Signed, Secrets in NY
May 23, 2009

I think there are quite a few people I know that are completely unaware of my secret want to be an advice writer (or advice radio/podcast host). I have had this interest since some time in grade school when I first saw a character in a kids show doing it.

I've been considering it this past year somewhat more in depth, particularly after I got a taste of co-hosting a podcast with the WOWCodex Podcast before we stopped recording them (we promised we'd only do it for fun, and it was starting to become work for the only one of us who really knew how to edit the whole thing together). In fact, it was this same old interest that decided my pursuit of a bachelor's in psychology and back in school. I knew if I wanted to do anything satisfying, besides freelance writing, I was going to need to go back for a higher degree. I also thought, if ever I do begin advice writing or podcasting, regardless of whether or not I receive money for it, I would like to have a continuing education in psychology; any readers I would get deserved it. Then, there was also the fact that, even if I never get around to advice writing/podcasting I can always pursue another career interest I've had, that of a counseling therapist.

Off and on, as I pursue my degree, I have worked on this idea on paper, thought of how I would like to get started, what I need to do, and seeking advice on technical matters here and there.

I know it will definitely start out as a free service, perhaps indefinitely. Providing this service stands to give me some decent, relevant experience that I can accumulate while getting my degree. It may give me an edge on my resumé. Maybe I'll get lucky and be hired on as an advice columnist somewhere! There is also the thought that, depending on how popular it became, I may try to make money with it. However, I see it as being a free service so long as it continues.

I want to start a step at a time, get a real email address, get a domain specifically for it, maybe hire someone (if I can afford it) to set me up so all I have to do is make small personalizations and alterations to the design code and enter updates and whatnot. Perhaps I will create a forum set to go along with this.

I will have to begin putting the link out there to get it noticed. In the meantime, I can write general advice articles in random areas so readers at least have something to look at and draw them in.

Once the website is fully underway and I either have someone to edit audio recordings, or learn how to do a decent job at it myself, I may start a podcast in which I (and maybe a cohost or two) discuss topics people often seek advice on. This may start with the availability to take callers, but include fillers in until listeners actually start calling in.

Lots to think about.

However, I think I want to start off very small, like maybe with a simple website page, perhaps even another section of these webpages. Heck, maybe I'll begin building this on Intimacy or convert the poorly updated Chorus page into a page designed to inspire wellness and peace of mind to others, discussing topics that could help improve the Chorus of our souls and minds or something along those lines. I may not even need to completely change Chorus, but simply begin including posts about various areas of mental health, which I believe will only improve the spirit.

Of course, once I begin conducting anything like an interactive business, however free it may be, it will be through proper channels on a different website, but you can be sure I would link to it here should that day occur.