Comments on: What’s Your Definition Of Lucky?

By: kate

kate — Sun, 20 Mar 2005 01:25:12 +0000

I sort of get the meaning, but . . . if I ever say anything like that in front of any unpubbed, the unpubbed — whether she knows me or not — is allowed to thump me longside the head. Seriously.

By: Steph T.

Steph T. — Sat, 19 Mar 2005 13:57:52 +0000

Well said, HelenKay! I’m ready and willing to trade one set of problems for another. Immediately.

Not that I’m impatient or anything.:wink:

By: cece

cece — Sat, 19 Mar 2005 10:31:04 +0000

Great post Helen! Frankly, if I were one of those unpubbed authors, I’d be offended. It comes off very diva-ish and condescending (or I’m taking it totally out of context).
Larissa I love your analogy! Unfortunately I don’t think you have to be published to lose that fun feeling (and I”m not saying being published makes it not fun anymore–this is what I get for blog hopping at 4 AM ) but like everyone else has said each level brings it’s own set of issues to deal with, whether you’re just starting out, on the cusp of selling or a NY Times bestselling author.

By: Charlene

Charlene — Sat, 19 Mar 2005 04:10:34 +0000

Um. Wow. I love being published! It rocks! Yes, my job is more complicated now and I didn’t get more hours in a day to accommodate that, but I expected that.

There is no thrill like The Call. Or seeing your work for sale for the first time. It’s huge.

By: Evangeline

Evangeline — Fri, 18 Mar 2005 19:11:13 +0000

I agree with HelenKay. Being published(or newly published) is an affirmation of those hours you spent, typing out a story you weren’t sure was right, or was good, or was readable. Each level of the publishing world–from being unpublished to newly published to three years under your belt to ten years–each comes with a new and different level of responsibility, but being unpublished doesn’t mean a lack a type of responsibility that a published author may have. I recognize and acknowledge the responsiblity I will have when I do sell, but I’ll refrain from looking back because it would only hinder me from accepting and carrying my new responsibility.

By: Larissa

Larissa — Fri, 18 Mar 2005 19:10:27 +0000

I have to wonder who thinks that getting the call is the answer to all their problems. I think anyone with any sense realizes that you are trading one set of problems for another. But that’s the goal. I WANT that set of problems.

Reminds me of adults who tell children to enjoy their childhood because they don’t have responsibility and they can spend all day playing. Adults who say, “I wish I were a child again.” Well, not me. I wouldn’t go back to my childhood for anything. I MUCH prefer being an adult. So I may very well MUCH prefer being a published author! *g*

And LUCKY? If being published is so awful, they can always quit.

By: Jordan

Jordan — Fri, 18 Mar 2005 18:31:23 +0000

Devil’s advocate: I miss contests too. I didn’t realize how much until I couldn’t enter them anymore. Like Sylvia said, the waiting doesn’t stop once you’re published, especially if you’re newly published. Nor do the rejections. They just have a bigger impact. Unpublished authors worry about ever getting published and published authors worry about getting the chance to publish again. I’ve realized this is the stage that actually weeds out many writers. You’re published, but you’re not really established. Your career can go either way and there’s not a whole helluva lot you can do about it beyond writing the best book you can.

I personally wouldn’t have had that conversation in front of two unpublished authors, but I do understand where the published authors were coming from. They miss the ‘fun’ part of writing.