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"Are you famous? You know . . . like the person who wrote the Hunger Games." I must admit that I was shocked when I was asked this question by a 10 year-old who was just told by her teacher that I was an author, but that made me stop and think. What is famous anyway? Is it some shooting star that rocks the New York Times Book list? Or, a first time author whose book sells a million copies? To the world, yes. But for me, I have to ask, "Is being famous really important in my writing journey?"
Famous, by Webster's definition, is someone who is "widely known; honored for achievement." Hunger Games author, Suzanne Collins, definitely fits that bill. I know because I became a fan of hers with the Underland Chronicles, and it just made sense to stick with her when her Hunger Games trilogy came out. She has millions of fans, and to most people, fans determine whether an author is famous or not. But are fans they only thing that determine whether an author is famous or not? Remember the second part of that definition--honored for an achievement?
When I take stock of what I have accomplished since I retired in 2012 and began my new career as a writer and author, I have several achievements that I am proud of. My children's articles have seen the light of day thanks to Guardian Angel Kids, my non-fiction book The Great Camel Experiment of the Old West was published, and I was able to self-publish my first picture book thanks to my family of supporters. In addition, my first Tween Novel was just contracted by MuseitUp Publishing. And, I am happy to say that each article, short story, and book was written because of an overwhelming need to put the idea on paper--a need to accomplish a goal--and a need to fulfill my dream of becoming a writer and an author--a need to keep walking on my journey.
I really think that it takes more than fans to be considered famous. In my journey, I've been blessed with the friendships of an inspiring group of writers--aspiring, published, and accomplished. Not one of them considers herself and himself to be famous, but each one of them is famous to me. Why? Because of their desire to write, their determination to do the hard stuff even if there is not recognition, their willingness to encourage every new writer as well as each other, and their love of the written word. I am a fan of every single one of them.
But if the world only looks to fans for a determination of successfully achieving fame, then I truly am famous because my 10 year-old grand daughter answered her classmate's question, "Are you famous?" with "She is to me."
Famous, by Webster's definition, is someone who is "widely known; honored for achievement." Hunger Games author, Suzanne Collins, definitely fits that bill. I know because I became a fan of hers with the Underland Chronicles, and it just made sense to stick with her when her Hunger Games trilogy came out. She has millions of fans, and to most people, fans determine whether an author is famous or not. But are fans they only thing that determine whether an author is famous or not? Remember the second part of that definition--honored for an achievement?
When I take stock of what I have accomplished since I retired in 2012 and began my new career as a writer and author, I have several achievements that I am proud of. My children's articles have seen the light of day thanks to Guardian Angel Kids, my non-fiction book The Great Camel Experiment of the Old West was published, and I was able to self-publish my first picture book thanks to my family of supporters. In addition, my first Tween Novel was just contracted by MuseitUp Publishing. And, I am happy to say that each article, short story, and book was written because of an overwhelming need to put the idea on paper--a need to accomplish a goal--and a need to fulfill my dream of becoming a writer and an author--a need to keep walking on my journey.
I really think that it takes more than fans to be considered famous. In my journey, I've been blessed with the friendships of an inspiring group of writers--aspiring, published, and accomplished. Not one of them considers herself and himself to be famous, but each one of them is famous to me. Why? Because of their desire to write, their determination to do the hard stuff even if there is not recognition, their willingness to encourage every new writer as well as each other, and their love of the written word. I am a fan of every single one of them.
But if the world only looks to fans for a determination of successfully achieving fame, then I truly am famous because my 10 year-old grand daughter answered her classmate's question, "Are you famous?" with "She is to me."
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