Always Another Story

Well, I'm just about there.

Only seven chapters left to edit (along with a handful of other preparations) and I can send the manuscript off to Stan for the last time. :)

You know, I've been thinking about writing and why I do it. I've read authors' bios and 'how-to' books and they all talk about why they write. Most of them say the same thing--'because I have to' or 'it's like an addiction--I can't stop!' Almost all of them will tell you frankly that you shouldn't do it for the fame or money. There isn't much to be had.

Of course, there are exceptions. JK Rowling threw the whole world for a loop with her genius and she deserves every penny and every moment of glory her work produced.

But what about the rest of us? We can't all be Rowlings and there are countless brilliant writers out there who deserve far, far more money and fame than they will ever receive.

And I don't even fit in the brilliant category.

I know it's most likely that if I do manage to find a publisher, I'll sell a few books, collect one or two good reviews, a whole lot more bad ones, be generally ignored, collect a handful of fans, and generally be unrecognizable to the few people who have read my book. The money I get will be just enough to take my family to Disneyland once or give my kids one good Christmas.

This is what I've heard. Do I believe it? You bet.

But why? Why shouldn't I be the next Rowling? Why not daydream of fame, fortune, and glamorous interviews?

Because, my friends, that's not why I write. Oh, I'll admit I have my daydreaming moments, but then reality always sinks in and I smile at myself. Castles in Spain, as my husband and I call them, are lovely as long as you remember reality is a lot more substantial and satisfying.

So why do I write? My husband once asked me that question. "What if your book doesn't sell?" he asked. "What if you don't even find a publisher?"

I laughed. "I'll write the next one. There's always another story."

I'm not the first writer to say it and I certainly won't be the last, but I write because I have to, because it's like an addiction. I love it!