(no subject)

[febobe]

A friend's post got me thinking about something again that's been on my mind lately....

Success.

Define creative success.

I define it as - I create, therefore I am a success.

But even in the world's view I am successful.

Money? Eh, haven't made that much off writing - it's in the hundreds of dollars rather than even thousands, much less any more than that.

Copies sold? HA HA HA HA HA.

But...

*I could list many writing print success notes here, though I won't, b/c what I'm about to say fascinates me more.

*My fanfic?

Let's talk about that for a minute, shall we?

I've not pub'd on ff.net, my primary site, in about two solid years, IIRC.

Just...life, general busy-ness, all that jazz.

And as we know, no new chapters or tales tends to lower your hits and your place in the search results, right?

Well, even at that I have had, during that time, readers from the likes of...

-the USA (yay!)
-the UK :)
-Canada! O Canada!
-Israel :)
-Malaysia
-Gibraltar
-India
-Sweden :)
-Finland
-Estonia
-Romania
-Germany
-Austria
-Australia
-New Zealand :D
-Spain
-Chile

and so very many more....

How many writers would give their right leg for that kind of widespread exposure?

An awful lot, let me tell you.

I can't tell you that all those readers read everything I wrote and loved it; based on the stats, I seriously doubt it. ;) That said, at least one, often more than one, soul in those countries was interested enough to peek at at least one chapter of a tale I wrote, or one one-shot fic, however briefly.

o_O

Guys, I'm utterly floored.

Floored, I tell you. Floored.

And in all this, it hit me: I am LIVING MY DREAM.

It really is true that sometimes we don't recognize our dream when it's right within our hands.

I know I didn't. I truly didn't, not until recently.

But I have had readers, at least lookers, at least people doing the equivalent of picking up one's book in the library or bookstore and at least opening it, from all around the globe.

And that blows my mind, absolutely astounds and delights me.

So I haven't made a million or five from my writing. So I'm not Stephen King or Danielle Steel. So what?

I have done everything in writing that I dreamed, and there's more ahead for me.

I am sorry I didn't recognize this sooner, but I'm glad I do now, and I say this all not to brag or boast, but in an effort to inspire hope.

Sometimes the reality of our lives does contain everything we've ever dreamt of after all.

Maybe it doesn't always happen the way we PLANNED it once upon a time.

But that doesn't mean it isn't happiness and dreams come true after all.

Thank you all. Thank you for making *my* dreams come true. Without you nice folks, I wouldn't have this in my hands...and I know that. And I'm dedicating my two Big Bang fics to my readers everywhere, everyone. Because without the readers, I'd just be singing my solo alone in an empty house. That wouldn't mean it isn't worth singing...but there's something magical about knowing there are faces out there in the dark...even when I can't always see them.

May you all know the wonderful feeling of happiness I have right at this moment. I wish that for each and every one of you, my dears. :)

Love always,
Febobe :)

Comments

[thrihyrne.livejournal.com]

This post really hits home with me. I've not written for 6 months until a week ago, but in the past few weeks, I've received two unexpected reviews of stories I wrote a few years back. And on the rare occasions I do look at the stats on my website, I see that people are still reading my stories, in all of my fandoms. As you say, that kind of readership and exposure is priceless. I've never planned to make a career of writing, but oh the joy I've had when people have read my stories and let me know her/his response to them. We in the fandom world probably get way more feedback than a 'conventional' author. So we don't get money from it. Well, money can't buy contentment, or satisfaction. :)

[febobe.livejournal.com]

This is so absolutely true, dearest. Money can't buy peace. It can't buy joy. It can't buy true happiness. It can't buy all the things which really matter most in life, can it?

I'm stunned that I still, to this day, receive hits on and reviews of stories I wrote while working. I mean, we're talking the first half of 2002, people. Nine years later, people are still reading those things. Goodness, I have seen how many books which failed to stay in print that long?!? But here I am.... :D

I'm so glad we have this joy in our lives, dearest. :) And I'm so grateful to have YOU! :) *huggiesnugglies*

[shirebound]

That's an awesome realization. How many 'successful' people do you know in real life whose creative efforts are globally loved and appreciated?

[claudia603.livejournal.com]

It's a wonderful way to define success. *nods* For me, I would need to feel like I can follow through on things better (I've been really awful at finishing projects and spending too much time wandering the internet :D

[dreamflower]

But I have had readers, at least lookers, at least people doing the equivalent of picking up one's book in the library or bookstore and at least opening it, from all around the globe.

And that blows my mind, absolutely astounds and delights me.

So I haven't made a million or five from my writing. So I'm not Stephen King or Danielle Steel. So what?

I have done everything in writing that I dreamed, and there's more ahead for me.

See, this is why I love fanfic, and am not even the least tempted to write conventional fiction professionally. (Non-fiction is another matter; I could possibly be tempted that way.)

How many writers of conventional fiction have any IDEA of who reads their stuff? How many of them get a note within literally minutes of publishing a single chapter from someone eager to read the next one? How many of them have readers who get excited over reading just 100 words about their favorite character? And where else than in fanfic would you find anyone who would even consider publishing a 100 word story?

Fanfic is made of awesome!

[gncurrier.livejournal.com]

Your Frodo stuff always makes me feel warm and fuzzy :)
I'm really happy that you are able to see the best in everything; for an artist, any kind of artist, any exposure and work is creating something memorable and special.
Adding this post to memories, because I think I'll want to read it again when I need a "light at the end of the tunnel," so to speak. Your attitude is inspirational :)

[ancalime8301]

Looking at my story stats never fails to boggle my mind in much the way you describe. And it's awesome. :D

[ramblin_rosie]

This is a grand realization. :D I did something similar back in March when I had that one interview, anticipating questions about my fanfic from a ministry perspective, and it's amazing to me how quickly our words can go to places we never could. I have a regular reader in *Iran*!
And of course, there are the friendships we wouldn't have without this venue, for which I am extremely grateful. *hugs*

[mews1945.livejournal.com]

You're a success by any standards.