Questions about the writer's life.....

My fellow blogger friend Rebecca Knight posted these questions and her own answers on her blog today: http://rebeccaknightbooks.blogspot.com/2009/08/goals-how-do-you-know-when-youre.html
Her answers were very intriguing and inspired me to blog about them too!

Here are the questions and my answers!

1) Why am I writing?

I write because story ideas float into my brain and I need to get the ideas on paper (or computer screen). I truly enjoy creating my own little world and sharing my stories with people. I feel so satisfied when someone tells me they loved a story I wrote or could identify with one of my characters. I write becuase I love to give the reader someone to identify with and a story they can lose themselves in...a story that makes them laugh and cry and feel a whole range of emotions.

2) How long do I want to do this, even if I never get any credit or money from my work?

As long as I have the motivation...and right now I have boatloads of it!

3) How much rejection can I take?

So far, I've taken a lot. There were many times I asked myself what the point of putting myself through it all was. Would I be doing this year after year...and never get anywhere? My self pity is usually short lived and I snap out of and find the determination to get back to work, hone my craft, make the next project even better...the ONE that will catch someone's attention!

4) How much time do I want to spend on my goals, versus with my family, friends, and pillow?

I try to balance it all. I will not give up quality time with my family, but they also understand that writing is an important part of my life, just as anyone's career is. My family is proud of me and they do what they can to give me the time I need to work on my writing. As far as the pillow goes....when i only had one kid....I had no problems staying up late and writing till 2 am....but nwo that I;m a few years older and have a second child....can;t work that late anymroe! Once I am tired...I find it really hard to be creative. Some days are doiferent than others. If I am in writing/creative mode...I get in a groove and I find it hard to stop. But if I am in editing mode (like now) if I'm tired, I find it hard to concentrate.

5) What do I want to achieve Big Picture?

I want to walk into Borders or Barnes and Noble and see my book sitting on one of the tables when you walk in or see it on the Best Seller shelf. I want to overhear soemone talking about "how good this book is" and see them pick it up and recommend it to their friend...and it's my book they are talking about. I want to be someone's favorite author. I want to make money doing something I love...something that brings me this much joy! And not millions...just enough to make us comfortable and not always worrying about money!

6) Will I be satisfied when I get there?

Yes! I hope so! But who knows...when that happens (and I say "when" because I sincerely hope I will never ever give up on this dream)...maybe I will want more and I will make a new goal!

7) Am I satisfied if I never get there?

I don't know. Probably not.

8) What steps do I have to take to achieve that Big Picture thing?

I need to find an agent, who will sell my book to a print publisher. I've already gotten my foot in with an ePublisher..so I'm super excited about that!! I'm hoping that after I pubblish a few books with them, that will help me land an agent. As ecstatic as I am to be epublished (and I truly do believe it's the future of publishing) I don't think I will ever lose my desire to hold my printed book in my hands.

9) Which one needs to be achieved first?

Well, I signed a contract with an ePublisher, so I guess that means step 1 has been achieved!!

10) What is my support system?

My husband, my family, my girlfriends (who love to read everything I write and give me very useful feedback), my writers group (my writing soulmates), and all my blogging friends in cyberspace!!

11) How will I feel if I never achieve this? Is it worth trying anyway?

I will be sad but I've already achieved way more than I thought I would. I am happy with where I am so far and if this is as far as I go, I will be happy. But if I never see my name in print on the cover of my novel...I know I'll never feel quite as accomplished as I want. Is it worth trying anyway?? Yes. I'll always have these stories...published or not. I have somehting to leave behind when I'm gone.

What are your answers???