Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Who Needs the Lotto?

Last week one of the other temps I work with asked what I'd do if I won the lotto. He said he'd buy a humongous yacht and throw parties every night, and the other temp said she'd quit working and go on permanent vacation. I told him I'd travel the world, and write magazine articles about my adventures...and realized that's what I'm working towards - heck, what I'm already doing.

Who needs the lotto?

I'm mentioning this because it seems to me that most of the writers I know are creating their "dream writing lives" without an overabundance of money. And, their priorities are different than other people. What makes them happy aren't necessarily yachts or dream vacations, or those other material things that are unlikely to come about. What they - or I, at least - really want is to be published, the chance to share my thoughts, to help, to get the release that comes with writing things down.

And that's the great thing about being a writer.

What are the chances of winning the lotto?
1 in 3.5 million

What are the chances of creating the dream writing life?
100%

Sometimes I wish I could be one of those people who are happy with any old job, and not go through this struggle with submissions, rejections & writer insecurties. Other times, like last week, I realize how lucky I am to be on this path.

2 comments:

ACW said...

If you were like other people, you wouldn't be you....and that would be a tragedy!

Anne

Colleen said...

Aw, thanks so much. :)