Wednesday, September 20, 2006

A Walk Down the Hall of Fame - An AW Chain Post

Well, it's once again my turn in the AbsoluteWrite Chain Post (this is their 6th Chain and the second one I participate in). Before me, Gillian was giving us her thoughts on how she regards fame and how much a part of it would she like.

Many people who look at the writing world from the outside believe that a writer is directly linked to the concepts of fame and fortune. They are used to watching these characters in movies, with their tweed jackets signing copies and drinking wine with hot editors. Most of us within the business have a more realistic view of things. Yes, writers also struggle to make ends meet, sometimes more dramatically than others. Let's face it, the world can only have so many Stephen Kings, J.K. Rowlins or Dan Browns. Of course I believe all aspiring writers (like me) want to get up there with them, but on our way we still need to worry about the bills and that horrible day job.

But the question is... do we really want to be up there with those names? Ok, sure we want, but... are we ready for it?

As I'm sure is the case with many of the peeps at AW, I love to get that comment, that email, that post saying "wow, I loved your story, you are really good". And when it comes from someone within the business, like an editor or another writer, it's a joyful moment. I want more, and more. But just how more can I handle? Am I ready to be recognized in the street by a housewife who will run up to me and ask me to sign her copy of my latest novel? Well, I'm sure the first few times I wouldn't mind at all. But what about when the number of housewives (or any other demographic, just using an example) increases? What happens the day I don't want to be recognized when I take a stroll down the street or run some errands at the grocer?

Someone once said "you are not truly famous until you have a stalker". A man once broke into Stephen King's house raving something about one of his titles. When he didn't find King, he terrorized his wife. Fortunately no one was hurt.

Do I want to be at this point of fame? Tough one. I sure want to be recognized, but I think what I want more is the credit, the pat on the back, more than the "groupies". I don't know about the rest of you but me, I'm afraid to say I'm not the most sociable person in the world, I'm actually very stuck to myself and to my few good friends (they know who they are =:) ). I'm also not good in crowds so I avoid them as much as I can. So, up to a certain point, I enjoy my peace and quiet. Jeopardizing it is not something I'm really ready for.

Does this mean I let that affect my dream of becoming a great horror writer? Not really. I do want the fame and fortune, it's the consequences I'm wary of. But then, another saying goes "never look at horse in the mouth". Whatever the future brings I hope I can embrace it, and above all, I hope I can enjoy it.

What about you? Are you ready for the consequences?

Maybe Cath at Curioser and Curioser will want to answer to this question. In any case, I know you won't want to miss what she has to say.

If you'd like to read the other posts in this 6th chain, here are the links:

TaliaMana

Peregrinas

IndianRaj

Just a Small Town Girl

A View From the Waterfront

Southern Expressions

Mad Scientist Matt

Organized Chaos

At Home, Writing

Writing From Within

Pass the Torch

BCOM

Fireflies in the Cloud

Sounds of Serenity

Kappa no He

Infinite Vanity

Gillian Polack

Of Chapters and Reels

Curiouser and curiouser

The Road Less Traveled

Livien


Enjoy!