Even though I already have another blog ready to roll, I thought I'd play favorites and throw this one in first because I'm excited. About a week ago I started facing my fears and job searching (just a warm up on craigslist, nothing intense). I found a few writing jobs in San Diego, Denver and from home (ideal). Some were for freelancers, bloggers and editors (which I forgot, I have experience in! And now I know English better than ever).

I got two replies. One from a local paper on Keystone, Colorado which said that there were no open paying jobs right now but volunteers are welcome and that can often lead to a paid position (don't know if I'll stay long enough to get that far, but it'd be good experience and kinda fun to do something different while I make expressos or wait tables to pay bills).

The other reply was a guy from Denver who is starting a magazine similar to San Diego or Los Angeles with a range of freelance stuff like restaurant reviews, health articles and local events. He said they're just starting up, need some editors but can't pay at the moment. I explained that I'm not even in the country, but am happy to help and get the experience and see where it goes. After he sent me an article to edit, I marked it up and sent it back and his reply was this:

"Wow, that was ... Exactly what I want, thanks Kristina!

Well, we can definitely use you. How about this funky idea, do you want to be the Managing Editor? Just basically copy edit and oversee the other column editors and freelancers- make sure everyone makes deadline and are on the same page. Do you think you'd have the time? (or desire)

I can handle the Editor in Chief stuff now but will need help as the publication grows .... (nobody wants to work for free anymore!).

I'm not sure what your plans are when you get to Colorado or if you are going back to San Diego, but I figure you probably can handle everything through email. Of course, when things get going, I would most definitely pay you the big bucks : )

Let me know what you think. If it doesn't work, just the copyediting would be perfect."

It's not a full time job with benefits and paid vacation but it's a tiny little step to something that might become something else (and a cool title!) Even if it's only a resume-booster, I can live with that.

I have no idea if I want to live in Colorado more than a few winter months, I love San Diego too much. But no matter where I live, hopefully this variety of experience will help me. It can help me improve my own writing and also figure out what I really want to do for work. I think every experience helps me do that. Like teaching, for example, I really enjoy it. Selling crap made in China, not so much. So who knows what will come of it, but at least for the next few months I'm testing some different waters... Now I just need to figure out how to pay the bills :-).