What the heck is a Media Star?

What is a Media Star anyway? Who is one? Apparently Business Insider (who?!?) seems to know 25 of them. Apparently they're high-powered journalists of note - who are now working for AOL or the Daily Beast or some other Web site. I just don't understand how one becomes a Media Star or why we would name someone that?

They worked in New York? Or made more than $100K? Do I care more about their livelihood than I do my own or someone I know in the business? Not really. Perhaps it's my sense of fair play, but who cares? Those people generally have many more contacts than Jane Doe at the Carson City Caller-Times -- aside from those people generally having good contacts to get that job in the first place. Is that talent or good journalism? Not really. Mostly it's just who you know, right?

Well, apparently they also have friends in The Biz who write about them. So we get to know who's shopping a Mommy blog and who's heading to KitchenDaily.com! Yes, I'm underwhelmed as well.

Can You Be A Writer and Have a Part-Time Job?

Someone asked that once. Can you still be a writer and have a day job? Or a part-time job, or a temp job?

The answer: Of course! Times are tough and people need money. Few people totally rely on one source of income. Personally, I have a couple of permalance gigs, but I still teach writing and literature classes as an adjunct instructor. I think I'm only going to be teaching one class in fall, so I'm hoping to finish writing my book.

I've been noticing a few gigs on Craigslist about a part-time communications specialist or PR work. If my schedule was less irregular, I think I'd apply. I figure right now with our economy in the toilet, it's also a great opportunity to try something new.

I also figure all kinds of experience helps a creative mind. When you write your book, the more jobs you have, the more interesting your life!

Photo: Steve Rhodes

April Kind of Sprang Out of Nowhere!

I was writing the last post and then suddenly, it was April! Sorry about that. I'm on Spring Break, after a few months of teaching and God, I needed it. (Is that saying the Lord's name in vain? I've never been sure about that.)

I find that I'm getting most of my news from "The Daily Show," since I seem to have no patience for CNN or MSNBC. For whatever reason, I can watch Bloomberg all day, maybe because I yell at the CEOs and toadying research/credit rating companies on TV.

The Squaw Valley Community of Writers will be holding workshops in Squaw Valley this summer. I've been to the writing workshops and they are very, very good. The quality of work is mostly high and advice is always worthwhile. (It's also one of the cheaper retreats!) If you have a week in August, look into it! Deadline is May 10!