Part 2: Working for About, and beyond...

Has working for About influenced the way you work now?
I've learned a great deal about the Web through my experiences with About, but it's basically allowed me to find my own ways of doing things. More importantly, my income from About has allowed me to recently become self-employed on a full-time basis. I now don't even really consider doing anything that doesn't involve the Web.

That's a dream for many people, to be self-employed - you're lucky. Would you recommend working as a guide for About to others? What would you give them as advice before applying?
I've recommended About to many people. Several of them are now Guides. I always tell people to be sure they really want to create Web content and do a lot of writing and interacting with people through email, chat, and the Forums. Be sure they have a flexible schedule and are willing to work for at least a year with very little income, just as with any startup business, because that's what this is. Don't do it for the money!

Yes, if you do something just to make money it won't have the same results as if you do it because you enjoy it. What other interests do you have online besides classic films? Obviously, writing is one of them.
I have a Web site called Hardboiled Heaven on the topic of hardboiled crime and mystery fiction. (That was one topic I considered for About, but the editors didn't really think it would be strong enough to make a separate site from the Mystery site.) I enjoy playing card games online when I have time, and I participate in some football pools. I try to play Millionaire online when I get a chance, and have finished in the top ten in the Eastern/Central time zone three times. I use the Web for all kinds of day-to-day purposes, from researching things to buying assorted items to helping my kids with their homework.

Yes, and I'm sure you get lots of homework hints at the kids sites at About. What is your opinion of the other 700 or so guides working for About? Do you have any favorite sites there that you would recommend to friends or family?
I'm amazed at the quality and quantity of talent associated with About, and many Guides have become friends, many of whom I've never met in the flesh. I'm sure I haven't even scratched the surface of all the great information and resources available on About. But I'm constantly pointing people toward our sites, on a daily basis. Some of the sites I've just recently recommended or used myself have included Web Clip Art, ADD, Creative Writing for Teens, Board Games, HTML, Stocks, Day Trading, and Focus on Windows.

To finish, here's something a little different. If you could go back in time and work on the set of a classic film which one would it be? Why?
Interesting question. From what I've learned about the early days of filmmaking, I don't think I'd want to be a writer for any of the studios. The creative process was just too crazy. I'm more of a movie fan than somebody who wants to create films. I'd rather write the original novels and watch them made into films! In fact, I still have some hope that my detective novels, which were published in the late 70s, or my unpublished 60s novel, can someday be brought to the screen. Or even my musical, which I'm currently trying to find somebody to produce as a stage play.

Thanks Brad, it's nice to know what a friendly and diverse place About can be and to hear what it's like to work for this dynamic, content driven hotspot.