Do you want to be a famous bestselling author?

[HikariDawn]

Do you want to be a famous, best selling author? Do you want fans? You want your book to be a movie?

Why or why not?

[Bufty]

I would simply like my story to be published and read by those for whom I wrote it.

After that - Que sera, sera.

[scarletpeaches]

I vote yes. Dream big. I want money, fame, adoration, groupies, the lot.

Why settle for less?

[Samantha's_Song]

Yes, of course.
Do you want to be a famous, best selling author?


I want people to buy and like my novels, if ever I'm published, but I don't want adoring fans, stalkers, and people who are going to invade my space.
Do you want fans?


Yes, and I even know whom I want to play the male lead.
You want your book to be a movie?


Because I'd like to prove to myself that I can do something worthwhile with my life and my writing. Because I could live the kind of life I've been dreaming about for many years; what I want is quite simple, but hard to get with my present situation. I want a small place in Paris and to be able to sit outside of Parisian cafés in the afternoons and write on my laptop as I watch the world going by.
Why?

[Wayne K]

I'm doing this because beneath this rough exterior, I just want to be loved.

[aka eraser]

I have fans. At least seven or eight (not counting family). That's plenty. More would be embarrassing.

:)

[Williebee]

The poll doesn't match the question.

Fans, sure. But can I have one without the other? I don't care about the fame.

[icerose]

I'd love to become a best-selling author, I'm also a screenwriter so of course I'd like to see my works in movie form as well, I would love to have the movie not so I can have a bunch of stuff but so I can help out when family needs me, so I can travel and see new things, and not worry about bills.

I would love to have my name known and have people clawing for my books, I do not, however, want to be famous in the hollywood sense where the cameras follow me around and crazed fans and such. I want my life to be relatively quiet with little outside interference. I want them to love my work and actively seek my work, but not actively seek me.

[Bubastes]

Yes to the bestseller and the movie (I want the $$$!). No to the fame. I want people to know my stories, not me. That's one nice thing about being a writer: people may recognize your name, but for the most part they won't recognize your face.

[williemeikle]

I vote yes. Dream big. I want money, fame, adoration, groupies, the lot.

Why settle for less?

Everything except the groupies... my wife would kill me before I could enjoy the rest of the spoils :)

[firedrake]

Do you want to be a famous, best selling author? Do you want fans? You want your book to be a movie?

Why or why not?


I'd love to be a famous, best selling author.

As for fans, I doubt my stuff would attract the type of fans that certain authors who write books about girls falling in love with vampires, have. . But, if they're fans who just like to wait for the next book to come out then, yup, I can live with that.

It's not really movie material, more of a BBC series. Like Samantha's Song, I know who I'd love to play the lead and I'd love Russell T Davies write the script.:D

[Samantha's_Song]

AW, I'm sure loads of people love you, Wayne :Hug2:

I'm doing this because beneath this rough exterior, I just want to be loved.

[Siddow]

I want to be invited to sing with the Rock Bottom Remainders. That'd be teh coolest.

[Rarri]

I would love to have my name known and have people clawing for my books, I do not, however, want to be famous in the hollywood sense where the cameras follow me around and crazed fans and such. I want my life to be relatively quiet with little outside interference. I want them to love my work and actively seek my work, but not actively seek me.

Similar notion here. We're quite a private family and so i'd love to be successful but be able to carry on living in our little town without anyone being any the wiser.

[Toothpaste]

Yes.

[SomeoneElse]

I'm not so interested in fans. What I would like is a publisher and perhaps a reader or two. Maybe a dozen, even.

But fans? Not so much.

[stormie]

Famous best selling authors usually have to churn out at least a book a year. And there's the pressure that each book has to be up to par. I can't handle pressure. I'd just like for my book(s) to sell well enough for me to make some money.

[Judg]

Of course I want to be a bestselling author. Why wouldn't I?

I want fans, if by that you mean people who will snap up my latest book as soon as it comes out and tell all their friends to buy it. But I have no particular desire to be famous. They can feel quite free to leave my picture off the cover. I could handle having the occasional person come up to me and say, "Aren't you so-and-so?" but as a daily lifestyle it would be a real drag.

But first things first. Getting an agent would be a good first step.

[scarletpeaches]

I wouldn't call that pressure at all.

When it comes to speed, one book a year would be a piece of piss. I could write that in a couple of months.

When it comes to quality of said books - I don't believe in writer's block. The only way to improve is to write, and I work well against a deadline. If what I wrote at first wasn't up to scratch, I'd correct it quick smart. I'm not one for angsting over a sentence for months on end. "Gerronwi' gerrin' it writ!" as someone once said. ;)

The only reason I take to long to finish things these days is I don't have a deadline and so have no immediate, pressing need to get to 'the end' beyond my own desire to finish.

[Ken]

...not much point in wanting what can't be.
So in answer to the OP, no.
I do want to have a novel published, one day, though.
Even if it only sells three copies I'd still be ---> :-)

[Smish]

I want to be able to quit my day job, and have a career I love. Even that's asking a lot, though :)

[Judg]

*laughs at SP's Hitler smiley*

Quick is only good if the result is publishable.

[scarletpeaches]

And slow is not necessarily better.http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii53/doriangrayspictures/Hitler.jpg

[Judg]

LOL! True. Slow is only good if the result is brilliant.

[Bubastes]

I want to be invited to sing with the Rock Bottom Remainders. That'd be teh coolest.

Being invited to join The Rock Bottom Remainders is my ultimate writing dream. Srsly.

[Samantha's_Song]

Me too. If I were on a deadline, I'd spend a lot less time on AW and FaceBook, the latter not being a bad thing :D

The only reason I take to long to finish things these days is I don't have a deadline and so have no immediate, pressing need to get to 'the end' beyond my own desire to finish.

[CanadianGirl]

Absolutely to all of the questions. If not for the recognition, the feeling of having accomplished something worthwhile with my writing works, being able to help out our 5 grown children when they need it and being able to travel with the $$ I'd bring in to enhance our lifestyle, then I'm not sure why I'd be plunking my butt in the chair in front of my computer for hours on end, day after day - oh, wait, I think it may also be because a little voice in the back of my head tells me this is what I'm supposed to be doing at this stage of my life. :)

[tehuti88]

Do you want to be a famous, best selling author? Do you want fans? You want your book to be a movie?

Why or why not?

Yes, because I want something I do to matter to somebody besides myself. I want to connect to somebody through what I love.

If "fame" ends up meaning just one person really loves my work enough to connect to me through it, and the connection lasts, then that will do.

Haven't really had that happen yet though. :(

[Soccer Mom]

Yes to the bestseller and the movie (I want the $$$!). No to the fame. I want people to know my stories, not me. That's one nice thing about being a writer: people may recognize your name, but for the most part they won't recognize your face.

Ditto this.

[StoryG27]

Do you want to be a famous, best selling author? Do you want fans? You want your book to be a movie?

Why or why not?
Yes. Yes. Yes. A movie would be cool, so sure.

Because I like to daydream, and if I'm to truly entertain myself in those dreams, I gotta dream big. However, just getting published and doing fairly well would be nice.

[dwellerofthedeep]

I want it all - Queen.

Yes, I'd even like fame, I think, but it is only a guess.

[IdiotsRUs]

I wouldn't mind being a faceless bestselling author :D You know, everyone knows the name, no one knows what you look like.

Yes I want fans. Not ones that stalk me though.

Yes I'd love to see a film, if only so I can dribble over the hot men on set :D

[scarletpeaches]

I wouldn't mind being a faceless bestselling author :D You know, everyone knows the name, no one knows what you look like.

Yes I want fans. Not ones that stalk me though.

Yes I'd love to see a film, if only so I can dribble over the hot men on set :D

You ought to be ashamed of yourself. :rolleyes:

[IdiotsRUs]

You ought to be ashamed of yourself. :rolleyes:


I'm getting Colin in just to pee you off :D

He can play the dude who gets murdered in the first five minutes.

[Samantha's_Song]

Pot and kettle springs to mind :D

You ought to be ashamed of yourself. :rolleyes:

[scarletpeaches]

I'm getting Colin in just to pee you off :D

He can play the dude who gets murdered in the first five minutes.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! :eek:

Not my darling Colin!!!!!!!!!!

(Ooh, now look what you made me do - I went all multiple exclamation mark on you).

[Ms Hollands]

I want to be a best-selling author, but I don't want fame. I'd be happy if nobody ever knew who I was and I guess that's why I'm be using a pen name for all my written material now. I don't *expect* the fame, but I'm planning for it just in case. :O)

[Ol' Fashioned Girl]

Just gimme the money, honey. Keep the fame.

[BlueLucario]

My answer to your question: I don't really care.

[Wayne K]

I disagree with a lot of you. If the world found me interesting enough to make me famous I'd love it. A-list, beautiful people, all that, there's a reason people sell themselves out for it. I'd love to do it as a great writer. People are fascinated by famous writers, and I'll admit that I'd be turned on by that.

[KTC]

no. i don't like people.

[willietheshakes]

Me too. If I were on a deadline, I'd spend a lot less time on AW and FaceBook, the latter not being a bad thing :D

It might be comforting to believe that now.

It might not actually pan out, though... :)

[scarletpeaches]

no. i don't like people.

We all hate you too.

[Susie]

I don't need fans or fame, but I would love the money.

[nevada]

Yes, i want to be published and famous and rich and write the screenplay to my movie and win an oscar for it (I'll settle for a golden globe) and I want to be invited to the A-list parties. and and and. lol I want george strombolopolous to interview me on The Hour. I want to meet Leonard Cohen.

I'm shallow. I don't write in the hopes of just one person connecting to it. Nope. I write in the hopes of masses of people buying my book. :D

(first I have to write it but that's a minor technicality I'm working on right now.;) )

[indiriverflow]

Well, without readers, the whole endeavor seems rather pointless, but huge numbers don't mean as much to me as "nailing it" for those relatively few who appreciate what I attempt to do with language.

As far as professional goals, my highest aspiration is a multi-book contract. I don't suppose that is possible without causing a bit of a sensation.

But the payoff is definitely not in the stroking my of vanity, nor a fat bank account. I can and have spent every penny I have to finish a book with virtually no commercial potential. A contract would help justify this to my very patient and supportive spouse, who is working a retail job while I fool around on this forum and push the plot forward.

If I want to write for money, I'll freelance as I did last year. Novels aren't even about love, for me; they are a compulsion.

As I woefully declaimed during my last meltdown (two days ago), if I quit chasing after this quaint dream now, some 1200 pages have been written in vain.

[NYCutie]

Yes I'd like it all.... especially the fans and stalkers lol... no seriously i'd love to make a lot of money doing something im happy doing... besides i'd like to prove a few people wrong that have told me its just a hobby nothing else....

[scarletpeaches]

Yes, i want to be published and famous and rich and write the screenplay to my movie and win an oscar for it (I'll settle for a golden globe) and I want to be invited to the A-list parties. and and and. lol I want george strombolopolous to interview me on The Hour. I want to meet Leonard Cohen.

I'm shallow. I don't write in the hopes of just one person connecting to it. Nope. I write in the hopes of masses of people buying my book. :D

(first I have to write it but that's a minor technicality I'm working on right now.;) )

Yup.

I hate agreeing with you.

I just write so I can earn money and get laid.

[nevada]

stop agreeing with me. it's really freaking me out.

I hadn't even thought about the getting laid bit. bonus!

[scarletpeaches]

That all comes as part of the "Yeah you can make my book into a movie as long as I get to audition you on the casting couch Mr Farrell," plan I'm devising. ;)

[illiterwrite]

Yes, yes! Though I would prefer my fans to be of the non-creepy, non-stalking sort (I have one of those right now who is still in the "weird but harmless" camp but quickly escalating into the creepier version).

[Cranky]

Do I want to be a famous, best-selling writer? I'm ambivalent about it for a number of reasons.

Do I want fans? Absolutely, I do. Or at least, people that like what I read and look for new stuff. That'd be pretty awesome. Money would be nice, too.

[mscelina]

I have fans. I even have a fan page. I have people who email me threats if I kill off their favorite character. I have people who gush over what I write--and people who don't.

What I want are readers--lots and lots of readers. If fame ande fortune came with it, I'd like to think I could handle it. I'm reasonably comfortable with the thought of it. *shrug* But that's so far outside my more immediate goals that I spend very little time--okay, no time--thinking about it.

[Adam]

I'd just like to make a living from my books. Fame and fortune would be nice I'm sure, but I'd settle for paying the bills and maybe getting the odd fan email. :)

[Cybernaught]

No. It sounds weird, but I've always dreamed about becoming an obscure novelist with a cult fanbase. I'd like to be able to go to the store and pick up milk without being hounded by everyone for autographs. And I'd like my private life kept private. That's the reason I got out of acting and switched to writing in the first place.

But if worse comes to worse, I can pull the old Thomas Pynchon and wear a paper bag over my head.

[KTC]

Yes, yes! Though I would prefer my fans to be of the non-creepy, non-stalking sort (I have one of those right now who is still in the "weird but harmless" camp but quickly escalating into the creepier version).


Thanks a lot! I thought I was playing it down rather well.

[KTC]

We all hate you too.

And yet, you're still a fan. I don't get it.

[scarletpeaches]

I'm a fan the way Judas was a fan of Jesus.

[illiterwrite]

Thanks a lot! I thought I was playing it down rather well.

well, you did show up at my house, after all. ;)

[willietheshakes]

Yes, yes! Though I would prefer my fans to be of the non-creepy, non-stalking sort (I have one of those right now who is still in the "weird but harmless" camp but quickly escalating into the creepier version).

Look, I said I was sorry.
And I'm keeping the fifty meters back, just like the judge said.

[AnonymousWriter]

Of course. I think most of us want to have fans who like and enjoy what we do. It's not something I need to keep on writing though...

It would just be an additional perk on the side. I can cope without fame and fans.

[Brindle Chase]

yes, yes and yes. Yes please. I'll take three!

I write for the fun of it. I love writing, but all of the above appeals to me and if it comes I won't shun it. *lol* If it doesn't, I'm still good, because I enjoy my writing.

[Samantha's_Song]

You're most probably right; thanks for the reality poke in the eye :D

It might be comforting to believe that now.

It might not actually pan out, though... :)

[ClaudiaGray]

Am I thinking, "I'm going to rule the bestseller lists or else!"? No.

Am I going to do my absolute best to have the biggest career I can have? Yes.

[KTC]

well, you did show up at my house, after all. ;)


You didn't notice that I took a spoon, did you?

[jannawrites]

It's not fame I want; it's the ability to sustain myself as a novelist, and to have a following of faithful readers.

[scarletpeaches]

I want to be a cult.

I said cult.

[thethinker42]

I want to be a cult.

I said cult.

You're already a member of my cult. So would this be like a cult-pyramid thing? You're a member of my cult, others join yours, then start their own, etc...?

[illiterwrite]

You didn't notice that I took a spoon, did you?

I KNEW it. Never trust a Whitbian.

[Zinta]

Neither, not yes, not no. That is, I have nothing against having fan readers, sure, kewl, but ... is that my driving motivation to write? No. First and foremost, the drive, the passion is to create. To find purpose in life through self expression that is unique to me, that has my Z all over it. Only later does the wish enter that someone might read it ... someone for whom it resonates, so that I have made that most precious and ever mysterious human connection. A crowd or only one, that matters much less to me. As long as the connection is pure and electric. We all want a mirror and to know, if even for just a moment, that we are not alone in the universe.

That said, to echo a post above, I want to make a living writing. And I do. And I feel blessed, very, and every day, blessed, blessed.

[benbradley]

I want to be invited to sing with the Rock Bottom Remainders. That'd be teh coolest.

I want to be a cult.

I said cult.
Don't you want devoted followers? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnNSe5XYp6E)
You're already a member of my cult. So would this be like a cult-pyramid thing? You're a member of my cult, others join yours, then start their own, etc...?
AKA "The CEO's and The Boards Of Directors" :)

[aruna]

I voted no because I don't want fans, I'm allergic to the very word. I woud hate it and find it embarrassing to have people recognise me or thinking me special in any way for being the writer of xxx.
If the question had been "do you want your books to be read by as many as possible" I'd have answered yes, because I WOULD like to be read by many people, and I would love for my books to be loved and people to be affected by them. But I'd hate any celebrity attached to that sort of success. I'd take the money and run!

[Virector]

I really don't think I can deal with the pressure of fame. I'm a really shy, reserved person and I'm somewhat agoraphobic-- I'd really hate being in the public eye. But I'd love to have fans of my work, not so much fans of me. A movie version of of my book? Now that I would love, as long as its done by a good director and a solid cast.

[TrixieLox]

Of course I want it all, baby! I dream big.

I already write for a living but I want to write novels for a living! I never want to set foot in an office again. Or interview anyone again. Or report on a dull event again. Or write a news article again. I want to be the one being interviewed or reported on. I can deal with fame, I used to PR celebs and know it can be terrible but, unless you're JK Rowling, a novelist's fame is the nicer, more subtle kinda fame.

As for a film, yes, only because I love my characters and think they'd be fab on the big screen. However, I'd absolutely need to be involved in the casting of the lead male role, naturally... ;-)

[Saskatoonistan]

Hell yeah! I want all the money, all the movie deals, all the everything! I want to live in a big ass house with hot and cold running bourbon, I want to wear a different fur coat every day in the winter, I want to be on Larry King and I want a 1957 Chevy that's all pimped up with a leopard skin interior.

Bring it.

[TrixieLox]

Hell yeah! I want all the money, all the movie deals, all the everything! I want to live in a big ass house with hot and cold running bourbon, I want to wear a different fur coat every day in the winter, I want to be on Larry King and I want a 1957 Chevy that's all pimped up with a leopard skin interior.

Bring it.

LOL!!!!!

[brokenfingers]

I'd want fans of my work definitely, but as many have already said, I have no need of fame.

I've had my moments of splendor in the sun, and while many can become addicted to it, I've come to realize that I'm a pretty self-contained person. I'd like my story to be enjoyed, loved, adored etc. Me, I don't really need it.

I'm also not a very materialistic person. I'd want the riches more for my sons and my family than for myself. As long as I have my needs met: food, shelter, sex, companionship, love; my health and mental capacities intact; my stories and the ability to express them; and a world I can explore - I'll always be happy.

[Matera the Mad]

I already have a few fans. No way I can avoid more if I'm published. Once I'm rich-n-famous I can have an unlisted number, caller ID, and all sorts of stuff. I don't go out much or eat in restaurants anyway, so what the heck. Kicky.

[Diana Hignutt]

I have fans, lots, but not a ton.

I'm slightly famous in certain circles, and regions.

I've had people recognize me in the street before, not so much recently.

That's all nice, but I'd love a bit more dough.

[BlueLucario]

I heard readers and fans are not the same thing and I often use them interchangebly, so here's my question:

What is the difference between readers and fans?

[scarletpeaches]

To be honest I think it's rather pretentious to say one wants readers rather than fans.

I'd say "readers" read the books and enjoy your work, but "fans" are dedicated to you as a person and have already pre-decided to enjoy everything you produce.

Me? I want both. I want it all! :D

[gypsyscarlett]

Fans? Of course! I love the idea of some people running to the bookshop to buy my latest novel. And the idea of receiving fan mail is thrilling.

But huge fame? No. No. No. I am way too private of a person for that.

[Noah Body]

Hell, yes. Without it, my chances of owning--or even leasing--a Gulfstream 550 for those jaunts to Japan will never happen, and flying biz class on JAL is just so pedestrian now.

And to expedite my meteoric ascent into that rarefied air, I've stolen a concept from ace screenwriter W.C. Martell and incorporated robot hookers from outer space into my next work.

[tehuti88]

I heard readers and fans are not the same thing and I often use them interchangebly, so here's my question:

What is the difference between readers and fans?

Just my take on it:

Reader--somebody who reads one of your works, enjoys it, then moves on. Readers are not always fans.

Fan--somebody who reads one of your works, enjoys it, decides to read others and enjoys them as well, so decides to follow your work--and might even try to either learn more about you and your work, or get in touch with you (via fan mail or however). Fans are always readers (though they might not be a fan of EVERYTHING you produce).

I'm pretty sure I have at least a few readers, but they don't really speak up or let their presence be known, so I may as well not have them. There's no connection between us. I'd like fans, fans being people who enjoy my work enough to try to make a connection with me.

I wouldn't like the whole scary fame and fans in droves-type thing, but without the connection to the readers (the connection being what makes them fans), what's the point in me doing all this? I really don't care to write a bunch of stuff for people who read it but won't bother letting me know.

That's just my take on it, like I said.

[Wayne K]

To be honest I think it's rather pretentious to say one wants readers rather than fans.

I'd say "readers" read the books and enjoy your work, but "fans" are dedicated to you as a person and have already pre-decided to enjoy everything you produce.

Me? I want both. I want it all! :D
I'm going to start the fan club. Thinker can be my secretary of state.

[scarletpeaches]

I don't think she'd take the job to be honest. But good luck with persuading her. ;)

[CaroGirl]

I translated "fans" to "readers" and voted for that. I think fanaticism, as a phenomenon, is something slightly ridiculous. I would want people to read my work and enjoy it, even to the point of wanting to meet me, but fanatics about little ol' me? No. Don't think so.

[Kaiser-Kun]

I would love my story being adapted into a movie, since I pretty much imagine it as a movie already. Heck, I'd go for the movie, the videogame, the comic book series and the coloring book, and I'd definetely go for the fans.

However, I'd like to be able to go out and stroll around, without people forming riots to shake my hand. I'd gladly sign autographs, and judge in a Cosplay Contest, but I'd start worrying if I saw my fans are like Nuttymadam.

[Swordswoman]

This is an honest answer.

Yes, I'd like fans. Or at least I'd like people to say they liked what I did, and hopefully be vocal about it.

I worked a long time in TV with a team of people, and when things went wrong I was the up-front producer who got all the blame.

Now I've written a book, and I did it all by myself. I had to change my name and go in by the slush-pile like everyone else, but there'll still be people who'll say 'Oh, yeah, it's easy when you've got contacts'. I have to use that different name even on the cover of my own book, or I might get dodgy reviews based on my previous 'persona'. But I need so very desperately for somebody to like it.

That's pathetic, of course, and I know it. But it's honest.

[Wayne K]

That's pathetic, of course, and I know it. But it's honest.
No, it isn't.
ETA: I mean it's not pathetic. You knew that right?

[Swordswoman]

I knew that. :Hug2:

[Ambrosia]

Fans, yes. Fame, no. Lots of money? Of course!

[Wayne K]

I "think" that fans = people who are mad about my writing. If that equasion is correct then I = great writer. That's the bar, but there's where the question gets answered.

Am I ready for that answer though?

[scarletpeaches]

You know what I really, really want?

Enough money to walk into a shop and be able to buy whatever I want without worrying about having to sacrifice something else to pay for it.

That'd be pretty cool.

[Kaiser-Kun]

You know what I really, really want?

Enough money to walk into a shop and be able to buy whatever I want without worrying about having to sacrifice something else to pay for it.

That'd be pretty cool.

Wouldn't you like to see action figures, keychains, toothpaste, and a just-for-kids cereal of your characters, in that shop?

[Wayne K]

You know what I really, really want?

Enough money to walk into a shop and be able to buy whatever I want without worrying about having to sacrifice something else to pay for it.

That'd be pretty cool.
That really would be nice.

[scarletpeaches]

Apres moi, le keychain.

[foonting]

All I want is to write and not have to worry about how I afford to eat......everything else is icing on the cake. Though there is the pseudo- immortality that being published gives.....I'd like to think my work would survive me and not just moulder in an attic somewhere. While the words are alive so is the author.

[Samantha's_Song]

Yep, that's how I'd like it to be too, but after I'd bought the apartment in Paris though ;)

You know what I really, really want?

Enough money to walk into a shop and be able to buy whatever I want without worrying about having to sacrifice something else to pay for it.

That'd be pretty cool.

[scarletpeaches]

After you go shopping for furniture and fittings?

And sex toys for Jean. ;)

[Kaiser-Kun]

Can you guys buy me a PlayStation 3 when you're all famous bestselling authors? :p

Actually, this made me wonder something... How would you reward the people who helped you and are not receiving a share? If (or when) I get published, I'm making a big donation to AW so they can buy new forum skins.

[scarletpeaches]

Same here.

Aside from that, naming 'em in the dedications and acknowledgements would be pretty cool, and that's something I plan to do, with Mac's permission and that of anyone else I want to name-check.

[Alpha Echo]

Why not? I'm not going to be devestated if I never get published, but if I go so far as to get published, I don't want my books just sitting there on the shelves collecting dust with no fans to buy them and open the covers and read.

[Samantha's_Song]

Well, yes, the bed would be the most essential item...

Hehehe He won't really need any toys, he'll have me, but I wouldn't say no to the toys either, much more fun than chocolates and flowers :D

After you go shopping for furniture and fittings?

And sex toys for Jean. ;)

[Wayne K]

There was a poll this whole time?

[jubileerocker]

Honestly I like being a stay at home mom but I feel like I am a money drain on my husband but I want to raise my son. I spread my legs, I carried him, I almost died bring him to life (placenta rupture) he's my responsibility and I don't want to pass that on anyone else joys or burdens

[Mythical Tiger]

Yes on everything..... I'm 14 at the moment so I don't think I'm going to get any of it some time soon.



~Sam

[backslashbaby]

Seriously, what I want? Book reviews touting how wonderful my themes and insight are, teachers making their students write essays on my symbolism, and perhaps a well-made movie that takes in a few Oscars ;) Well, you asked! Famous? Hmmm, I'd better use a pen name!

I'd settle for a few hundred folks thinking it's really enjoyable :) I got over 9,000 folks liking this amazingly stupid app I wrote on Facebook, so please tell me 200 would read my book!

[jubileerocker]

Yes on everything..... I'm 14 at the moment so I don't think I'm going to get any of it some time soon.



~Sam
Wow we have an age range here, I like it:snoopy:

[tehuti88]

Seriously, what I want? Book reviews touting how wonderful my themes and insight are, teachers making their students write essays on my symbolism, and perhaps a well-made movie that takes in a few Oscars ;)

I'm glad I'm not the only one who entertains daydreams like that. :D

[Enzo]

I'm only at the stage where I'm writing right now, no agents or publishers, so it's a bit early. I'd love to be successful, but real 'fans?' Maybe not.

[scarletpeaches]

I like your attitude. There is no 'want', there is only 'shall be'. :D

[CaroGirl]

I like your attitude. There is no 'want', there is only 'shall be'. :D
Thank you, Yoda. I thought your ears were looking a bit green and rubbery today. :)

[Swordswoman]

I don’t want to be a great writer. I am going to be a great writer. Nothing will stop me…don’t you know that?

I like your attitude. There is no 'want', there is only 'shall be'. :D

I wish you both right.

Me, I suspect there is no 'will be', only 'is'. Yes, we can all improve our craft all the time, but I have a nasty suspicion one either 'is' or 'isn't' a 'great writer', and if it ain't the case then nothing on this earth can make it so. What this thread is about is wanting other people to think we are, and I suspect I'm really shallow to want any such thing.

And yet, and yet... We may have this image of the 'great writer' who doesn't need the affirmation of the masses because he knows he's great, but I doubt the truth of that. When I was an editor in TV I worked with some (literally) awesome writers, but never a single one who wasn't upset by a bad review, or indeed by a brutal critique.

Starving in a garret, fine, bring it on. But tell me my work stinks, and you'd better bring a sub-machine gun....

[aruna]

I really don't think I can deal with the pressure of fame. I'm a really shy, reserved person and I'm somewhat agoraphobic-- I'd really hate being in the public eye. But I'd love to have fans of my work, not so much fans of me. A movie version of of my book? Now that I would love, as long as its done by a good director and a solid cast.

That's how I feel, more or less; but not your first sentence. If fame happened I'm sure I could deal with it; but I don't want to. It would be such a hassle! And I don't care about hanging out with A listers or everybody being curious about myprovate life. I would just HATE that. I love being alone and private.
But a movie would be fabulous!

[aruna]

To be honest I think it's rather pretentious to say one wants readers rather than fans.

Why, if it's the truth?

I'd say "readers" read the books and enjoy your work, but "fans" are dedicated to you as a person and have already pre-decided to enjoy everything you produce.

Me? I want both. I want it all! :D

I really, really would hate to have people dedicated to me as a person. It would be bad for them, and bad for me!

[virtue_summer]

I don’t want to be a great writer. I am going to be a great writer. Nothing will stop me…don’t you know that?

I love this attitude. And yeah, I would love to be a bestselling author. As for fans, I don't want fans, per se. I want my stories to have fans. I want my books to have fans. I want people giving copies of my books to their sisters, uncles, friends, and telling them they have to read it. I want them rushing into the bookstores, frantically asking where they can get a copy of my latest novel. I don't want them pasting up pictures of me on their walls.

[DMarie84]

Of course I'd like fans, whether that's ten or ten million. Being a bestselling author would be amazing too.

But I wouldn't want to be high profile like Stephen King, J.K. Rowling or Stephanie Meyer. I'd rather my books sell tons of copies but I could do without the crazed fans. I don't need people to recognize me, I'd just want them to adore my books :)

[scarletpeaches]

I want to be famous enough to go apeshit on Amazon.

[Swordswoman]

I want to be famous enough to go apeshit on Amazon.

How does one go apeshit on Amazon??? I think I want this too..

[Susan Breen]

This is how famous I am. The other day I was at a doctor's office and I'd never been there before and I had to fill out one of those new patient forms. And the receptionist kept saying, No. You don't have to fill it out. Your name is so familiar. I know you've been here before."
We went back and forth on that a few times and then she said, "I know your name because I read your book!"
I thought that was so cool, though I wish it had happened at a fancy restaurant instead of a doctor's office, but you can't have everything.

[fullbookjacket]

Well, yeah, I want to be famous. My name, anyway. But for the right reasons. Not for being a serial killer or a jackass like Sean Hannity.

[Wayne K]

Well, yeah, I want to be famous. My name, anyway. But for the right reasons. Not for being a serial killer or a jackass like Sean Hannity.
You're going to lump serial killers in with the likes of Sean hannity?

[scarletpeaches]

How does one go apeshit on Amazon??? I think I want this too..

The Infamous Anne Rice Batshit Insane Amazon.com Rant.

[Samantha's_Song]

But you don't need to, darling, you've always got us on AW to do that to :D

I want to be famous enough to go apeshit on Amazon.

[Samantha's_Song]

Who's Sean Hannity when he's at home then?

[Phantom]

Well, of course I want to be a best selling author and stuff. But not because for money or anything like that. I want to be a best selling author because it means that people like what I write, and that means I've acomplished something. Okay, I admit it, I'd love fans. I'd love for someone to come up to me and say, "Aren't you (insert name here)? Oh, my gosh! I love your books!!!" I'd love to go to Borders the morning my book comes out and see stacks of my book stacked up on on a table at the front of the store, then come back two hours later and see half of it gone. I wouldn't mind someone counting down the days until my next book comes out. But, really, I would mind if I hadn't worked hard for it. If I had stolen it from someone else and published it in my name, I would hate it. Because, really, the only reason I would like this is because I know I worked for it.

Oh, and I totally wouldn't mind if they made it a movie, as long as they don't change it a bunch, 'cause I hate it when they do that, like with Coraline (Omg, that one little boy in it? He is not in the book!!). So yup. I wouldn't mind a best-seller.

[DamaNegra]

Wow, after reading this thread I realized just how excesively ambitious I am.

I want my books to still be read 400 years from now. I want literature courses 400 years from now still teaching my works and the impact they had.

Maybe that's why I never like anything I write... I haven't really written anything trascendent yet.

[Samantha's_Song]

I want my work to be read whilst I'm still alive to enjoy the rewards of the fruits of my labours. I don't care about it once I'm dead, I won't be getting anything from it :D

[Appalachian Writer]

I want to write. I want to write and make a living doing it. Not necessarily rich through writing, but I'd like to have at least one month when I didn't worry about the electric bill.:D

[Atari]

You know, yeah.

I want to write a novel someday that gathers for me a huge, devoted fanbase, that invites movie producers to buy the rights to make a movie out of the novel, that has a huge fandom full of badly-written slash-pairing fanfic...

I want people to track pictures of me down so they start recognizing me on the streets. Fans will want me to autograph stuff so they can tattoo my signature on their a**es.

The only form of communication I'll have is through email, and those movie producers I mentioned earlier? They'll email me, wanting to make a movie. They'll offer me a cameo in it. Hell, they'll let me play the MC if I just LET THEM MAKE THIS MOVIE!

But I'll just send 'em off with a response like "I'll get back to you on that," and then send off their email addresses to 4-1-9 scammers.

(Underappreciated conscience note: Because fame is TOTALLY a way to justify passive-aggressive behavior, right.)

Yes.

And my adoring fans will email me saying how much they love me and PLEASE PLEASE REPLY and with links to their fanfiction and art, telling me to read and review it - and sure, I'll take some of the best art and the most (unintentionally) amusing fanfics, and post them up on my blog. Then I will take a picture of myself on webcam of me flipping 'em the bird, holding a sign with the date, time, and "F*** OFF" and send it to their email.

And they will still love me. In fact, they will love me even more. They'll make me into a religion. (Underappreciated conscience note #2: but you'll, ah, discourage them from that, right?)

Yeah. Just like Buddha discouraged followers of Buddhism from worshipping him.

Yes, I am going to go check myself into a mental institution now.

OH! And they'll teach my novel as part of the English curriculum in schools all around the universe. They will overanalyze every little word of my writing. They'll teach in their schools that my character sitting on a sunny beach after living in a dark castle for most of her life symbolizes how people are starving in Honduras, or something completely unrelated like that.

And I'll be like, "yeah. That's exactly what it all means."

When someone gets killed over a novel of mine, I'll plead insanity. After all, look at this post. Anyone could mistake me for a delusional crazy. Even I'm doubting my own sanity.

[Saskatoonistan]

I also want fur coats for my two cats. Forgot to add that.

[Samantha's_Song]

If I get a film deal out of my novels, and it gets my favourite actor to play the part,I want a clause put into it, otherwise they don't get my stories. The clause is; his awful I-wannabe-famous wife doesn't get a part in them, not even as an extra :D