Oprah Dreams

Nateskate · Feb 16, 2005

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 · Feb 16, 2005

My dream

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 · Feb 16, 2005

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 · Feb 16, 2005

To be a successful money making author

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 · Feb 16, 2005

Daughter of Faulkner said:
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 · Feb 16, 2005

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 · Feb 16, 2005

.....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.......

arrowqueen · Feb 16, 2005

I shall be a rich recluse.

BradyH1861 · Feb 16, 2005

arrowqueen said:
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 · Feb 17, 2005

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 · Feb 17, 2005

Just one

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 · Feb 17, 2005

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

Kate StAmour · Feb 17, 2005

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 · Feb 17, 2005

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 · Feb 17, 2005

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

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

Elizabeth · Feb 17, 2005

2 dreams:

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

Simple, right? Heh.

Nateskate · Feb 17, 2005

Susan Gable said:
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 · Feb 17, 2005

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 · Feb 17, 2005

So happy . . .

. . . 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 · Feb 17, 2005

Nateskate said:
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.

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

Kida Adelyne · Feb 17, 2005

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 · Feb 17, 2005

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 · Feb 17, 2005

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

Mistook · Feb 17, 2005

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 · Feb 17, 2005

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

Oprah Dreams

No, I'm little people now

Always a writer

Hold Fast.

An old, sappy, and happy one.

RIP, our sarky besom

Hold Fast.

wishes you happiness

Dreamer of dreams, teller of tales

Woooo Chaaaa!

The force is strong in this one.

RIP, our sarky besom

ElizabethJames

Dreamer of dreams, teller of tales

Me got zero cookies!

Puddle Jumper

Five by Five

Neverending WIP

Erotica is not a four letter word!