We all have writers we look up to for their body of work, their fame, the adulation they receive, and maybe even the islands they own.
Whose career would you most like to emulate? Would you go for the fame, riches, awards, or all of the above?
Which writer’s life do you look at and say: I want that.
Wanda B. Ontheshelves says
Erma Bombeck.
Neil Gaiman.
Christina Rossetti.
(Just helping myself to others' choices).
Right now I'm reading 5 collected/selected poems:
Dorothy Parker
Carl Sandburg
HD (Hilda Doolittle)
Robinson Jeffers
Edna St. Vincent Millay
I'm also rereading bio of Louise Bryant (female half of journalist duo depicted in the movie Reds)
What they all have in common (except for Bryant)…poets who weren't professors, starting out before that poet-in-academe tidal wave post-WWII…if I have my history right…I think I do…poets who went on and wrote in different genres, fiction, biography, children's books, plays, screenplays…
Now mix that all in with the career of multimedia concept art priestess Yoko Ono (well obviously there's one part I'd want to leave out)…throw in that guy who invented the pet rock, and others who invent brilliantly simple toys that sell in the millions…
…yes that is the writer's career I'd most like to emulate.
Samantha Rose says
James Joyce, just so I could write like James Joyce! Or Joyce Carol Oates because I want to someday be as prolific as she is.
Susan Farrell says
I would combine Douglas Coupland (because he has modern flavour) with Fyodor Dostoyevsky (because he has an intellectual quality) with J.K. Rowling (because people actually line up to read her work).
Although Truman Capote seemed to have a pretty exciting career.
Jim Bessey says
John D. MacDonald, period, end of ponder. Yeah, that's a very high bar.
Curtis says
Hemingway. Except for the end.
Shelby says
"Which writer's life do you look at and say: I want that."
Pat Conroy.
I say that NOT because of fame or all that rot. I say that because he gets me. He writes from the deepest part of his soul.. and reaches the deepest parts of my soul.
THAT, my friend is what I want. I want to write like that.
I want to say what I need to say, and have it mean something. Truly mean something.
Jane George says
I read all of the comments and didn't see a mention of Dick Francis. What an amazing life!
And while I do not envy Terry Pratchett, I admire him for his body of work and for being the pioneering spokesperson for Alzheimer's disease.
As for my career, I'll take anyone who's work is genuine, works on many levels, and who has then sold their work to larger or different media.
Curtis says
I posted before I read through all of the comments and I was shocked to see someone say THE EXACT SAME THING AS ME. Verbatim. What are the odds of that? So, I'm revising my "Hemingway. Except for the end." post. Now it will read:
Hemingway. Except for the tragic end.
Aidan Ryan says
Salmaan Rushdie – greatest life ever, and he's clearly happy, despite the fatwa and all.
Sue M. says
Stephen King, minus the car wreck.
Kat says
I'd like my writing career to be a mix of Neil Gaiman, Nora Roberts and J.K. Rowling's careers. Neil pretty much crosses boundaries by working on books, comics, movies and animation. Nora's very prolific and though she mostly writes for the romance genre, she expands them that they also take in fantasy and sci-fi. J.K. Rowling for simply being able to capture the imagination of people of all ages. I'd like my works to be diverse, well-loved and remembered.
Cam Snow says
Hank Moody (don't you just love Californication?)
therese says
Mitch Albom because he wrote one little book that transformed the lives of many – for the better. He also continues with the career in sports journalism he loves, and writes other books without worrying about genre requirements.
Vacuum Queen says
Tomie Depaola. No question.
PacRim Jim says
Tony Hillerman.
Jackie Brown says
Richard Price, because he has never written in a medium in which he didn't excel: novels, films, commentary, television (The Wire-wow!), Michael Jackson's "Bad" video–all the while remaining a hardcore New Yorker who never left town.
Toni Morrison…no further explanation needed.
Missed Periods says
I'd settle for a glimpse into Toni Morrison's brain when she wrote Jazz.
mkcbunny says
I guess I'm echoing a lot of people here.
For groundbreaking work and truly individual career: Ursula K. Le Guin.
For storytelling grace and cross-media appeal, Neil Gaiman.
For narrative complexity and style, Michael Chabon.
But maybe for my sensibility, Margaret Atwood is the best match.
mkcbunny says
Oh, and Dan Simmons. For being able to conceive works on an immense scale, and the ability to regularly and quickly produce incredibly complex work.
electricether says
As a scriptwriter, I'd have to say either David Lynch or Quentin Tarantino. Lynch writes, films, and still manages to do his art – much like I do. Tarantino has the popularity and a writing style that I really enjoy. Its twisted, funny, action packed, dramatic…I'd have to say a mix of both.
Lorelei Armstrong says
Doris Lessing.
patriciamar says
Nick Hornby or maybe Jennifer Weiner
B.E. Sanderson says
Lynn Viehl (aka SL Viehl). And not because she's gotten over 40 books published in ten years. She's a sharp lady and her books are so well written.
Mechelle Fogelsong says
Jane Yolen. She has longevity.
Gilliad says
I would have to say Michael Crichton. I loved his ability to research and create a story that made you think while keeping the suspense rolling. I would love to be able to create stories like Crichton.
Jessie says
JK Rowling, Neil Gaiman, and Tad Williams. Because they write amazing, original books. And the latter two write across different genres, which is something I would like to do.
Marissa says
J.K. Rowling. Mostly I just want my own theme park.
Anonymous says
John Banville has led a very quiet life that I quite like. Maybe throw in a spark of some better known authors as well… but if I can make a living writing fiction, I will call my life a success.
Anonymous says
OT:
Nathan can we have an I've-got-cabin-fever-but-thank-God-it's-almost-spring-contest of some sort?
Seeing as how we didn't get to go to Mexico with you?
Cat says
Astrid Lindgren
Not only did she write wonderful books, she also was very active in her country, fighting for what she believed right (animal rights, rights for children etc).
Purenight says
The Apostle Paul because of the longevity of his letters, Dean Koontz for his perspective and style, Dr. Seuss for approachability and simplicity, Stephen King for his proficiency and money, and Edgar Allan Poe for his mystery and thorough experience using opium.
Pete says
James Gordon Farrell (If we can leave out the Polio.)
Exceptionally accomplished writer, but not famous outside of literary circles. I'm not really after money, though I'd not complain at enough to be comfortable, and I definitely would not want fame.
GhostFolk.com says
Salinger, of course.
Btw, still laughing riotously at yesterday's post. You executed that little post so perfectly, Mr. Bransford!
katieleigh says
Madeleine L'Engle. Fiction, poetry, nonfiction, awards and a loving family. You can't beat that.
Pam Harris says
I would definitely have to say Courtney Summers. She writes in the genre I write (contemporary YA), and is SOOO good at it. It's like she really knows how the teenaged mind thinks. Plus, she's also represented by my dream agent, so that may have something to do with it. 🙂
Kelly Boyce says
For her writing ability – Maribeth Fischer. She can hit on emotions with words that read like poetry. For believing in yourself and sticking with it despite having odds stacked against you – JK Rowling.
eBookNoir says
I don't know if I could pick just one, I'd have to say a mix of Neil Gaiman, Mickey Spillane, Hemingway, Fitzgerald, Vince Flynn, and probably a dozen others. I'd like to morph a little of each into my style, although that could make me come off as a chaotic mess, but I could live with that.
Capt
Anonymous says
Ann Patchett. She's had some big success with Bel Canto, but basically just writes beautiful books and has a pretty good readership. And, as another poster commented, she seems to live a nice quiet life. She also doesn't seem to get wrapped up in the facebook/twitter/blogosphere zone, which is just how I am. 🙂
Lynnsia C.S. says
Trenton Lee Stewart. He isn't that popular, but he published a series and it was really good.
K.L. Brady says
Terry McMillan!
She broke a lot of ground for African-American authors, particularly women writers. She also brought more social awareness about contemporary life in the mid-to upper-class black society. Before Waiting to Exhale, it felt like most of our most prominent stories were about slavery, civil rights, "the man," how to overcome "the man," how you survived life with "the man," dsyfunctional family life, or some combination thereof.
Her first book, Mama, had a kind of surviving in the lower class feel. Disappearing Acts had an aspect that dealt with "the man." Waiting to Exhale was just fun and relatable. She spoke a lot of truths about relationships between men and women which helped her work cross racial and class barriers. She paved the way for me to write the kinds of books that I write today. Her work doesn't get enough credit for that impact.
Plus she's has a couple of big movie deals…sure wouldn't mind that!
Weston and Hayley Bell says
I'd have to say I would like to emulate the riches of Rowling or Meyer, but I would daily life of Danielle Steel.
Scott says
Philip K. Dick's, probably, but where he doesn't die and gets involved in a number of projects including film and HBO type stuff.
Dick really wrote from his wheelhouse every time and influenced so many areas of pop culture with thoughtful and sometimes subversive fiction that was both literary and genre-friendly. He never seemed to compromise, and that's really where it's at for me.
Rebecca says
joyce carol oates or joan didion. they're both so versatile.
JTShea says
John T. Shea. Oh! That's me!
Okay, I second Nancy's and Gilliad's choice. Michael Crichton. Whether novel or movie or TV, he knew STORY is supreme. Without the untimely death, of course, though at least that was not caused by alcoholism or penury! I already have my own island. It’s called Ireland.
When someone comes up with an Author Career Emulation Program don't drive or operate machinery while in Kerouac mode!
Anonymous says
I have so many favorites and I love reading so many different genres that it would be impossible for me to choose. but here are some of my favorites. F scott FitzGerald, Ernest Hemingway, H.G. Wells, William Gibson, Jane Austin,
W.E.B. Griffin, C.S.Lewis, Robert Jordan, J.R.R.Tolkien, George R.R.Martin,James A.Michener,Cornelius Ryan,John Keegan, Charles Dickens, etc.etc. I could go on and on with this list so to wrap it up I would like to be able to tell a darn good yarn.
Heidi says
Well. I wouldn't want Samuel Beckett's life, but I'd certainly like his talent.
John says
Edward Bulwer-Lytton.
lystrawrote says
Hemmingway
War hero
Expatriate
Big Game Hunter
Correspondent
Fisherman
Writer
What else is there?
Andi Newton says
Neil Gaiman, for so many reasons. But I think most of all because he writes what interests him, people genuinely enjoy reading his work, and at the end of the day he's a nice guy who loves his friends, family, and fans — and truly enjoys what he does for a living.
Ted says
Paul Theroux. Less for the writing (though I think he's very good) than for his ability to turn traveling and interpreting the world into a career.
And Peter Matthiessen. Same reasons, even better writing.