Fantasy Land

I often wonder what people's fantasies are about being a writer. When I was working as a book editor, I worked from home for the last ten years before I sold Spanish Disco. My fantasy about being a writer was fairly fulfilled by the lifestyle of a home office. I got to work in my pajamas. I got to listen to music as loud as I wanted. I never had to ask anyone for a day off. I didn't have to explain myself to a boss. I didn't have to worry about commuting. Or power suits. I was here for my kids. I edited books, earned a very nice living, was doing something I genuinely enjoyed, and wrote fiction on the side, dreaming of a time when I could sustain the lifestyle of working from home more with fiction than ghostwriting or editing.

But once I sold my novel, I never ONCE thought about a book signing.

I never thought about people writing me about my books, or people reading my blog. Or meeting people who would say, "Oh, I loved your book"--and then discussing themes with them.

I was propelled by a love of writing and a desire to work from home and have a more unconventional life.

But I wonder, often, about what compels other people. About what their fantasy of a writing life is. Is it that lottery dream--the seven-figure advance? Is it being famous? Signings? Adulation?

I have met all sorts of writers, and there's definitely a subset where ego is involved. There's a small group of "I'll show them by writing a book about my nasty ex-husband disguised as a novel"--the revenge book.

But for me, it was a lot simpler. So be REALLY honest--what fantasy about writing full-time are you buying into?

Because I would say wander over to my Demon Baby blog. The fantasy for most full-time writers isn't what you think it is.

But SOMETHING is compelling huge numbers of people to try to write the Great American Novel. No "I have to write" (Mark Terry's peeve). What is it about the dream that you're chasin'?