And to n.l., my approach is similar to yours (DIY with our own Imprint see http://www.backtoonebooks.com) we keep this Indie trend up and, what?, one or two hundred years it won’t matter who got what book deal. Right?

I won’t do it.

:)

The piriformis syndrome is a condition in which the piriformis muscle irritates the sciatic nerve, causing pain in the buttocks and referring pain along the course of the sciatic nerve. This referred pain, called “sciatica”, often goes down the back of the thigh and/or into the lower back. Patients generally complain of pain deep in the buttocks, which is made worse by sitting, climbing stairs, or performing squats. The piriformis muscle assists in abducting and laterally rotating the thigh. In other words, while balancing on the left foot, move the right leg directly sideways away from the body and rotate the right leg so that the toes point towards the ceiling. This is the action of the right piriformis muscle.

ellen – Isn’t my mom cool? I like her.

Ric – I think this is what it does for me, too – I push harder.

Tish – Mine doesn’t usually scrub off.

Jordan – Amen to that. Listen to the journeys of most writers and they’re tough. The worst would be to finally get published and not have your friends reading and promoting your work. Saying “yay” is not enough at all.

Jason – Yep, aren’t they cool? And guys, if you haven’t checked out Jason’s blog, The Publishing Spot, you’re missing out.

Daryl – Wow, I think what you said about friends/acquaintances applies to my feelings about writing much of the time: “the pain of wanting to be liked and included and understood, then to not be, has given me enough sadness to write tomes.”

I’m going to steal this for Friday’s Wrap: “The success of my writing is in another person reading it and feeling moved.”

Aurelio – I’m glad you’re writing away! xo

Mary – I agree. Jordan’s a beauty.

Kaytie – My friends and I have often been in direct competition – in talks with a publisher and they sign a friend, winners v. finalists in writing competitions, and so on. The friendships are all still there, so I guess there’s no long term damage, but it can sting, whichever end of it you’re on – bride or bridesmaid.

Jonathan – You need to talk to Robin Slick. I have a feeling your paths have crossed.

Lauren – Ha! I love those of you who tell it like it is.

Robin – Yes yes yes. It’s the self-doubt that stings. That they are good and talented and you suck. I know exactly where you’re coming from.

Aimee – We’re not your friends??

EminemsRevenge – I agree, you certainly find out who’s who once you have some success.

Greg – Yeah, but you’ll be one of those young, handsome lucky ones who breaks through early and then we’ll all hate you.

MOM – XO!

Terry – When I want to interview someone, I usually just post it on the blog with a link, and if they get in touch it’s a go. I always like proactive and enthusiastic types. If I have to work too hard, I lose interest.

Bernita – I need to go look up “piriformis”.

Betsy – That sounds like an absolutely awesome friendship. How lucky you both found success at the same time … and rare.

Mary – You know what, though, we both know someone who got that big advance a short story deal right out of the gates, and I felt a joy like I’ve never felt that finally it happened the way you always dreamed it could. That you could be young and a great writer and have the process take it easy on you and not have to suffer the years of doubt and having one door after another slammed in your face. I was surprised, in fact, that I didn’t feel jealous. But I did feel like, damn, if it could only work like that more often.

mikel k – Yep, fame and success sure helps to show the strengths and gaps in friendships. I enjoy reading your poems each day, by the way. I haven’t stopped by to tell you in a while, but thanks for putting yourself out there without the filters.

Julie – I’m so glad you got to see Amy read. I’m jealous!

Aline – Welcome! And here’s to you writing something you can’t wait to send out!

Kelly – Ha!

Second, I’m glad Aurelio finally checked in (even if it was only to call me a pest) because I didn’t want to have to go on strike.

Okay, to your comments…

n.l. – Interesting that the success of friends makes you more driven. I hadn’t considered that before. I’m very excited about what you’re doing over there with Noveltown! I think you guys are going to be big.

Simon – I think the number of years between the “I hope it happens for me” might be big here. This whole conversation is fascinating to me and much fuller than I expected.

amy – You are not alone there. I think the search for an agent part of the process might be the most demoralizing of all. (Some day, I’ll post my opinion about agents. When I’m feeling more courageous.)

Ellen – I do happen to think there are a precious few slots – for the big books, anyway, the Rushdie-popular books. But I also think each time a friend makes it, it shows the strength that the company you keep is pushing you to write at a higher level, and you get that much more insider information that helps you navigate the system.

Ania – Welcome to LitPark!

*Joe* – I’m going to do mind-reading in the future. I’ll be digging around in the back corners of your brain looking for goodies. Hey, did you ever sell your 9-11 piece? If not, I know someone for you to talk to.

Myf – Hi!

Kim – I’ll check out that link. And I agree, there’s nothing like having writer/artist friends. They get it. The whole journey.

Richard – Hee.

Gail – And the flip side, the thing I struggle with, which is I would love for my writing to earn an income so I could give something back to my family. I don’t need my lifestyle to change so much as to feel I’m contributing.

I heartily applaud the success of others, as long as it is deserved. My parents drummed fair play into me pretty hard, so I bristle when people succeed because of who they know (or do) rather than for the work itself.

Fortunately, those successes don’t really seem to last if the work is genuinely sucky, so I’m learning to cope better and let time root them out. Getting older does have its good side.

Success, or what we choose to point to as success, is usually the fleeting part anyway, isn’t it? Best-seller lists change, we break the tape, get to yell “bingo” for a split-second, get the cup that then sits on the mantel collecting dust.

The part that sticks with me is the building of something, that creative process stuff.

And that can only really be measured by ourselves.

I would love to make a lot of money though…

As for comparing myself, my successes (or lack of) to other writers? I don’t do it. Because no one can write what I write. The success of my writing is in another person reading it and feeling moved.