Learning on the job has its ups and downs. On the plus side, it makes me love learning again. I feel like I'm getting things done and making magic happen. On the other hand, I hate looking like an idiot, especially when someone asks me to improvise a solution or try something they falsely assume I know how to do just because of my degree.

I've been slowly picking up the ropes of proper web development while working for my alma mater and once again, I've discovered that, like creative writing, my biggest problem is pacing. I don't learn well in a lecture environment. I can't concentrate on someone yammering on and on for hours on end, even if the subject interests me. Instead I learn best when I am able to freely roam through software and functional code, learning by example and figuring out what does and doesn't work on my own. I've found my retention rate to be much higher when I'm allowed to tinker on my own than with someone looking over my shoulder.

In the same way, when I'm saturated with ideas and throwing scraps left and right, I feel like I get more story written than when I sit down with the intent to forcibly churn out story. Unfortunately, as the FiMFiction.net writing contest flop proved to me, I can't always count on inspiration to hit me when I need it.

In the next week or so, I'm going to attempt to get back into RPs after forcibly freezing them for the contest. Hopefully, that will get the creative juices flowing again and put be back in the swing of things. Hopefully.