Writing as a craft
For Lee, writing is a way of survival in a big city that he doesn't have connections in. He is alone in Toronto, for the most part, so his willingness to write and write well ends up being a central theme in the work, and the additional nuances of journalistic writing help to hone the tone. His job is simply to look at the world, observe it correctly, and report his experience skillfully. He sees writing for its ability to help him earn money, not just as a romantic idea.
Clout and reputation
The novel features a kind of femme fatale, a woman who doesn't find Lee attractive, but they do live together, so they're friendly, but Lee has to tow that line carefully, because after all, she is out of his league. In many ways, his entire journey in Toronto is an attempt to establish his clout by working and succeeding at something. By the end, his modest reputation is growing, and he begins to earn respect from his community.
Fulfillment and adventure
Although Lee doesn't answer his existential problems by becoming a reporter, he does learn about his competence. By accepting the call of adventure to go try and establish himself in Toronto, he also puts himself on a path of either success or failure, and so when he succeeds, he feels fulfilled, and the tone is set for an adventurous career in journalism. By loving the accomplishment of his work, he begins to feel less anxious in general.
