closet_blogger ([info]closet_blogger) wrote,
@ 2006-06-17 23:05:00
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A QUESTION FOR THE BRAVE
If you won the lottery, and I mean the BIG one, would you still write? And if so, would you actively pursue publication or would you write solely for fulfillment?

And, no, in case you're wondering, I didn't win the lottery. In fact, it's highly unlikely that I will ever win the lottery since I rarely, rarely buy lottery tickets.

I was just wondering what I WOULD do if I knew I had all the money I'd ever need and didn't have to think about financial needs or a future career. And if I'm honest with myself (which I do strive to be) I think I would *probably* stop caring about publication and writing goals. I might still write if/when I felt like it, just for the pure enjoyment of it. But I think I'd put a lot more of my time and energy into volunteer work, and I'd satisfy my need for creativity in other areas that my family would notice and appreciate more. For example, A&C projects with the kiddies, food prep, gardening, decorating the house, sewing--I'd put a lot more focus on "homemaker"-type-creativity, instead of writer-creativity. I'm not 100% sure that's what I'd really do, since this is all just hypothetical and it's hard to know how I'd feel if it were really the case, but I've thought about it a lot and I *think* that's what I'd do. So what about you?

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[info]thatgirlygirl
2006-06-18 03:56 am UTC (link)
If I won the lottery, I'd write more often. And I'd probably open a children's theatre.

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[info]closet_blogger
2006-06-18 03:02 pm UTC (link)
Ooh! A children's theatre--that would be fun!

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[info]lillpluta
2006-06-18 04:00 am UTC (link)
I'd probably write more, because then I wouldn't be worried about bringing in income, and I would feel more free to write.

If I won the lottery right now, I'd pay off my current house and like give it to somebody or something.

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[info]closet_blogger
2006-06-18 03:04 pm UTC (link)
That's what I thought at first, but then I thought about it further and changed my mind.

I hope you find a buyer for your house soon!

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[info]annemariepace
2006-06-18 10:29 am UTC (link)
I'd write more because I'd be able to hire someone to do all the stuff I hate, like cleaning, laundry, and yardwork.

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[info]closet_blogger
2006-06-18 03:33 pm UTC (link)
I'd hire somebody to do the stuff I hate, too, like cleaning and laundry. I think I'd mostly enjoy yardwork if I weren't so stressed for time.

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[info]kristydempsey
2006-06-18 11:07 am UTC (link)
I'd write and I'd still pursue publication. One of the reasons I think I'd pursue publication is because it makes me take my work to a different level. If I wrote for just the enjoyment of writing, I'm not sure I'd ever refine anything to my very best. I wouldn't go back and replace words and remove adverbs and such. I really don't love revision but I do love seeing the "final" draft of something and recognizing the ways I've made it better (umm, the ways my critique group has helped me make it better. :))

I don't know. I've never played the lottery. I'm not morally opposed to it. I've just never played it.

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[info]closet_blogger
2006-06-18 03:07 pm UTC (link)
Yes. Your work is definitely on a high level. In fact, you're almost one of those writers who makes me feel like quitting. Just kidding, sort of. But I do say that in the kindest of ways. ;)

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[info]kristydempsey
2006-06-19 11:00 am UTC (link)
Well, it's not like your own work isn't on the highest of levels! You are one who gives me a standard to live up to!

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[info]closet_blogger
2006-06-19 02:14 pm UTC (link)
That's very kind and very generous of you. (And it's a good thing you haven't seen anything recent I've written--or your opinion of me would go downhill fast.)

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[info]cocoskeeper
2006-06-18 01:16 pm UTC (link)
At first, I'd stop everything but paying off debt. It would consume me until finished. Then I'd work on securing futures, and a new home. Of course, there's the charities that would get their money. We would have private insurance, because no one would be working outside of the home. (DH would have his web designing--me, my writing.) Once the dust had settled, I'd then place my boys in summer day camp, or daycare and school (might be autumn by then), and sit back with my writing. I must finish Emma's story. I must see my publishable stories...well...published.

But it's not like I ever gave what I'd do if I ever won the lottery much thought....

;-D

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[info]closet_blogger
2006-06-18 03:09 pm UTC (link)
Yes, I can tell you haven't given it much thought at all. ;)

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[info]cassandra_w
2006-06-18 02:08 pm UTC (link)
The BIG lottery....I'd write more because Dh would be able to quit his job and spend time chauffering the kids around and all the reasons that AM stated. I just wouldn't be able to pretend that my occasional magazine sales contribute to our income, but I'd still love the thrill of publication.

I have thought of this -if I had six months to live, would I still write? To that, I say no. I'd spend the time doing scrapbooks and write in the journals for my kids. Well, I'd definitely be writing, but I'd be writing to and for my family.

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[info]closet_blogger
2006-06-18 03:16 pm UTC (link)
First of all, why would Dh need to chauffeur the kids? Would DH get enough fulfillment in life if he did nothing more than chauffeur kids all day while you were locked away in your office, or your writing wing, or your pricate island, or whatever. Why wouldn't you just hire a chauffeur?

And I think you hit the nail on the head with the pretending to contribute to the family income. You see, as long as we have to struggle to earn income, I feel somewhat justified spending time writing because there's the possibility (remote, I know--probably better odds playing the lottery, hehehe) that my writing could help contribute to the family income. If we had no need for income, I wouldn't have that excuse anymore, would I?

In terms of the six months to live thing--ooh! That's a great question and I have thought of it. I'll save it for another blog entry though.

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[info]lillpluta
2006-06-20 02:55 pm UTC (link)
Hmmm...you see I don't see writing as contributing to the family income..although it could someday. But all those hours, days, months, years, I spend trying to write something that "might" make money, could have been used at a "real" job.

If I won the lottery I wouldn't feel that IMMEDIATE need to bring in income. And for me, writing for fun or pleasure brings higher quality, than writing with publication goals in mind.

But we all know I'm wired a bit funny. : )

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[info]closet_blogger
2006-06-21 03:57 pm UTC (link)
No, I don't see writing as contributing to the family income, but at least I know that it could someday and therefore, I feel more justified spending my time at it. If, God-forbid, our situation were totally dire and we lacked money for the basics (food, shelter, clothes), I would obviously get a "real" job. But if I won the lottery, then I'd feel that my writing is basically just selfishness, escapism, and a bunch of other bad stuff. (Done as a hobby from time to time, I wouldn't feel guilty, but I wouldn't be able to justify spending the amount of time I currently do.)

I'd feel a stronger obligation to get out there and do something that's going to make a difference. Meaningful and regular volunteer work that's really going to help people. And I would be able to commit to it on a regular basis, if I didn't need any money. Also, of all my creative outlets and interests, writing is the least expensive. That's probably why I spend the most time at it. So if I had money to explore my other interests more, I would.

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[info]katysd
2006-06-18 04:57 pm UTC (link)
I'd definitely continue writing and pursuing publication. It's in my blood. Sometimes I really want to quit, but I can't. It's a curse. :-)

Katy

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[info]closet_blogger
2006-06-18 05:54 pm UTC (link)
Well, thanks for answering. It's interesting that you'd all definitely continue. I wonder if I really would quit or not. Unlikely I'll ever find out.

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