Sometimes people ask impossible questions. Such as, if you could only be one kind, which kind of writer would you be: the kind who writes really “great” (I think that means Literary), critically acclaimed books, or the kind that makes grundles of money?
Are we just maybe asking the wrong question? Because who would be unsatisfied with either of those? Aren’t they both pretty much defined as “successful”?
If you (or I) wrote a “classic” sort of book, one that lived much longer than the writer, one studied for generations and decades, well, that would be pretty successful, right? But it wouldn’t really feel like it if you never made a dime. (Trust me on this one.) Winning awards might be great for the old self-esteem, but it doesn’t feed the bulldog.
On the other hand, if you (or I) wrote the most popular book of recent history, would there be a little voice in the back of your head (like there would be in mine) saying, “I’m a hack”?
So what’s the point? (Hey. Are you new here? Since when does there need to be a point?) Okay, Point? Which would I rather be? I’d have to say that I’d rather love the words I write. See how I dodged that? Even if I’m a commercial hack, if I still make myself laugh, I’d feel like a success. Or if I never sold copies of my books, but I still looked into pages and smiled, I’d be proud.
And you?
(10) Comments for this blog
I’ll say what my usual response is to this: I’d just like to have my words read and to have meant something to someone else. That’s all. That’s success for me.
I’ll say what my usual response is to this: I’d just like to have my words read and to have meant something to someone else. That’s all. That’s success for me.
I want to love the words I write but I want others to love them too. Isn’t that what we all want? And hey, it would be nice if so many people loved those words that we made a million bucks off of them. I thought your words in MRRO were lovely, by the way.
I want to love the words I write but I want others to love them too. Isn’t that what we all want? And hey, it would be nice if so many people loved those words that we made a million bucks off of them. I thought your words in MRRO were lovely, by the way.
Um… I have no doubt that people would find something to criticize in my books no matter what, so I’ll take the cash. And I’d feel just fine about it.
Um… I have no doubt that people would find something to criticize in my books no matter what, so I’ll take the cash. And I’d feel just fine about it.
Everyone said it just as good as I would. I want to be read, liked, but may not be liked. It’s okay. As long as I’m doing what I want to be doing. =)
Everyone said it just as good as I would. I want to be read, liked, but may not be liked. It’s okay. As long as I’m doing what I want to be doing. =)
Heck, at this point I just want to finish writing a book. Trying not to think that far ahead just yet.
But if I did I’d probably feel the same as you.
Heck, at this point I just want to finish writing a book. Trying not to think that far ahead just yet.
But if I did I’d probably feel the same as you.