You've read about dad bods, Chaco tans and over-sized sorority shirts, but have you ever wondered what it's like being the one creating those articles?
I like to think there are three different possible outcomes when writing for The Odyssey: 1) having a thought that turns into the week's most-shared article, 2) producing some sort of list that a few people found funny or 3) not coming up with anything at all.
I think the best way to describe the writing process is through Harry Potter GIFs, because when is Harry not appropriate?
So, first you sit down, and it's like the world is your oyster. You have like at least 10 super-funny and interesting things to say.
Then you start writing, and you realize your interesting thought was just thatāa simple thought that doesn't exactly say much. In fact, even the first sentence lacks talent and substance.
No big deal! You have plenty of ideas, even if they're hidden deep in your Horcrux. So you start typing, and you realize, someone else did something similar last week. Something about sophomore year? No, did that two weeks ago. Why I love my Greek letters? No, overdone.
So you ask you friends what content they like reading ...
... and they're totally no help. Come on guys...
So, you think GIFs. Everyone loves GIFs. You search for Amy Poehler, Mean Girls and probably "The Office." You sort through the animations, and nothing really inspires you. To be honest, the process is getting a bit ...
Until you get totally side-tracked and come across this gem on BuzzFeed:
Okay, that was effing hilarious, but it's time to get serious.
You might even need to visit Gringotts, where you store your Galleons and good ideas.
(Of great ideas.)
You start to think about things you're passionate about: school pride, Pinterest, world peace, food and finally it hits you. You freaking love writing and need everyone to know how awesome it is to exercise creative freedom. That is it, you will write about writing.
Before you know it, you have 500 words.
You proofread the entire thing, make sure your jokes are relatable, and you start getting slightly nervous.
You really want people to enjoy your writing but you're totally aware that reactions will vary. You don't want the world thinking...
But in the end all you really need is one person's approval.
Duh.
So the writing process is over, and you're feeling confident. Maybe you should have been nicer to your editor and turned it well before midnight, but you think she'll be happy with what you've got.
The week goes by and you get the group text from said editor, and it turns out page views were up by thousands this month!!
So while you were worried no one would find you interesting or funny, it turns out The Odyssey has one incredible team of writers.
