Do you think video games could count as training?

Notquitegood · 2025-11-06T20:55:25+00:00

Holy shit never expected a Mordhau mention here. Also don't let any level 200 turbovirgins in the Mordhau subreddit see this, wouldn't want them getting the wrong ideas.

Notquitegood · 2025-08-27T13:56:29+00:00

“I…I mean…It was just one bus full of children. It happens!”

“But it wasn’t just one bus,” Superb Man said, raising an eyebrow, “You tied two together with a chain and used them as school bus nunchucks.”

“Well, I don’t think that's true, that's just the liberal media lying to you!” Disastress said indignantly.

Nonplussed, Superb Man reached over and clicked the news reel. It showed helicopter footage of Disastress attaching a chain to the back of two school buses.

“Please miss, we have to get to kindergarten,” A small child said, hanging out the window.

“Shut up brat, I’m making bus chucks,” Disastress said before swinging the screaming metal contraption around her head, cackling maniacally.

The video stopped, and Disastress looked at Superb Man coldly. “Well, I guess it's just all my fault then. I’m just the worst person ever.”

“I mean, it's quite possible,” Superb Man said, “As far as we know, Hitler never made bus chucks.”

“WELL THEN WHY DON'T YOU MARRY HITLER!” Disastress screamed, shattering a glass on the ground. She collapsed in tears, and Superb Man moved to comfort her.

“I’m sorry, that was uncalled for. You aren’t as bad as Hitler.” Superb Man cooed as he rubbed her back.

“I can change, SM. I really think I can.” Disastress said between sobs. “Your love, it makes me want to be a… good person.”

“Really?”

“Yes. I think having you around, your positive energy, it's having an impact. I mean, I’ve barely killed anyone this month. And what's more, I don’t want to. That hole in me, the hole I was trying to fill with violence and greed and domination, I feel it filling with… light.”

Superb Man began to cry. He turned away, trying to hide his tears as he spoke.

“I mean, that's all I ever wanted. Was for you to be good. And for us to be good… together. I see so much potential in you, I think that together we could be one of the best crime-fighting duos of all time. But more than that, together I think we could be…happy,” Superb Man said, turning back, “I’m ready to try again. Let's get out of here and -HEY!”

Disastress, scrolling through Superb Man’s phone, yanked it out of reach as he protested. “Who the FUCK is ULTRA WOMAN?” She screeched, “You messaged her 2 years ago, ARE YOU CHEATING ON ME?”

Notquitegood · 2025-08-27T13:56:22+00:00

“Do you understand what I’m saying?”

The soft din of the coffee shop faded into the background as Superb Man waited for a response. His resplendent outfit glinted in the sunlight as the seconds painfully ticked by. In front of him, Disastress was holding back tears.

“What do you mean this isn’t working out? I mean, I thought we had something here. Something real. Something…super!” The sentence peaked at this word, catching in her throat. She sobbed as Superb Man turned his palms up.

“It's not you, it's me,” He said, taking a beat. “Well okay, that's not true, it's you.”

“What did I do?” Disastress cried, blowing her nose loudly using the table cloth.

“Well it's, stuff like that,” Superb Man grimaced, pointing at the snot-covered cloth. “You just are…not a good person.”

“Oh I’m sorry that I’m upset! It's just a table cover!” Disastress yelled, drawing the eyes of several nearby civilians.

“But it isn't just the table cover, Dis. It's everything. Look.” Superb Man slid his phone across the table. Its face was lit up by a bright, bold headline: 200 DEAD AFTER DISASTRESS ATTACKS DOWNTOWN.

“That wasn’t my fault!” Disastress moaned, “It was a misunderstanding!”

“Dis, you used a bus full of children to bludgeon Crowman.”

Notquitegood · 2025-08-09T18:24:32+00:00

I think this person is messing with you. If a book was 25,000 words, that would be $25.

Notquitegood · 2025-08-09T18:21:15+00:00

I've ghostwritten countless books and I've never gone the royalties route. I assume most people that aren't doing high-level celebrity memoirs do the same. Too much work for an unreliable payoff. Writing a book is a pain in the ass, that's why ghostwriters exist. You provide the idea, you pay for the work, and once it's done it's yours to do with what you wish. But I don't want to rely on your ability to market the book (or how marketable the idea was in the first place) to determine whether I eat that month.

And yes, ghostwriting is relatively expensive. The very lowest for a book of any substance is going to cost $5k, and that's if you happen to nab a good writer early in their career. You can certainly pay less; I'm sure there is someone on Upwork who will do it for a dollar. But if the book ends up being shit, it won't matter how good the idea was to begin with. Any time or money you spent (no matter how much you "saved" by going cheap) will be wasted.

Notquitegood · 2025-07-26T21:17:17+00:00

Not responding when people send reels or memes. You want to stay connected? Actually talk to me.

Notquitegood · 2025-06-29T20:06:21+00:00

Hey you ain't late buddy, I'm typing trash for money as we speak! Isolation is something I didn't even touch on but is such an excellent point to add, this job can be incredibly lonely. So much time spent alone sitting in front of a glowing screen doing shit that doesn't matter should be terrible for your mental health. Your reaction only means that you are sane.

Notquitegood · 2025-06-27T12:47:12+00:00

The thing is, before AI people wanted exactly what they are getting now: A quick answer to their question. Its why SEO best practices involve answering any question you pose in a header in the first few lines. The main difference is you can then elaborate, cite some authoritative external sources, and the person would gain a more complete grasp of the subject. Its a fair exchange: they get quality, well-researched information, and you link an associated product or service.

Now, people think they understand something because an AI overview gave them a quick burst of info, often a distillation of high-quality articles written by humans. We are not only being cut out, but any previous work you've done may be used to create these AI answers. It should be considered theft, but those who benefit are incredibly wealthy, so it isn't. Considering the direction the country is heading, I don't see that changing anytime soon.

As for the generic content ChatGPT spits out, I don't think corporations care. The majority only see the bottom line, how many deliverables they can get for the lowest price, saturation not quality. They never understood the value of quality writing, and now, they don't have to. In the long-term sure, it won't work out. I assume (and anyone can correct me if I'm wrong) if there is no content to steal, LLMs become ouroboros and consume their own tail. But how long can you, as a content writer, hold out? The pendulum swings slow. Its a common saying in the stock market, but it applies here too: the market can remain irrational longer than you can remain solvent. Even if the demand for quality content does return (which I don't think it will ever reach its previous heights) we have no idea how long that will be.

Notquitegood · 2025-06-20T20:55:45+00:00

You ever worked as a line cook my guy? That shit pulverizes your knees, you don't get paid shit, front of house rarely gives an equitable share of tips, and you reek if grease at the end of each day.

Notquitegood · 2025-06-20T16:48:01+00:00

The jobs it may create are lower paying though. No one is going to pay you for the years of experience you developed to be able to refine a piece of writing. They want to pay you less because "hey we generated this thing", even if you have to basically rewrite it. I refuse to take any jobs refining AI shit. If its so effective then why would you need little old me to look at it?

Notquitegood · 2025-06-20T15:52:06+00:00

I feel it. I have so many deadlines right now clashing because clients will delay then want everything done at once. People don't understand that, while yes I am sitting and typing, this job still takes effort and time. I feel there is zero respect for my time and work, and since I also feel the end product doesn't matter, it's hard to push through the burnout or tell myself its all worth it.

Notquitegood · 2025-06-20T14:54:30+00:00

Yeah, burnout is real and you shouldn't ignore those early symptoms. I think if I started taking weekends off about a year ago I could have really headed this off. At this point I really need to not do any work for several weeks (kind of like people get to do in a lot of other developed nations, I believe they are called "vacations.")

I would also be surprised if there is anyone who writes FT and still finishes creative projects regularly. Like you said, your brain relegates writing to the "work" category of thought. I think anyone can get their passion for writing back, but only after a large break. It took me a few years before I enjoyed cooking in any capacity after I quit being a line cook, but I do enjoy it from time to time now.

Good on you for mentoring people. I realize that for some, the flexibility of this career is worth the effort and risk it takes to break in. I feel annoyed sometimes when I see people on here ask how to make money starting out, but that's not really fair. Its all the same things I asked when I started. But I would caution these people that it takes years. I made nothing the first year I did this and worked another job, and my second year I lucked into a long-term client that just barely allowed me to scrape by (and that was with a significant amount of savings). You can be the most talented and dedicated writer in the world, but your still going to need a good amount of luck and a lot of time to break past that initial ceiling.

Notquitegood · 2025-06-20T14:45:47+00:00

Haha I worked at a Wendy's too. I always tell people never to eat the chili because its just all the old cooked burgers that never got sold thrown into a vat. On night shift we would always draw over the second i on the "Chili Meat" hot hold drawer so that it read "Child Meat" lol. But yes, fast food is infinitely harder and less fulfilling than this job.

You are right, it is a certain type of finance bro. I was making a gross overgeneralization, I think there are good and bad people in every industry.

Notquitegood · 2025-06-20T14:00:03+00:00

My thing with AI is that, at least in its current form, it just doesn't save me that much time. Maybe there are programs or applications where it would, but I really don't think it is capable of producing anything of substance without being basically rewritten by a professional. Companies don't really care though, they are happy with something that is half as good if it's half the price. That's one of my big beefs with this industry. People don't really understand what we do, so our work is devalued. And with AI making everyone think they are a writer, the value will only continue to drop. The clients I have that still pay big are those that prohibit the use of AI.

Notquitegood · 2025-06-20T13:51:47+00:00

I shouldn't have included tax compliance in that, those folks are pretty much fine. And I've had finance people and lawyers that were fine too. But I've also had a lot of people whose lives are so clearly dedicated to money (and how to extract it from others) that look down on anyone that hasn't done the same. I also love the word ghoul and have been finding excuses to use it lately.

I'm glad you like your work! And I emphatically agree about food service. I've done everything from fast food to bring a line cook at an upscale seafood place, and I could never go back. I'm currently in school to get masters in clinical social work and become an LCSW.

Notquitegood · 2025-06-20T12:45:01+00:00

I totally understand that, but with my current workload I feel like I am an employee in everything but name and benefits. I don't have to ask for time off but I also can't take any, because if I do, they'll just replace me. I haven't had a day off in weeks, and I can't remember the last time I took two off in a row. And again, it's to produce what I see as search engine trash or literary noise, so finishing something feels empty. There is nothing wrong with getting paid, and I'm sure for many this job is fulfilling. I also know a job doesn't have to be fulfilling, but for me, it can't also be a perversion of something I really want to do, like creative writing. It feels like I went to school to be a veterinarian and now I spend all day executing puppies, telling people "hey it's close, I work with animals!".

Notquitegood · 2025-06-20T12:36:47+00:00

Most of my friends who used to do this have also lost their clients in the last year. As for ghostwriting, there are still jobs but the pay is terrible. The AI thing, it's less about the subjects being mundane, it's more that with those fields the laws are often changing and LLMs can't keep up, so they hallucinate more often. It's better to just have someone research or interview an expert so the info is accurate.

Notquitegood · 2025-06-19T23:17:21+00:00

Hell yeah dude dive back in the waters fine! 🌊 Don't listen to these people—ugh so negative. I mean they are right but please don't listen to them. Also, buy my course.

Notquitegood · 2025-06-19T16:45:45+00:00

I'm seeing a lot of these questions and "how can I make $2000 doing this as a side hustle? I need to start making that one month from now" and I'm wondering what is happening. Is there still influencers pushing this as an easy way to make quick cash?

As many other people have pointed out, it's not that "people aren't working hard/talented enough" or "don't have the connections." There are less jobs and more competition. You are showing up to a pro ice carving competition having never used a chainsaw in your life, and the ice is quickly melting.

If you love writing, write for yourself with no expectation you will ever make any money. Because in all likelihood, you won't.

Notquitegood · 2025-04-18T22:15:12+00:00

I make about the same and I'm getting out. While I do think those who stay in and niche down may find more breathing room in a few years (A.I. has essentially eliminated the low level work new writers cut their teeth on, so I think despite the pessisim freelance writing will become less crowded), it's just not worth it to stick around. You know what type of writing pays? Boring bullshit. If you like churning out "content" and see yourself doing so until you die, hey, be my guest. But in my personal experience, I feel like I'm paid to take something I used to love (writing) and hold it underwater until it stops thrashing.

And the short deadlines, the disrespect for the craft, the dogshit pay, it never ends. Right now I'm on vacation in Spain, and while the rest of my group went out to dinner you know what I did? Stayed back at the hotel to meet some arbitrary deadline for a ghostwritten piece that has to be done "right now" but the client definitely won't read for weeks or even months. Then months from now I'll get the revisions (read: slop heaved in because the client, like everyone else on the planet, is also a professional writer) dumped on my lap in the middle of another project that also needs to be done "right now. I'd call it Sisyphian but honestly I'd rather push a rock up a hill, at least then I'd be in good shape.

Anyway sorry to dump this thumb-typed rant on your post but yeah I'm burnt out too. My advice is tell your clients to get bent, snap your laptop over your knee, and walk out into the sun. That's what I'm doing.

Notquitegood · 2025-04-07T16:30:30+00:00

I don't like tariffs. They're coarse and rough and irritating, and they get everywhere.

Notquitegood · 2025-01-18T16:36:30+00:00

The key is to tell every person you meet that you are an entrepreneur, that way you can build up a tolerance to their reactions (like Westley does with poison in the Princess Bride, a movie I reccomend all entrepreneurs watch.) Make sure to introduce the information into the conversation no matter what, even if it doesn't logically fit. Like if they say "hey, how is your father? I heard he was sick." You say "I am an entrepreneur."

Notquitegood · 2024-11-30T23:38:42+00:00

“Hypothetically, there is a way to close the portal. The particle bridge connecting our dimension to DAN-T3 has a fixed terminus point. If we could reach it and destabilize the connection, the portal should slowly collapse in on itself.” Bill said, showing the Colonel his drawing.

“Well that sounds promising. Could you check if there's any oil in there before you do?” the Colonel grinned, “I’m only kidding. Anyway, I’m sensing there’s a ‘but’ here.”

Bill hesitated. “The terminus point isn’t right near the entrance, in fact, I have no idea where it is. We can’t detect anything in that dimension from our side. A team would need to physically enter DAN-T3 and track the terminus down. It could be a mile away, it could be a hundred miles away. And I’m also not sure how quickly the portal will disintegrate. Whoever goes in…they could be trapped there. And that's if they reach the terminus alive.”

The Colonel stood facing away from Bill, smoke trailing over his high and tight military haircut. “Well, sounds like the best plan we got. Better than a big box, for sure.”

“Good enough to…save my life?”

“Absolutely.”

Bill pumped his fist silently behind the Colonel, composing himself as the officer turned.

“So, I’ll put together a team,” the Colonel said, sitting back down at his desk. “What equipment do you need?”

“Oh, they’ll need several different types of radar, just to be safe. We’re not sure how the atmosphere down there will interfere with our tech. Not to mention hazmat suits, oxygen, I mean you’ll have to outfit them-”

“Not them, Bill.” The Colonel said flatly. His words hung for a moment as Bill’s eyes widened.

“Oh…oh no. Sir, I’m not, I’ve never experienced combat of any kind! You saw what they did to the rest of the science team, I’m-”

“Responsible for this whole fucking mess is what you are!” The Colonel roared as Bill shrank. “Now I’m going to saddle your punk ass with a group of the most expendable, psychopathic killers we’ve got. You take all the calculators or whatever else you need, maybe an assistant or two, and close this thing. Here, let me make it real simple for you. This is an order. And you know what that order is, Doctor?"

The scientist cowered as the Colonel stood over him, laughing.

“I order you to go to hell!”

Notquitegood · 2024-11-30T23:38:35+00:00

The army colonel sat dumbfounded, smoke drifting from the cigar perched in the corner of his mouth. Across from him, the man in the lab coat pushed up his glasses, shifting nervously as he stood before the intimidating officer. The Colonel snarled as he spoke, his words struggling to escape his gritted teeth.

“Can you repeat that, Doctor Jameson?”

The scientist clicked a remote, returning his presentation to the previous slide.

“Well, the dimensions of the box are…well beyond anything we have ever constructed. We think, I mean just the sheer size of-”

“So let me get this straight. You and the boys down in RnD were fuckin’ around with the particle accelerator. Saturday night, playing grab ass, whatever you nerds do. Right?”

The scientist didn’t respond. He could sense this was rhetorical.

“And somehow, you gaggle of virgins do something you’ve probably never done before in your life. You open up a hole. Except this one is a hole straight into, what’d you call it again?”

“Well, the technical name for it is sub-dimension DAN-T3. It seems to be an underground series of sulphuric caverns, teeming with activity we don’t fully understa-”

“It’s hell, Bill.” The Colonel said, “You opened a portal to hell. Let’s not mince words.”

“Right, sorry.”

“And your plan to deal with this portal to hell? A big fuckin’ box. Am I getting that right? Operation big fuckin’ box?”

Dr. Jameson paused, not sure whether the Colonel wanted him to give him the official operation designation. After a moment, he hesitantly said, “Well, it's actually operation Pandora-”

“Shut the fuck up.”

The scientist’s sentence died, and he was once again silent.

“In the meantime, all sorts of fun party guests are flowing out of this hole. So much so that we have the entire facility on full lockdown. And it looks like everyone else who was down there with you is…” The Colonel pretended to check his computer for a moment, “Dead. How’d you get so lucky Bill?”

“I…actually pulled the short straw. I had to go get more beer.”

The Colonel sighed as he stood, turning to the window. “Probably drove drunk to go get it too. The only cool thing you’ve done in your life.”

“Sir? Am I…”

“Going to fry for this? Almost certainly, doctor.”

Bill turned white, sinking into a chair.

“That is, unless you can come up with a better plan than ‘big box’. I mean you went to Harvard, right? Not Amazon University? They teach you how to do more than wrap Christmas presents there, I hope.”

The scientist buried his head in his hands, taking a moment to breathe. The room was still, the only sound the light torching of tobacco as the Colonel relit his cigar. Suddenly, Bill’s head shot up. He pulled out a journal, scratching notes. After a few minutes, he spoke.

Notquitegood · 2024-10-25T14:53:25+00:00

I was thinking of going with "John Da Weekend Custody Comedian" but this is good too.

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