Easter's Lilly

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Who Wants to be a Millionaire?

I am sure you have all heard that if you’re looking to become rich, don’t become a writer. “You’ll never make any real money that way,” they all say to me. I can’t help but notice that Rick Riordan and JK Rowling are certainly singing a different tune. However, we all know that people who are successful in such gigantic proportions are not really the norm, but more like the occasional success story.

So where do we go from here? I know some writers who decide to write for the market: Figure out what’s hot and go for it. Then there are those who continue to follow their instincts and satisfy their craving to write the way they always have. They continue to draw breath into their storylines with their own style, answering the cries that taunt them in their imagination while they are trying to sleep or get something productive done.  Who is right anyway? Will any of us really ever see our characters up in lights someday? I’m pretty sure that Stephanie Meyer had no idea what a huge success she was going to become with her Twilight Series.

So I say, go for it! Write, edit, publish, market and push as hard as you can to make your dreams come true. If you can see it, you can become it.

I believe it was Dale Carnegie who said, “The person who goes farthest is generally the one who is willing to do and dare. The sure-thing boat never gets far from shore.”




10 comments:

  1. It is much like your son who may be a really good high school basketball player, for instance. The NBA and their millions cannot be the only goal. It may/can be one goal, until you find that isn't going to happen. But, there are many good careers available along the way, many ways to find success. The writer is often different because we have that inner voice that speaks to us and populates what we write. Still, having 'be a millionaire' as a goal, may be ok; but it better be just one of several goals, or you are doomed to certain disappointment. If it should happen, then is the time to say, 'well, that is what I meant to do.' But, in the meantime, there are many other goals, at many levels, that can bring great satisfaction, and perhaps, monetary success. But, even monetary success can come well short of being a millionaire. One opinion. Thanks for asking. I'll look forward to other responses! ;-)
    You can see my attempts at:
    http://thehomeplaceseries.blogspot.com/

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  2. I certainly agree, Bill. Although it is certainly a dream of mine to be as successful as Nora, I am personally thrilled just to be published. I am one of those people with the story lines crying out to be written. But I have always been a big dreamer. So, while my goals are to bring up a wonderful family, live happily and comfortably and help others do the same, my reach will probably always exceed my grasp.

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  3. Goals should be set just beyond your grasp. That is the secret... and goal setting does work, if done properly (old professor talking, now!). It one theory of behavior that has been proven over and over. Set clear, specify goals, with time limits that are measurably. You will succeed. ;-)

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  4. I already feel like a "millionaire" - not because I'm published, because I'm not - but rather like a "millionaire" because I have discovered such wonderful treasures, known as fellow authors, whom I continue to "uncover" along the path while on this ever-so-exciting journey of writing. Writing also allows me to release my creativity the best way I am physically able to do so, and that is yet another "million" in the bank for me. I keep my goal in life simple; I strive to put a smile on one person's face a day, whether by sharing a story, a photo, a post, or a tweet. Any additional faces over that one I condiser a bonus. :)

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  5. I have never done anything artistic for money. Money is the last thing I think about. And I'm so used to being a starving artist, I wouldn't know what to do with myself if I were ever to be successful. I'd probably give all my money away because I'm so happy and rich already, being broke as an unknown!

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  6. My writing has given me 'millions' in therapy.Though the books came about by accident I have made good friends who have brought me out a litt;le further from my shell. I may never be rich or become a household name, though these are still hopes and aspirations but I have derived ggreat pleasure from the comments of my readers and am happy knowing that I have at least created a smile and caused a laugh somewhere on the planet.

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  7. Shoot for the moon, but stay grounded and realistic. It is a tough world out there and even harder to get noticed and rise from among the nearly 1 million books printed each year.

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  8. I agree with you all. Janet, Susie and David, I have made some amazing friends since I became an author and I feel so very blessed. I was a singer way before I ever became an author and LOVED it even though it was never really a money making opportunity. I think loving what you do is half the battle. But Shawn you are so right...stay grounded and shoot for the moon!

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  9. Great post, Judy. I've never been one to try to write to trends and make it big that way. I write the stories that I feel need to be told, and then I work hard to get them published. Who knows how much money writing will make me. All I know is that each year is bringing me more success than the last, and I can't complain about that.

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  10. Thank you for sharing that, Kelly. I do the same. I never even thought any of my novels would see a publisher, so it has been very exciting. I think we have to write what we love and that is what makes a successful author.

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