Oprah Dreams

[Nateskate]

No, I'm not dreaming of Oprah, but (and I hope this doesn't sound pathetic) I have a dream of being on Oprah some day to discuss my book. Obviously that will cause another surge in sales.

Well, obviously, this may not be your dream, but here's your chance to share your ultimate dream.

Many of us need to have some carrot we dangle in front of us to keep us going. Solomon in all of his wisdom said, "People without a vision perish." Without some kind of goal, or some incentive we tend to waivor, and are more likely to throw down the pen and take up tumb-recreation (Also called remote therapy).

My twisted little dream goes like this. When my book is a runaway best seller, Oprah gets a hold of it and falls in love with the story. I get invited on to share all of the gory details, "What inspired you...This seems really deep, is there some metaphor..."

What's your twisted little dream? What do you hope will happen when your book takes off and becomes a best seller?

[johnnycannuk]

My short term dream is just to write, get published and be good enough to be able to do it for a living - no day job, no wife having to work 2 jobs to support us etc.

My long term dream is to write novels that people clamour to read, that they really enjoy and that makes them think. Then I could not only do this for a living, I could travel, do all sorts of research and use my wealth to help other people as well as my family...I would be "Robin Masters" with a conscience (although the home in Hawaii with the bulter and the Ferrari sound kind of appealing too). I would flog the books and the causes on Conan O'Brien or The Daily Show regularly.

My selfish dream is to have a novel published, be optioned for a movie, for me to help write the screen play and then for me (and my partner, since I don't know much about screenwriting) to win the Oscar for Best Screeenplay. Oh, and to somehow have Salma Hyek be in the film...;)

I guess it doesn't matter the goal, as long as you have one. A wise man once told me "If you don't know where your going, any road will get you there".

Mike

[clotje]

Hehehe, I don't dream of Oprah

My dream is that my thriller gets filmed and that Jude Law, Johnny Depp and Kate Winslet play the main parts. And if they do a good job (and no doubt they would) they get to play in the sequel as well. :hat:

Oh and I almost forget, of course we win the Oscar as well...all of us (I'm nice like that ;) )

[Daughter of Faulkner]

is what I have my eyes set like flint on. Oprah and I are from the same area and God bless her for all that she has done for not only authors but for the world as a whole.

"I hope all your hopes and dreams come true and that you are the first one on this Board on Oprah!"

[Nateskate]

is what I have my eyes set like flint on. Oprah and I are from the same area and God bless her for all that she has done for not only authors but for the world as a whole.

"I hope all your hopes and dreams come true and that you are the first one on this Board on Oprah!"

Thanks for your kind words.

Oh, the impurity of my heart. I agree with all your dreams so far. I'd love to have a LOTR blockbuster type movie, and deep in the darkest shadows in my mind are dreams of that beautiful writer's cabin in my own little forest.

Yes, I love to write, but boy do I hate to edit. Those dreams come in handy in the re-writes.

[BradyH1861]

I do not dream of Operah. However, should Dr. Phil ever invite me to be a guest, then I would leap at the chance!

Alas, I fear that the only talk show for which I qualify is the Jerry Springer Show.

Brady H.

[CACTUSWENDY]

:Trophy: .....AND I WANT A REALLY BIG CROWN...WITH LOTS OF DIAMONDS ON IT....THEN A BIG FLOAT ....ME DOING MY PARADE WAVE......OH...WAIT...YOU MEAN ABOUT MY WRITTING.....SIGH

I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SHARE THRU WRITTING THE INSIDE OF MY HEAD SO OTHERS COULD RECEIVE THE ENJOYMENT I GET FROM HAVING IT.

SCARY.....HUH?....(AT LEAST MY HEAD ISN'T FULL OF SPOOKY STUFF....)

I LOVE YOU GUYS.......:Thumbs:

[arrowqueen]

I shall be a rich recluse.


:tongue

[BradyH1861]

I shall be a rich recluse.




Will you be my benefactor? Please? Please? I dont eat very much and I am house trained...for the most part!:Spam:

Brady H.

[Nateskate]

Rejection is Nature's way of telling you to write better.I picture the editor as the grand master, who says, "Grasshoper, when you can snatch the pebble from my hand, you will be ready for your quest."

[JennaGlatzer]

I just want one giant book. You know those crazy people who make a gazillion dollars and they keep working anyway? Not me. I want one huge, mammoth, "best seller in history" type of book. Then I shall retire (and buy a diamond tiara for Wendy).

Then I'll buy a theatre and direct children's plays. Just 'cause. Maybe I'll write a book here and there. Writing is something I choose to do, but I no longer feel that it's something I HAVE to do or I'll just die inside.

'Course, maybe I'm just feeling that way because I'm rebelling against all these deadlines this week. :tongue

[Susan Gable]

I know I won't make Oprah, because she doesn't like books with happy endings, and I prefer my books with happy endings.

Okay, I will feel like I have arrive when...this is going to sound weird, but when my books are carried in Sam's Club/Costco, etc. Because they don't carry many books, so you have to be doing pretty well to be stocked on those shelves.

Someday, I'd like to be there.

:Fairydust Fairy dust to help make everyone's dreams come true!

And I guess I'd better go get busy on my next book, because fairy dust alone, unfortunately, doesn't cut it. :)

Susan G.
--------
www.susangable.com (http://www.susangable.com)

[Kate StAmour]

Sure, I would love to be on Oprah, but what I would also like is a permanent position on the major bestseller lists (USA Today, Times, RRT, you get the point). I want to be able to easily support my kids on my writing and I want to be a featured presenter at RWA conferences. *sigh* I wouldn't mind a couple of non-fiction deals with Llewellyn, either.

[williemeikle]

I just want to be able to give up the day job and write full time. A huge best seller and hollywood blockbuster would be nice too, but I'll take it one step at a time :)

Willie
http://www.willie.meikle.btinternet.co.uk

[Moondancer]

'Course, maybe I'm just feeling that way because I'm rebelling against all these deadlines this week. :tongue

I'd say that has a lot to do with it.

[Elizabeth]

2 dreams:

1. Quitting the day job
2. Books stay in print and keep bringin' in the royalty checks

Simple, right? Heh.

[Nateskate]

I know I won't make Oprah, because she doesn't like books with happy endings, and I prefer my books with happy endings.

Okay, I will feel like I have arrive when...this is going to sound weird, but when my books are carried in Sam's Club/Costco, etc. Because they don't carry many books, so you have to be doing pretty well to be stocked on those shelves.

Someday, I'd like to be there.

I hope you find yourself in Sam's Club some day. Wait! I mean, I hope you find your books being sold in Sam's club some day. This is such a novel goal, one that I never imagined.

[arrowqueen]

Yes, I quite fancy being a patron of the arts. I'll bung you down on my list for future sponsorship, Brady. (Mind you, given my present financial situation, I wouldn't hold my breath if I were you!)

;)
aq

[ElizabethJames]

. . . to see We are not the only nutcase around here.

Someone recently asked what We wanted in life . . . and our immediate response was TO BE A FAMOUS AUTHOR.

Not that doesn't mean We don't want a lot of other stuff too, but FAMOUS AUTHOR always emerges at the top of our list.

Then, of course, there's changing the world. That's No. 2.

[Susan Gable]

I hope you find yourself in Sam's Club some day. Wait! I mean, I hope you find your books being sold in Sam's club some day. This is such a novel goal, one that I never imagined.

Thank you, Nate. :D

Yes, I suppose I do have a slightly different way of looking at things. <G> But, take being a famous author (which is a wonderful goal) or the goal of being on the lists (also a great goal, one I'd love, too.) If I achieve either of those things, it may manifest by....my books being sold at Sam's Club/etc. :)


Susan G.
--------
www.susangable.com (http://www.susangable.com)

[Kida Adelyne]

My dream is to write a really good Juvenille book, then have a kid come up to me and say they really liked it and used it for a book report.

Very simple.

'Coarse I wouldn't mind writing a million doller best seller. Then I could buy a really good Cello... and a grand piano, and a clarinet and a harp and then a house to put it all in with a huge private library...

[Puddle Jumper]

I can't stand Oprah, so I can't imagine myself accepting an invite to be on her show. Now Leno, that's a whole different story. ;)

[katiemac]

Ellen. I'd like to go on Ellen. The same day as Brad Pitt. That could be fun.

[Mistook]

My book is an Urban Fantasy about a town under a curse, and it centers on two brothers, who are musicians. There's a fair amount of song descriptions and lyrics that play into the story. Drugs, especially hallucinogens like Marijuiana, LSD, and Magic Mushrooms, also play a large role in the story.

Now, having said that, here's what I imagine will happen:
-----------

1) Published book gains instant cult following, enough to earn out and keep the thing in print.

2) Cult following grows and a few years later, the book catches on in snobby circles, catches mentions in the media, gradually sneaks into the bestseller list as a darkhorse.

3) Sam Raimi begs to produce and direct the film. I oversee the screenplay, and land the contract to record the band songs along with my brother Brian. Actors will lip synch our recordings and play fake guitars for the movie.

4) My brother Tim, composes the score for the film.

5) Giant controversey is created by conservatives who say that the film condones violence and drugs. Media attention turns film into blockbuster success.

6) Riding the wave of media attention, my brothers and I record a quick album and throw together a rock tour, and Conan makes fun of us becuase we're such old farts.

7) Work like a horse the rest of my life doing things I love like writing novels, screenplays, and recording music.

-------

But no, I don't think about it too much.

[SRHowen]

Not having to answer the phone: 7-11 first street, Shawn speaking, may I help you?--ever ever ever ever again. In other words make enough that I can quit my day job, and move off the grid--and write.

Shawn

[Puddle Jumper]

My dream is to make enough money to buy a really nice house and be a full time writer. :D

[E.G. Gammon]

I want my book to make my old English teacher weep & apologize for saying my writing was just a hobby. And I want her to say my writing DID matter more than reciting a STUPID poem in front of the entire class.

[Puddle Jumper]

I want my book to make my old English teacher weep & apologize for saying my writing was just a hobby. And I want her to say my writing DID matter more than reciting a STUPID poem in front of the entire class.
Wow, sounds like you had a real winner for a teacher. Shouldn't teachers actually encourage students to follow their dreams?

[Writing Again]

Just want to earn enough writing to be able to stay home and do the things I love: Write, exercise, Paint and draw, with enough time left over to learn something new like how to play the guitar.


As for Oprah I want to succeed so anonymously that I can tell people I'm just getting by on my disability check so they will leave me alone.

[pepperlandgirl]

I want to be successful. Not necessarily a successful writer. It seems the older I get and the closer I come to getting my degree, the more confused I am. I'll always write, and I hope one day to be recognized for my talents, but more, I hope that whatever I end up doing once they kick me out of Academia--and they will one day--is something that makes me happy and fulfilled. I really hope that something is being a full-time writer.

[SJB]

Lessee. A shelf full of books with my name on the spine would suit me nicely- as would another few shelves of all their foreign language editions. That's about it.

Not that I'd turn down the Booker Prize, mind.

Interesting topic, Nateskate.

[MacAllister]

I think I'd like to pound away the rest of my life at the day job, writing during whatever bits of free time I can swipe from friends, family, responsibilities and recreation--getting rid of the tv frees up enormous chunks of time, btw--and publish at least a handful of really excellent, well-conceived, well-executed novels.

Don't laugh. I'm serious.

Oh--and the "Fresh Air" interview, with Terry Gross, on NPR. I wanna do that, too.

[Inspired]

Thanks for mentioning the old English teacher. That remind me -

One of my lit teachers in high school gave me a book of poetry for my graduation. She wrote a message in it that said she looked forward to reading my first book. I can't wait to send her one! Hopefully, she'll still be alive when that day comes.

I really want to write full-time and win a writing award. I don't want to be a famous author that travels a lot or gets interviewed a lot. I just want people (mostly young people) to say they read one (or five) of my books and recognize my name.

So, basically, I want to be alone with my writing, but be acknowledged by others.

[Susan Gable]

Interesting that so many of us mention old English teachers. <G> Here's a little essay on my website that talks about old English teachers, and "wanting to show them." :)

http://www.susangable.com/Mr.%20Solomon.htm

Susan G.
--------
www.susangable.com (http://www.susangable.com)

[BradyH1861]

Actually I dream of Jeannie!

"Yes Master?"

:D

Brady H.

[Nateskate]

Actually I dream of Jeannie!

"Yes Master?"

:D

Brady H.

Okay, since you brought up the topic of childhood dreamgirls. Would you have chose Ginger or Maryann from Giligan's Island? Maryann usually wins 3-1! When I was a young tyke, I dreamed of Jeanie too!

[BradyH1861]

Definitely Mary Ann!!!!!!!


Brady H.

[Nateskate]

Definitely Mary Ann!!!!!!!


Brady H.

An emphatic wholesome "Amen"

[susannah]

I agree with Katie, definitely Ellen. Possibly The Daily Show. However, I think this has more to do with just wanting to hang out with Ellen and Jon Stewart, and I imagine the whole "published author" thing might help facilitate it.

I think the big non-celebrity related carrot would have to be having an actual book-signing, with people attending, and then having someone say to me, "I loved it. It made me think. It made me feel."

I'm easy to please. ;)

[Sarashay]

. . . is to write books that people mention they've read to appear cool.

I'd also like to be an adjective, so book reviewers would describe another book as being "me"-esque.

I'm still finding my voice, I think, so it may take a while.

'shay

[CindyBidar]

Oh--and the "Fresh Air" interview, with Terry Gross, on NPR. I wanna do that, too.

Diane Rehm for me. Can't tell you how many books I bought because the author was on her show.

[Nateskate]

. . . is to write books that people mention they've read to appear cool.

I'd also like to be an adjective, so book reviewers would describe another book as being "me"-esque.

I'm still finding my voice, I think, so it may take a while.

'shay

I'm looking for my voice too. I'm a ventriloquist and impersonator, and can't figure out who I am yet. Frankly, I'm working very hard, because I think I don't like my natural voice that much. The question though is whether the reader will like it? Gotta hope.

[Oklahoma Wolf]

I don't really care about money or fame myself, but it would make me immeasurably happy to visit a bookstore or library and see someone buying or borrowing one of my novels. My dream is just to know that something I did made someone's life a little better.

[black winged fighter]

Realistic dream: Write for a living, maybe develop a slight following of readers who follow my work with at least minimal interest. This would be good.

My secret, deep, dark dream....
Churn out book after book of mind-blowing, thought-altering significance and importance, develop a large, dedicated following who snatch my books from the shelves, and threaten me to keep me writing. This would be great.

[Jamesaritchie]

I don't really care about money or fame myself, but it would make me immeasurably happy to visit a bookstore or library and see someone buying or borrowing one of my novels. My dream is just to know that something I did made someone's life a little better.

My dream was always to be able to look up my own name in the library card catalogue, then go and pull my novel off a shelf. I had the usual eleation when my first novel was published, but a funny thing happened when that novel reached the library and I did look my name up, then walked over to the fiction section and pulled it off a shelf.

I realized that novel was history, and I had to sit down and do it all over again. That was a sobering moment.

[Mistook]

I realized that novel was history, and I had to sit down and do it all over again. That was a sobering moment.

I worked in my local library for four years, as a page, and in that time they hired a new clerk, who I found out was a mystery writer. Four of his books were there in the library, and I read them, and even talked to him about them.

This was sobering to me, at 24, to realize this guy had 'hit a home run' four times in a row, and here he was, just a clerk. All that accomplishment and he hadn't gained an ounce of respect in his own town. He may as well have paid for a vanity publishing for all the respect it earned him.

One thing I'll never forget, however, is that while writing about our home town, Aurora, he copped out and called it "Johnson City" in his novels. I thought, "Well, if you're so ashamed of your town, you can't call it by name, then don't be suprised if the town is ashamed of you."

Not that calling it Aurora would have catapulted him to stardom, or even won the respect of the snooty librarians, but he would have looked a lot more heroic in this young writer's eyes.

I learned from that experience that getting published doesn't necessarily mean riches, but I also vowed that when I did sit down to write a novel, I'd never cop out and set the story in "Johnson City."

[Jamesaritchie]

for a vanity publishing for all the respect it earned him.

One thing I'll never forget, however, is that while writing about our home town, Aurora, he copped out and called it "Johnson City" in his novels. I thought, "Well, if you're so ashamed of your town, you can't call it by name, then don't be suprised if the town is ashamed of you."

Not that calling it Aurora would have catapulted him to stardom, or even won the respect of the snooty librarians, but he would have looked a lot more heroic in this young writer's eyes.

I learned from that experience that getting published doesn't necessarily mean riches, but I also vowed that when I did sit down to write a novel, I'd never cop out and set the story in "Johnson City."

I don't think that's a cop out. It's usually a good idea to do just this, unless you live in a truly large city such as New York City, Chicago, etc. It doesn't mean you're ashamed of your hometown, it just means you're writing fiction, and fiction often works better if you fictionalize the name of the city. It gives you far more freedom to tell the story, and it's the story that it's all about.

New york, Chicago, etc., are all large enough that you can keep the name and still fictionalize the city to fit the story. Many such places aren't. Changing the name lets the writer tell a tale he couldn't tell otherwsie.

[Torin]

I'm looking for the right way to get publicity for my first novel which came out in 2000 with WordWrangler and is now available at SynergEbooks in POD and ebook. Since the hero comes from a parallel Earth where homosexuality is the norm and he has spent his life hiding his heterosexuality from everyone because it's something that can ruin his career and get him killed, there's lots of potential for the book to be very controversial. And there's nothing like controversy to boost sales.

Now, with the debate raging about same sex marriage, I just need a good publicist for sales to take off!! LOL.

[Nateskate]

I don't really care about money or fame myself, but it would make me immeasurably happy to visit a bookstore or library and see someone buying or borrowing one of my novels. My dream is just to know that something I did made someone's life a little better.

That's great, and honestly, at one time I felt exactly the same. But, I wonder just how noble I will be if fame and money do present themselves.

I'm equally curious to see if I do accomplish bettering lives of others without acknowledgement or monetary compensation, if I will be sorely vexed and disappointed.

I hope that desire isn't corrupted if per chance my story becomes popular. But "the heart is deceitful above all things; who can know it."

[HConn]

Fame would suck. I'd like to replace fame with extra money.

[Mistook]

I don't think that's a cop out. It's usually a good idea to do just this, unless you live in a truly large city such as New York City, Chicago, etc. It doesn't mean you're ashamed of your hometown, it just means you're writing fiction, and fiction often works better if you fictionalize the name of the city. It gives you far more freedom to tell the story, and it's the story that it's all about.


Yes, in general I agree, and the story is the main thing. But to me Aurora is a special case because of Wayne's World. I guess you'd have to live here to understand it, but (if I may digress off topic) for the last 40 years, this town has had a very negative reputation in the region as being a depressing, apathetic community, and we are especially dispised by neigboring Naperville, where all the nice, clean, rich people live.

:Lecture: It was a kid from Naperville who landed a job on the SNL staff during the 90's who suggested to Mike Meyers that his burn-out loser character be situated in Aurora, IL.

True to this town's absolute lack of self esteem, nobody on the city council bothered to get the movies filmed here. Other places like Toronto offer inscentives to movie makers, and are very cooperative, and we could have done the same, but it never occured to the idiots in charge, and the windfall passed us by. :Smack:

They filmed it in Hollywood, and the town in the movie bears absolutely no resemblance to Aurora. It was a completely fictional place with a real name stuck on it, which is the exact opposite of what you were talking about, which is to have a more or less real place with a fictional name.:idea:

The really pittiful part is that the fictional Aurora featured two very interesting hang-outs that simply don't exist: Stan Mikita's Donut Shop, and whatever that awesome night club (I forget the name of it). So if any curious tourists ever bothered to visit us, they must have been pretty disenchanted.:Shrug:

There was zero public outcry in town, by the way, further proving how richly we deserve the local title of "loser town". :sleepy:

----------

Well anyway, I have a real love/hate relationship with Aurora, which is why it's become a true character in the story I'm writing, and why in this case I intend to call it by name.

-----------

[Oklahoma Wolf]

That's great, and honestly, at one time I felt exactly the same. But, I wonder just how noble I will be if fame and money do present themselves.

I sometimes wonder too how I'd handle it if it did happen. I think I'd really like the money part, but I doubt fame will ever be very attractive to me. I'm too antisocial - it would get too stressful to be famous to the point of going on a talk show and then getting recognized everywhere. I don't handle stress very well... tends to give me writer's block if I don't manage it properly :(

[Nateskate]

I sometimes wonder too how I'd handle it if it did happen. I think I'd really like the money part, but I doubt fame will ever be very attractive to me. I'm too antisocial - it would get too stressful to be famous to the point of going on a talk show and then getting recognized everywhere. I don't handle stress very well... tends to give me writer's block if I don't manage it properly :(

I think that writers stand a much better chance of being a recluse if they'd like that. Then again, the Tolkiens all had to change their names to avoid the Dungeons and Dragons crowd that would just show up on their doorsteps.

You can always say "Not interested" when Oprah calls. That way if I'm second in line, my chances look better.

[JanaLanier]

You can always say "Not interested" when Oprah calls.

Didn't Jonathan Franzen do this when she wanted to use The Corrections for her book club? And his refusal caused the demise of her book club (which was resurrected last summer). He probably got more coverage out of the refusal than he would have by accepting her offer.

Oh, and BTW, I wouldn't even DREAM of saying no to Oprah!!

[Nateskate]

Didn't Jonathan Franzen do this when she wanted to use The Corrections for her book club? And his refusal caused the demise of her book club (which was resurrected last summer). He probably got more coverage out of the refusal than he would have by accepting her offer.

Oh, and BTW, I wouldn't even DREAM of saying no to Oprah!!

For the most part, I really like Oprah, although I don't see her much, depending on what time I get home from work. But she's generally classy. I didn't know about Jonathan Franzen.

[shugar]

If my book hit the best seller list and I went on to rake in lots of loot... I would quite my day job (veterinary assistant) buy some land, start an animal sanctuary for the homeless ones. Besides my little home on there, I would have a writers retreat for those who wanted to get away.... then I'd need a chef because I can't cook. :snoopy:

I would only go on Oprah if she dedicated the entire show to the plight of animals across North America.. overpopulation, puppy mills etc. I have a phobia of public speaking, she could probably just show my picture on the back of the book... :)

[Nateskate]

If my book hit the best seller list and I went on to rake in lots of loot... I would quite my day job (veterinary assistant) buy some land

I have a phobia of public speaking, she could probably just show my picture on the back of the book... :)

1) Quiting the day job and getting that land is so appealing to many of us.

2) I've noticed that many writers have a phobia of public speaking. And the irony is that nothing is more public than a written page at Barnes and Nobles or a public library.

My mind is tinkering with a definition here, because it seems that most that have this phobia have a knack and desire for public expression. And so, they express much deeper thoughts than most could ever express at a podium. So, it's not a "communication" phobia. At some point, maybe on another site, it would be a great topic to ask exactly what the specific fears that people have are? I'm sure it would have many different answers.

[edfrzr]

What if we are already living the dream and we find that when we die is when we truly wake up.

Take every advantage, smell every rose, kiss every child; if you do what you love the world will beat a path to your door.

Wow, my dream; at this point is just to get published. There are so many options, so many different directions one could take and not all of them are good. I would love to have the knowledge that I would not have to spend years acquiring.

You know what, I think I'll send my manuscript to Oprah. Maybe she can help.

There are two sayings that stick out in my mind (actually three).

1. If you do what you love you will never work a day in your life. Confucious

2. A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable but more useful than a life spent doing nothing at all. George Bernard Shaw

3. It doesn't matter whether you believe you can or whether you believe you can't, because whatever you believe you're absolutely right. (not sure who--wish it had been me).

So, as most of you can see, I too aspire for the greatness that comes from being published; even if it is in my own mind.

I wish all of you the best. Please save room on your coat tails for me.

[ZaZ]

Television, bleh.

I'd deal with Oprah just to sit in a room with that many screaming women.
Woooooooooooooooooooooooh!
Then I would open the flask of cognac I brought and chug it while bellowing, "Shut up! Just shut the *hoo-haw* up!

As far as the question at hand, I don't really care. The bestseller list doesn't intrigue me so much as it seems filled with rot most of the time. It's the last place I look for literature. I prefer the aromatic confines of obscure used bookstores carrying $10 hardcovers of old books.

1. THE BROKER, by John Grisham - No thanks, I'd rather eat lint.
2. THE DA VINCI CODE, by Dan Brown - Hasn't everyone on the planet read this already?
3. THE FIVE PEOPLE YOU MEET IN HEAVEN, by Mitch Albom - I liked Tuesdays, so I'd consider this if it was a gift.
4. SURVIVOR IN DEATH, by J. D. Robb - What is this? Some fictional account of reality television?
5. STATE OF FEAR, by Michael Crichton - Puke

I'll take McSorley's Wonderful Saloon over anything on the "list."
Scr-eek! Scr-eek!

Fame, you can have it. I'll take the fortune but get that camera out of my yard. "Yes, I am mowing naked."

[Nateskate]

What if we are already living the dream and we find that when we die is when we truly wake up.

Take every advantage, smell every rose, kiss every child; if you do what you love the world will beat a path to your door.

Wow, my dream; at this point is just to get published. There are so many options, so many different directions one could take and not all of them are good. I would love to have the knowledge that I would not have to spend years acquiring.

You know what, I think I'll send my manuscript to Oprah. Maybe she can help.

There are two sayings that stick out in my mind (actually three).

1. If you do what you love you will never work a day in your life. Confucious

2. A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable but more useful than a life spent doing nothing at all. George Bernard Shaw

3. It doesn't matter whether you believe you can or whether you believe you can't, because whatever you believe you're absolutely right. (not sure who--wish it had been me).

So, as most of you can see, I too aspire for the greatness that comes from being published; even if it is in my own mind.

I wish all of you the best. Please save room on your coat tails for me.

Caucer couldn't have said it any better

[shugar]

2) I've noticed that many writers have a phobia of public speaking. And the irony is that nothing is more public than a written page at Barnes and Nobles or a public library.

My mind is tinkering with a definition here, because it seems that most that have this phobia have a knack and desire for public expression. And so, they express much deeper thoughts than most could ever express at a podium.

I also have this fear of being on tv..., hate being photographed... extreme shyness? I think it's more of the act of speaking and screwing up. I blush something terrible....if I still drank, which I don't, a couple of Dirty Mothers would fix me right up, no prob :Thumbs:

[reph]

Many people are afraid of public speaking. Does it go double for writers? Does anyone know?

"If you do what you love, you will never work a day in your life." Delightfully ambiguous.

[Nateskate]

I also have this fear of being on tv..., hate being photographed... extreme shyness? I think it's more of the act of speaking and screwing up. I blush something terrible....if I still drank, which I don't, a couple of Dirty Mothers would fix me right up, no prob :Thumbs:

Well, as I'm becoming increasingly less photogenic, I'm not thrilled to be captured on a camera. It's just that I don't like the outcome. When I was a bit photogenic, I never minded at all. So, I presume I have "Wounded Ego Disease".

Shyness is really a rather interesting thing. It's not like a medical diagnosis. And obviously there are multiple reasons, but you've heard the expression, "Coming out of your shell". Generally speaking, shyness in many shy people is simply their comfort zone. It's not "who they are" or even "who they want to be."

Some people might actually prefer solitude and a back seat, but in general, they aren't considered shy, but laid back. Most people who consider themselves shy, either find some advantage to being where they are, or they dislike where they are, and really want to come out of their shell. So, in those cases there's a bit of fear of being judged perhaps?

My brother was considered shy growing up. Now he never hesitates to speak his mind. You'd say "He came out of his shell. Well, no one likes being in a shell I imagine, unless its just safer there. And I can understand why it does seem safer there, but I'd also imagine I'd be frustrated, wanting to express myself.

I wasn't considered shy, but in a sense, it was just as much a means of hiding. I used sense of humor to sort of make my place, being a class clown and such. But as a class clown, I still had my hidden side. It was an external means of hiding. "Tears of a clown...when no one's around." (Smokey Robinson)

[SheliaRudesill]

I have to confess that I've tried to convince Oprah's people to let Oprah read my book. I even entered the "My Wildest Dream" contest. My first novel is an Oprah book, except that it has a happy ending. The story is true and one of the stories is about a baby I wanted to adopt back in 1969. The baby was/is Black and I am white. My wildest dream would be for him to knock on my door and say, "Hi. I'm Michael." Instead Oprah grants stupid wishes that nobodys meet some celebrity.

Of course I wanted to give my book some Oprah type exposure but my husband found out that unless the print run for a book is something like 150,000 she's not interested!

I've given away about 100 copies of my first novel for reviews, to get book signings, to get the book into stores for consignment and as gifts to influential "stars" and media people. You guessed it. Nothing happened.

I'll have to come up with another way to get rich and retire!

[Nateskate]

I have to confess that I've tried to convince Oprah's people to let Oprah read my book. I even entered the "My Wildest Dream" contest. My first novel is an Oprah book, except that it has a happy ending. The story is true and one of the stories is about a baby I wanted to adopt back in 1969. The baby was/is Black and I am white. My wildest dream would be for him to knock on my door and say, "Hi. I'm Michael." Instead Oprah grants stupid wishes that nobodys meet some celebrity.

Of course I wanted to give my book some Oprah type exposure but my husband found out that unless the print run for a book is something like 150,000 she's not interested!

I've given away about 100 copies of my first novel for reviews, to get book signings, to get the book into stores for consignment and as gifts to influential "stars" and media people. You guessed it. Nothing happened.

I'll have to come up with another way to get rich and retire!


Well, don't feel too bad, I'm still 150,000 books away from my goal! LOL

[Mistook]

They could print a million copies of my book, it's just not Oprah material. Maybe Terry Gross... just maybe... if I'm lucky. :)

[Nateskate]

They could print a million copies of my book, it's just not Oprah material. Maybe Terry Gross... just maybe... if I'm lucky. :)

You are right. Oprah seems to like certain types of books, and I'm sure that many authors wouldn't fit her show. I don't see her as a S. King type, but he could get on his show, simply because he's so famous and has so much to talk about, that he'd draw a large audience.

I'm talking about obscure writers in general. Would my book fit her crowd? I'm not sure. I think I'd be an interesting interview at anyrate.