…or so says this article bemoaning the fact that my generation (those born in 1978 or after) are just are too lazy to be good attorneys. Apparently, we care more about our personal lives than the firms, and just aren’t willing to sign those prerequisite blood oaths that require we roast the apples of our youth for the sake of money, partnership, and power.
Alas. ‘Tis a mighty sin.
As you might be able to tell, I am not terribly sympathetic to the plight of the old partners who see these whippersnappers moving in with their dreams of happiness and security. Sure, behaving as though one is entitled to an easy life is unprofessional, immature, and downright unattractive – but new associates are expected to be the uber-educated professional slaves of large law firms, and while it can be sucessfully argued that they should be absolutely grateful the education and the opportunity, there is also something to be said for knowing when to draw the line in your life, and not take the job more seriously than your health or family. You know what profession has the highest suicide rate and incidence of drug and alcohol abuse? Lawyers. Trust me, there’s a good reason for that.
Oh, and I have a question about last night’s episode of Lost.
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On Writing:
I found a nice little article from the Crimson Ink blog on staying motivated as a writer. Simple words, but very true.
CrankyWriter has posted a tiny note on the importance of being fearless in one’s writing. Or, as Joseph Campbell likes to say, you need to cut off your head and just pour yourself out on the page. Don’t worry about revising, don’t hold yourself back, don’t think. Just feel.
Feel yourself on that page, in all your beautiful (or disgusting) glory. Don’t hold yourself back, don’t punish your story with half-truths or lies. You can’t lie to yourself when you tell a story. If you do, it will come out sounding false. Tell the truth as you feel it, and your readers will hear it sing.