and benefits (does't sound like that's what you're after right now anyway).

Try what you want. It can get harder as time passes to back track and try school again, but if you've hit a burn out, then going through the motions may just net you with half a college diploma/ degree which is not proportionate in value to half a degree's worth of student debt. It's not impossible to take a different path later on, and it's not impossible to succeed with writing. I believe it's still statistically true that having post secondary education is more likely to net you a better salary, but you don't benefit as an individual from statistical success. You could succeed along the path you're considering now, or maybe even just have a good time fucking it all up, only to try something else later on.

I'd say the dangerous aspect of the path you've outlined is complacency and idleness. If you basically work freelance for clients online, much of the work available to you is taken as you please. Momentum with work can rise and fall both in terms of personal motivation and available work opportunities, so it's important to keep going while you can. If you hit a rut, there's no one and nothing to force you out. It can become a psychological trap -- a loop of reenforcing negativity. You have to know your personal weaknesses quite well and stay on top of that shit.

 

[Pyropyro]

MentalBrain, I think you really need to think this through. I've spent some time as an online writer and I'll have to say that it's definitely NOT a low-stress way of life.

You think one homework is bad? Everyday you'll have to submit 5-6 homework level projects when you're writing online. You can also survive if you can submit one college thesis level project per month.

Online clients can be a dick sometimes. It's quite stressful to rework a project two or three times.

You'll have to work hours on end to get a decent amount of income. I come from a country that has a lower cost of living compared to yours yet I still struggled to make a living (even if I earned dollars).

You'll have to compete with people from different parts of the globe who are willing to work at very low rates.

You'll have to swallow your pride A LOT. Sometimes you have no choice but to take projects that is way beneath your dignity.

If you're going to go to this route then I suggest that you go with Jenny's advice and get a primary job.

 

[Absurdity]

The general goal is a sustainable, low-stress, high-mobility, independent lifestyle.

Oh wow is that all you're after? Ditch the RV dreams, finish school, and acquire a valuable (read: difficult to learn) skill.

Writing isn't valuable unless you've already been published, and even then you'll be making half as much as your average blue-collar trade worker (if you're lucky). I suppose the romance and *~status~* of being a writer compensates for that earning differential though.

And enjoy your neighbors at the local RV park ...

 

[Vrecknidj]

Most of the writers I know (and I know a few)...

Hans Cummings

David Bain

My co-authors on Coliseum Morpheuon: Anthology of Dreams

...

Are flat broke or they have at least a full-time job or several part-time jobs.

Even my friend Dakota Cassidy cranks out tens of thousands of words a week, goes on book tours, and does the whole "I'm a cult celebrity" thing and isn't living in luxury (though, if she wasn't interested in having a relationship with her husband or son, probably could afford to live in an RV).

Also, all the writers I know who are making any money at all (as in, more than $500 a month; not enough to live on), are in their 30s or 40s. It's really, really hard to write on a wide variety of subjects, with any real authority (even fiction), until you've lived long enough to have developed the perspectives you need to rely on in your writing.

That said, best of luck. When I was exiting high school, that's exactly what I wanted to do.

 

[Base groove]

Oh ... I never graduated university. Made it to the end of my final semester and gave up. Didn't finish. [No questions will be answered.]

Now I have a crappy trade job. Don't be a fool.

 

[redbaron]

I used to write articles for a couple of websites. Writing isn't low stress and in most cases not sustainable.

Something you do if you absolutely have to, because you'll never be happy if you don't. If it's most of the things you're after? I'm not so sure.

Still if you want advice. Go get a job, save up for an RV + a decent buffer for other expenses to last you the time it might take before you start generating an income. Maybe 5k. Then you can live in your RV for a while off what you've saved and hopefully in that time get the ball rolling and generate some kind of income.

I guess living in an RV would be cheap, all you need to worry about is food + gas, and if you live off primarily vegetables + rice that's pretty cheap. Still seems like a lofty goal, though plausible I suppose.

 

[MentalBrain]

There seems to have been a miscommunication. When I say I want to be a writer, I don't mean I want to be an AUTHOR, I just want to get paid to write stuff. I only consider writing in general because it's something I do effortlessly, though I don't have much input as to the quality. And the work part I don't think would be an issue because I'd be getting paid for it. Still, though, if it turns out part or all of my idea is unsustainable, I'll just come up with another one.
And what do you mean "local RV park", Absurdity? I'm not sticking around.

 

[Minuend]

Oh ... I never graduated university. Made it to the end of my final semester and gave up. Didn't finish. [No questions will be answered.]

Now I have a crappy trade job. Don't be a fool.

Hear, hear

 

[Analyzer]

There seems to have been a miscommunication. When I say I want to be a writer, I don't mean I want to be an AUTHOR, I just want to get paid to write stuff. I only consider writing in general because it's something I do effortlessly, though I don't have much input as to the quality. And the work part I don't think would be an issue because I'd be getting paid for it. Still, though, if it turns out part or all of my idea is unsustainable, I'll just come up with another one.
And what do you mean "local RV park", Absurdity? I'm not sticking around.

Make a blog, website and start writing. Show prospective employers your skills, there's lots of need for content writers, technical writers.

 

[Absurdity]

And what do you mean "local RV park", Absurdity? I'm not sticking around.

Regardless of where you go, you can't just park an RV anywhere -- especially if you want internet access. Your neighbors in these areas where you'll be forced to park will certainly be ... colorful, to say the least.

 

[Redfire]

Regardless of where you go, you can't just park an RV anywhere -- especially if you want internet access. Your neighbors in these areas where you'll be forced to park will certainly be ... colorful, to say the least.

Racism!

 

[Base groove]

I think he was referring to personalities.

 

[EditorOne]

I'm not sure if we're talking about high school or college here, but if it's high school: Take the GED test, get that diploma, and then make your plans. That's a United States education system thing, so if it's some other country ignore what I said.

As a living, breathing, just-over-broke representative of those who figured a college diploma didn't matter because I had four years of college anyway: NO. NO. NO.

As a writer for 38 years: NO. NO. NO.

If you want to be independent, learn how to start a business. The operative word in there is "learn." Your boredom will dissipate if you start learning about something that will make a real difference to you as opposed to the dreck at school.

 

[TBerg]

Racism!

I was going to pull the trigger on that one, but you beat me to it. It's funny how we interpret things sometimes.

 

[kris]

Regardless of where you go, you can't just park an RV anywhere -- especially if you want internet access. Your neighbors in these areas where you'll be forced to park will certainly be ... colorful, to say the least.

Not necessarily. While it is true you cannot park an RV wherever you like, there are, throughout the United States, free places to set up which are quite lovely, and not always too far from towns (where you can get wifi). There are no facilities for waste disposal or electrical outlets like you'd get at an RV park, but free camping areas on public lands aren't all dried up yet.

Living a dirtbag lifestyle is not ideal for most, and pretty much everyone burns out on it eventually, but it's not impossible. In terms of long term impact, maybe it's not the best plan, but there are so many variables at play that we can only talk about statistical likelihood, not what will actually happen.

If the question was whether or not it's a good idea to go nomadic while picking up piecework writing assignments online, I would say it isn't. Is it doable? Yes, if one is willing to sacrifice luxuries and is okay with not having much sense of longterm security. That said, apart from your early twenties or after retirement, I don't think there is a better time to go.

 

[Base groove]

Actually I've toyed with the idea of RV living as well (well... trailer living, to be specific)

There is a thread (from a different member) ... I'll find it...

http://www.intpforum.com/showthread.php?t=15769

My idea is that I'd like to probably have a condo or something to invest in/put money toward and use a P.O. box/storage locker for all my correspondence. I plan to locate a compact diesel generator and bolt it down to the truck box.

It's really more conducive to my line of work because I will have a practical use for the trailer after I'm through with the entire affair, that is to gut it and convert it to a break-room for my future business. I have so many plans....

I've already got the rustbucket truck

I guess when you reach the end of your rope there's always this:

Spoiler

 

[EyeSeeCold]

When you live on the road, how would State/Province IDs, Driver's License and other documentation be handled, especially ones that need an address? Do you just ignore it and let it pile up?

 

[Red myst]

To the OP, it's hard to know where to begin. You haven't given enough information on your circumstances. I don't know anything about you, but as others have said, this ain't gonna be easy no matter what. Life ain't easy. But it gets easier along the way, especially of you make the right choices for yourself for the right reasons. If you goal is to live the starving artist lifestyle on the road from paycheck to paycheck, then your plan may work. I know two people who have tried this sort of thing and both are now over fifty and live with their parents. And they both finished HS and have some college. I on the other hand, dropped out in my junior year of HS and went to trade school. Academics was not for me, and a lifetime of working as a technician has proven that I made the right decision for me. I have been prosperous and content with the way things have turned out. I educate myself as necessary to remain versatile and employable. But I knew what I wanted since early childhood. It was a no brainier for me, but each case is different. If academics is not for you, then get your GED. But seriously, how much more school do you need? What classes are keeping you from that HS diploma? Summer school is only like 8 weeks. How far behind are you? You need an education or trade of some sort beyond HS. Once you have that no one will care if you have HS diploma or GED. I have never been asked. But then again, I don't seek jobs that would, and I'm to old for it to matter now.
You need a better plan. The plan you have seems disjointed. Have you done your homework on the prospect of living in an RV? Do you know how much they cost, maintain, where you can park them and how much that cost? It really isn't much cheaper than living in an apartment, and a lot more inconvenient. There are some people that do this kind of thing, and get by. You can search out sites specifically for that kind of lifestyle. Some of them blog about their experiences.
But first things first. Regardless of weather you graduate school or get GED, if academics is not for you and you have no intention of going to college, you need to get a trade or you will be at the mercy of whatever wage slave work that you can find. And you should work on your writing in your spare time. Just like many other artist that have a day job as well.
Just my 2 cents.

 

[Base groove]

When you live on the road, how would State/Province IDs, Driver's License and other documentation be handled, especially ones that need an address? Do you just ignore it and let it pile up?

I've just assumed you could give a PO box and it would suffice.

 

[Vrecknidj]

There seems to have been a miscommunication. When I say I want to be a writer, I don't mean I want to be an AUTHOR, I just want to get paid to write stuff.

And ... who is going to pay you to write? How much writing for how much pay?

I only consider writing in general because it's something I do effortlessly, though I don't have much input as to the quality. And the work part I don't think would be an issue because I'd be getting paid for it.

See above.

Still, though, if it turns out part or all of my idea is unsustainable, I'll just come up with another one.

Alas, that's the suggestion here, generally.

And what do you mean "local RV park", Absurdity? I'm not sticking around.

Per some others, there is the issue of things like a mailing address and a driver license, etc.

 

[walfin]

Go back to school, repeat the last year while you still can.

 

[kris]

And ... who is going to pay you to write? How much writing for how much pay?

There are outfits online which pool contracts which are issued on a freelance basis. Work type and pay rate varies, but unlike conventional writing jobs, I don't believe an English degree or professional experience is typically required to get started (unlike other technical writing jobs). Pay rates, depending on your ability and efficiency vary, but from people I've know who've done such work, they made between $9-18/ hour. Not amazing wages by any standard and much of the work is a bit of a grind, but it can beat minimum wage at the very least.

This is what my brother has been doing for work lately. I don't know the finer details, and it's not likely to ever afford him an extravagant lifestyle, but it seems to work for him as long as he's persistent with it. He had to try a few avenues before finding arrangements which worked for him, I believe, but demand exists for this type of general writing work.

Per some others, there is the issue of things like a mailing address and a driver license, etc.

It's awkward, but not insurmountable. While it's not an option available to everyone, one of the easiest avenues is to use your parents' mailing address or another close relation.

Different regions have different rules regarding driver's licensing so different options are going to be available. I'm going to wager this complication is nothing new to any state, though it may not be common. There is probably some solution available in many states which doesn't amount to fraud, and if not.... find the cheapest hole in the wall place to rent and factor it in as a monthly cost. Not ideal, but legal.

 

[Variform]

I always wanted to be a writer, well, at least from maybe...16 on? But here there are only a handful of writers that make enough money to live off it. Famous people that wrote some classics. The rest is all just part-time.

I never wanted to be a writer full time, at least, never considered it. My dream was more to get my fantasy series published.

I read Tolkien quite young, before any kid was even aware it. I found a copy in a book case in the attic. I can actually still recall the moment, the feeling of adventure to look at these books, hidden behind a cupboard sliding door. I went over them and found Tolkien. And I found The Hobbit. And it had a map! Oh. My. God.

A book with a map of a fantasy land?! The concept!

I read it and from there on I was hooked on anything fantasy and sci-fi. When I got to high school many years later I pushed it on a friend I had, like a drug dealer trying to seduce a potential customer. If I only got him to read chapter one...

And he read on, and on and I experienced it with him as he read it for the first time and loved it. What part are you now! Oh yes, thats right...

I read it in English for English class, impressing my teachers. Even the one for economics... I would have read it in German too but never got around to that.

Newer copies of the book have more modern translations. But the original translations are awesome, a little more archaic in language. I love that style. Also like the much older English, such as you encounter in Moby Dick e.g.

Anyway, rambling on here.

I wanted to write stories because my imagination is limitless. I can literally come up with a book idea in 5 minutes if I set myself to it. I had dreams thatw ere sod etailed, that I could write them as a book.

I even bought an expensive course to learn how to write as a pro. But my dopamine shite ADD got in the way of ALL my fucking' dreams.

Even then I realized also that Iw as just not mature enough to write on a Tolkien level. But I kinda promised myself one day I would be more mature and, like characters in a book, would have undergone character progression.

Well I did, but look where it brought me. I have progressed but mostly on the level of pain and agony. Which I guess are great sources of heart-wrenching and insightful and deep shit!

But still the ADD thing... Writing is one of the last hopes I have for improvement in my life. I will be shite at it, because of various reasons, but I can learn and practice and get better. And maybe one day I'll punish my LOTR and it will be as deep as his work. It might be the only thing about me that can be...distilled out of my disorders and regrets and dysfunctions and all that. The typical tormented writer, like Nietzsche maybe. Hahaha. Omg. Hilarious.
Pour all my ridiculous notions into some story about good and evil, deep and heroic characters that come to live in the readers' mind, subliminally becoming archetypes but when asked to talk about the book on some radio show or on tv, a no-show, the seclusion of a mentally disturbed man, to be talked about after his suicide on the day Nietzsche died or something. How romantic.

Ah writing. It is only for fools.

 

[MentalBrain]

The GOOD news is that the school issue cleared up more easily than I originally thought. Also, as far as learning a trade goes, I've got a CompTIA A+ certification. Also, I've done some thinking about the RV thing. Ultimately, I only thought about that because I don't want to be tied down to any particular location until I decide where I want to settle down. The writing online thing was an offshoot of that. All this said, please advise.

 

[Pyropyro]

Congrats on the school issue. Looks like that certification is great for starting a career in IT. Perhaps our techie members here can help you more on how to take advantage of that.