I'm a lawyer at a company that employs a LOT of creative people, so it was no surprise to me that one of our employees writes novels. He writes "adult" novels (by which I means, books for adults, not dirty books), and he's got an agent and had a couple published, and gotten some good reviews, and rumor has it that they made a movie of one of his books a while back, although I can neither confirm or deny that rumor.
And, according to friends of friends, he's unhappy. He doesn't like the way his writing career is going. He was hoping for more. I don't know what more, because that's not something that you can really ask someone, like--"hey, so describe the ways in which you're unhappy with your writing career"--but I imagine it's the typical writer stuff: fame, fortune, the respect of people of letters.
But it's funny, because, um...he HAS the things I dream about. An agent. More than one book published. Books you can buy in, like, Borders, or on Amazon. Good reviews! And it's a disappointment for him.
I guess this is just a reminder that, no matter where you are, someone will envy you. In the event that I do get an agent and a book deal and good reviews (dream a little dream, right?), I will try to remember that there are people out there who wish they were in my shoes.
And, according to friends of friends, he's unhappy. He doesn't like the way his writing career is going. He was hoping for more. I don't know what more, because that's not something that you can really ask someone, like--"hey, so describe the ways in which you're unhappy with your writing career"--but I imagine it's the typical writer stuff: fame, fortune, the respect of people of letters.
But it's funny, because, um...he HAS the things I dream about. An agent. More than one book published. Books you can buy in, like, Borders, or on Amazon. Good reviews! And it's a disappointment for him.
I guess this is just a reminder that, no matter where you are, someone will envy you. In the event that I do get an agent and a book deal and good reviews (dream a little dream, right?), I will try to remember that there are people out there who wish they were in my shoes.
Comments
I suppose there are any number of reasons why a person like the fellow you describe might not be happy with his writing career. Perhaps he expected more money, more fame, more recognition, who knows? Perhaps he expected that he would write better books! Perhaps he's out of ideas; it certainly is hard work writing books, no doubt about it.
We'll remember this post when you start whining about your latest book tour and how you have to figure out a way to keep track of all your money. Poor Jay.
My wife's grandmother said that the key to happiness is to "want less." Sounds kind of simple and stupid but there's some truth to that. Happiness is all about what you want. Some people want way too much and no amount of fame or fortune would make them happy. Over the years, I've also come to realize, some people just aren't happy. It's like they're missing the happiness gene or something. You could give them everything they want and they would still find something to whine about.
How about you, are you happy? Sure, your life has taken its share of detours and maybe you're not exactly where you want to be at this very moment, but when you really get down to it, are you happy? Inquiring minds want to know.
Perhaps I'm generalizing on a grand scale--I don't know--but I'm happy, and that's what counts.
Are you quoting Springsteen at me? That sounds a bit mainstream for you, hee hee.
I believe with all my heart that f you can't be happy not published, you won't be happy published.
Writing: just like dating, except getting paid for it doesn't make you a felon. :)