I've got a good feeling about this

Not counting teaching stuff, I just applied for my first post-graduate job, and I think I've got a shot: "Ion Storm, a game development studio in Austin, TX, is looking for a creative writer to work on a sci-fi action/adventure video game. " Hell, yes.

I thought it was a hilarious proposition when I first saw the ad in the Chronicle, but seriously, given my comp. sci. background, I think I've got a leg up. I even polished up a couple old Trimble papers and one of my thesis essays to serve as my creative writing samples. I was actually quite pleased with how the whole application shaped up. Check out the job description:

The writer will be an integral member of the writing staff and design team. The writer's primary responsibility will be to work with the Lead Writer and Lead Designer to bring the game's vision to life. Writing tasks will include one-liners for NPCs, excerpts from fictional books and news stories, and scripts for interactive conversations.

Qualifications:
· Passion for interactive computer/video games. Capacity to think creatively about gameplay-responsive story elements.
· Solid creative-writing skills, esp. with regard to voice and dialogue.
· Ability to understand and follow technical specifications during the generation of content. (e.g. use a subset of HTML to format a document.)
· Familiarity with scripting and/or programming a big plus (e.g. HTML, C, C++, UnrealScript).
· Interest in science fiction and/or spy fiction a plus.
· Familiarity with 3D level-editing tools a plus.
· Excellent communication (writing, reading, listening, and speaking) skills.
· Demonstrable commitment to creative collaboration.

If I get hired, Danny said he's going to try his damndest to get his boss to pull some strings and land him a job at Ionstorm, too. How fucking sweet would that be?