Game/Plot Writing - Feasible?

#1 It really depends on the project. For my current project I have a dozen "way to go" or "keep up the good work" messages so I wrote them myself. For an RPG or story-heavy game, I can definately see outsourcing to a seasoned professional as an option. But, as you say, indies are small outfits and writing may not be in the budget. I'd suggest posting some samples of your work, a dialogue, a quest outline, something to show off your skills, entice people who may not have set aside a budget to look at hiring a writer.

#2 Keep an eye on the job postings from time-to-time. There is a post every once-in-while:

www.garagegames.com/index.php?sec=mg&mod=project&page=view.job&qid=6595

I'm not certain there's fulltime work out there in the indie scene for just a writer, but it's certainly a resume-builder for working your way into a pro shop.

If you pick up a few other game dev skillsets then finding a life in the indie scene will be much easier, as most indies are small outfits and everyone wears multiple hats.

#3 @Nikos: Yeah, that's pretty much how I imagined it to be. Writing samples would make a lot of sense. At the moment, my work has been sports journalism with no formal training. I've had several articles published, but interviewing a sportsman or writing an opinion piece on the state of the game is quite different to what people are likely to be looking for. In other words, I should get cracking and come up with some game dev-friendly samples. ;)

@Brian: I saw that job three days ago and sent off my resume immediately. I wasn't expecting to live off writing, (unless I get a journalism job outside of game dev), but getting some money or even just adding to the resume would be great. I confess to never having written for games, but I'd never done sports journalism before, and I've won online awards for my writing despite having no formal training. I actually started game dev as a programmer, and I still intend to make games when I'm not at my regular job, but getting paid for writing, (whether that is financially or just experientially), would be a great personal achievement and something to fondly look back on in years to come. :)

#4 You might be able to ply your trade as an editor if you are very good with grammar and contextualization.

#5 @David: Thanks. Incidentally, grammar is one of my greatest strengths. I haven't seen any roles for editors at any game developers. What would you suggest should be my first method of approach, short of contacting ever known development house out of the blue and sending them my CV when they might not even be hiring?

#6 Hey David, your topic came up on slashdot today. Lots of good feedback:
games.slashdot.org/games/08/11/25/0046222.shtml

#7 @Brian: Thanks so much for that! Plenty of food for thought in that discussion. :)