First of all, your story on your son playing GTA was a great read. I remember seeing it in Gamepro as well and recalled how I first read it on bitmob long before was published.

My specific circumstances come from my parents bugging me to consider enrolling into a school again and learning a real "money making" job. So yeah, I have a "Bachelor's" in journalism, and my mom would've preferred me graduating in law or pharmacy.

Well, regardless of what really earns money or not, I chose a career in writing because I like making something people will genuinely enjoy to read and I hate math. Even if I look into vocational college to become a computer technician, even then I'll continue to (try) write. I don't care what I write about. I love video games and grew up with them and would love a job within this business, but as someone looking for a job, I'm not going to be picky.

But as for how I'd respond to such a criticism? Well first, millions are being spent on video games. I'm not gonna scoff at something that PR is constantly trying to break into. Second, the magazine racks are filled with all sorts of subjects. If it's written well and people read it, then what does your casual opinion matter? "Published literature about handwoven baskets surely you jest."

I always have people turning their nose up at things I'd like to do, and do.

University? Looked down by my mother's side of the family (I'm the first generation to go to University on that side) as I wasn't getting a job.

When I spent hours making my Metal Gear Solid fansite in 2003? Looked down on. Well, until it became the world's biggest MGS fansite, and I was taking more money from ad revenue than my parents were paying me in pocket money...

When I started writing fiction, I also took a bit of flak. "It's not a real job!" some people said to me.

My thoughts: Like their opinions count. Do whatever the hell you want. What you do is only valued by the people who appreciate that sort of thing. If you write a good games article and gamers love it, then they're the ones who matter. Similarly, if I write a good piece of fiction then I care what readers and other writers think, not what some twat Facebook buddy who works in Tesco thinks. Some smarmy tosspot on Facebook who probably needs more validation in his life than you do is hardly worth replying to, let alone being concerned about. Don't sweat it.

Oh, and one last thing. I read your GTA piece on here (sadly, GamePro isn't readily available on this side of the pond) and loved it. Congrats on getting it in print!

Thank you for the kind words guys. And thank you so much for sharing your experiences.

These could help out my brother-in-law right now. He recently graduated from high school and all his aspirations keep getting shot down by his disapproving dad. I told him he should follow through with his goals but he doesn't want to go against his fathers word. Hopefully your comments will help and inspire him to continue on the path he wants to travel.

I am by no means ashamed of my career in writing about games. But I find myself constantly explaining myself more sheepishly than I intend. I'm immensely proud of my job, but when someone asks what I do, it's a triumphant 'I AM A FREELANCE WRITER" followed by "ahem video games" when he/she inevitably asks "about what?"

More often than not, people are interested, which is why I don't understand the dumbstruck feeling that washes over me. I always assume people will laugh in my face. It's yet to happen.

I have a similar situation with my close friends who get upset when I tell them Iu have no time, because I'm writing. Countless ridiculous arguments have passed telling me to 'grow up' or find a 'real' pastime or job and so on and so forth. I find it ridiculous people can impoise their belief of acceptable behaviour upon others and look down on others who don't adhere to it. I'm sure they wouldn't apreciate a similar judgement.

You may not care what others say but it seems that doesn't stop you from qqing about it. Want to be taken seriously? Don't get so offended. 

Hold your head high man.  Gamepro is an awesome magazine right now and I would LOVE to be published in their pages.  Most people who will put you down, don't have a clue what it actually takes to write for ANYTHING let alone video games.  So just keep on keeping on!

When I wrote reviews for the newspaper where I used to work, there was always that scorn, that somehow I was discrediting myself as a professional by lowering myself to reviewing video games. But I never gave it a second thought, because I loved communicating to readers how I experienced a game. I took my writing very seriously, never letting the reviews turn into thoughtless pieces thrown together just to get free games and a byline. Unfortunately, the newspaper decided to eliminate this coverage, even though it didn't cost them a dime because the reviews were something I did on my own time, in addition to my regular duties.

But for every person who looked down on my reviewing games, there were more who thought I was extremely lucky to land such a gig. After more than a decade in the business, I love those five years I spent covering games the most. As they say, "Haters always be hatin', so don't keep 'em waitin'." (People really don't say this; I just wanted to end with something really supportive — keep up the good work!)

Congrats on the GamePro publication. One of the things on my checklist of things I want to accomplish as a gaming journalist is to have something I wrote printed. That's really badass

For the dude that was hatin. He obviously doesn't realize how many billions of dollars each year go into the gaming industry. The economy sucks right now, but games are selling way better than music and they cost 6x as much.

Personally I feed off of haters. Remember if you have haters you are doing something right.