When Comedy and Game Design Combine: Meet the Writer PhilFTW, Uncomfortable Interviewee

So let’s start! Tell us a bit about yourself. For example, name, profession, and personal interests.

Hi! I’m PhilFTW. I have a day job in advertising but I freelance as a writer, illustrator, and game designer. The FTW actually stands for From The Warehouse but For The Win works too I guess.

Interesting! What was your latest Hackernoon Top story about?

My first story was about the future of storytelling in video games, specifically tied to The Sandbox, blockchain gaming, and the simplified tools creators can use to bring their experiences to life.

Do you usually write on similar topics? If not, what do you usually write about?

I’m normally a comedy writer (Weekly World News, Chex Quest, The Sandbox) so this was a little more serious than I was used to.

Great! What is your usual writing routine like (if you have one?)

I’m an adult living with ADHD which means procrastination and panic are key inputs in my process. I’m always taking notes as ideas or jokes pop into my head but I tend to wait until the last minute to binge write my actual content or deliverables. It’s common for me to not start until the day before (or even minutes before) I have to pitch my ideas. It’s probably really unhealthy but the pressure tends to push me into better ideas than if I have the time to overthink them.

Being a writer in tech can be a challenge. It’s not often our main role, but an addition to another one. What is the biggest challenge you have when it comes to writing?

Apparently it’s not reading ahead so I don’t answer questions before they are asked. See my answer above for my biggest challenge. The other issue I have is impostor syndrome. How much success or accreditation is required before I feel like I deserve to have a voice on these topics? I know I’ve not hit that threshold yet. Good thing “fake it till you make it” is a livable mantra.

What is the next thing you hope to achieve in your career?

The goal has always been to replace the day job with freelance art/writing and not have to live off ramen noodles. My tapeworm is a picky eater.

Wow, that’s admirable. Now, something more casual: What is your guilty pleasure of choice?

Wait, feeding a parasite is admirable? I don’t think you’re actually reading my responses! What’s going on here? Is this one of those template form bios? I promised my wife I wouldn’t get roped into one of these again….

Do you have a non-tech-related hobby? If yes, what is it?

Writing bios that I know will make me feel like a dumbass for trying to be clever when I reread them weeks later.

What can the Hacker Noon community expect to read from you next?

I’m working on a way to use “barf” in a headline and get paid for it.

Thanks for taking time to join our “Meet the writer” series. It was a pleasure. Do you have any closing words?

I like shut, slam, latch and fasten personally but there are a bunch of them out there you could use.