Your Holy Grail

maestrowork · Apr 4, 2009

What is your Holy Grail when it comes to novel writing?

To many new authors, it may be publication. To many published authors, it may be making it big like JK Rowling (or one of your idols). To some authors, it may be being recognized, awarded, etc. To some, it's simply to be able to make a good living doing something you enjoy. To others, it may be something deeper and much more personal.

So what is your personal Holy Grail?

Red.Ink.Rain · Apr 4, 2009

Right now, it's publication, and ideally enough royalties to help me get through college.

scarletpeaches · Apr 4, 2009

The Booker Prize.

CheshireCat · Apr 4, 2009

At this stage of my career, I have two.

I'd like to make #1 on the Times list.

And I'd like to be secure enough on every level that I don't have deadlines -- for the first time in a long, long time. I don't plan to stop writing, but it would be nice to see what I can write when there's no pressure to produce.

The former is something beyond my control, really. The latter is an achievable goal.

NatJM · Apr 4, 2009

My goal is to gain a readership and touch people with my writing. Yes, ultimately, I would like a financial reward so I can keep writing full time but the financial reward isn't the Holy Grail, the Holy Grail is to touch and connect with readers through my writing and being able to keep on doing it.

mscelina · Apr 4, 2009

To write a book that I can sit down and read ten years from now with pleasure--which means writing one without mistakes, one that I'll have no urge to tinker with and one that will stand without any futher input from me.

NeuroFizz · Apr 4, 2009

To establish a unique, quality voice in my writing that is recognizable and recognized by readers. [This implies publication and establishment of at least decent readership]

firedrake · Apr 4, 2009

To walk into Borders and see my books on the shelves, or, even better on that table at the front of the store.

Cranky · Apr 4, 2009

To see a complete stranger reading a book I've written with an expression of intense focus on their face. Then I know they're not really in the world anymore, but wandering around in the one I created on the page.

SarahMacManus · Apr 4, 2009

To single-handedly make literary fiction popular again.

Barring that? I want fanfic. I want people so hungry for prequels and sequels that they write their own. I want teenagers shipping my characters and role-playing my world. I want knock off bands and product tie-ins with Mattel.

Honestly - I'd really just like a publication deal that would allow me to write full time. That would make me a very happy woman.

C.M.C. · Apr 4, 2009

Mine is simply the feeling of accomplishment that comes with holding a book with my name on it. Everything else before and beyond that point is nice, but not why I care.

Chauchat Butterfly · Apr 4, 2009

I just want to be recognized.

Mr. Anonymous · Apr 4, 2009

Fame and fortune would be nice. But I'd settle for being able to sustain myself, in relative comfort, through my writing.

KikiteNeko · Apr 4, 2009

Being published by a well known house for a 5 or 6-figure advance.

MRevelle83 · Apr 4, 2009

To be published and be able to earn decent income.

That really is all there is to it. I'd rather avoid being famous (as in recognized on the street). And rich I can do without. If I had a million bucks, I'd just blow it on a million $1 burgers from a fast food joint or something.

Lady Cat · Apr 4, 2009

I want to be able to start a shelf of my books in my bookcase.

Right under my shelf of Charles de Lint books.

Delhomeboy · Apr 4, 2009

To be read. Don't care how.

C.M. Daniels · Apr 4, 2009

Mine's a combination of wanting to see someone on the bus pull my book out of their bag and being able to pay off my student loans. It varies by day.

Renee Collins · Apr 4, 2009

firedrake said:
To walk into Borders and see my books on the shelves, or, even better on that table at the front of the store.

Ditto!

Renee Collins · Apr 4, 2009

Cranky said:
To see a complete stranger reading a book I've written with an expression of intense focus on their face. Then I know they're not really in the world anymore, but wandering around in the one I created on the page.

This one is good too!

Zipotes · Apr 4, 2009

Getting published! Seeing my name on a book I can hold and have others read it.
Later, making enough money that I could quit my job would be the ultimate dream.

Judg · Apr 4, 2009

I want to sell enough books to make a decent living and have publishers eager for my next manuscript.

I want readers who are eager for my next book.

I want to get letters from readers telling me how I made them think, changed their outlook, encouraged them, had some kind of positive impact.

If I get all that, I will be deeply happy.

Making enough money that I could sit down and look for ways to give proactively would be insanely cool.

vrabinec · Apr 4, 2009

For someone to pay to read my material, read it, and then pay for the next thing I write.

brokenfingers · Apr 4, 2009

Hmmm, publication and money aren't really motivators for me, though they're necessary by-products for what I do want.

I want to create a world and characters that others will enjoy. I want people to love my characters and the world I've created. I want to share the vision in my head and have others feel the wonder.

I write speculative fiction (or fantasticals, as I call them) and in the genre there are certain authors and worlds that are must-reads. Some might love them and some might hate them, but they're part of the defining core of SFF.

I want someone new to the genre, or someone looking for a good read, to ask another person "what should I read?" and have my books, my world, mentioned along with the others who stand out among the crowd.

I want to create a story that will take on a life of its own and grow, like a child - then spread throughout the world until it becomes well-known and well-loved.

I want to be able to one day stand back, like a proud parent, and with a quiet smile, say to myself, "Wow, I made that."

Then contentedly just watch it with wonder and love. And die happy.

Exir · Apr 4, 2009

Someday, I wanna get published.

Your Holy Grail

Fear the Death Ray

Not your kid brother's YA

Mostly purring. Mostly.

Teh doommobile, drivin' rite by you

The grad students did it

practical experience, FTW

Archetype

~*~root beer floatz~*~

Just a guy with a pen & a delusion

.

Complication

Stalking Jennifer Aniston!

Cinnamon, sit. Bad fish!

Plotting . . .

Plotting . . .

DISENCHANTED coming soon

Dipwad

Walkin' That Road

Out of the cradle endlessly rocking

~~root beer floatz~~