Think She Would Trade with Me?
Monday, August 8th, 2011Former mid-list New Weird/epic fantasy novelist Steph Swainston last month famously announced that she is quitting writing, canceling her current two-book contract, in order to train to become a college chemistry teacher.
Beyond the irony of her wanting the job I’ve already got (and me coveting hers!), her comments touch on several interesting points about the writerly life. Yes, it is extremely solitudinous. It can feel distancing from reality.
But that’s all within the writer’s control. Have a family; have a life. Have other pursuits and hobbies. Go to conventions with your writer pals and drink into the wee hours of the morning (one of my favs!). In addition to keeping you grounded, interactions with real people of course provide the insight into human nature that makes good fiction.
She’s absolutely right about many fans not realizing the pressure they put on authors. It seems that in our modern TMZ paparazzi society, some fans have the misguided and selfish idea that superstars owe them something. I’m reminded of “George Martin is not your bitch.” The self-centered obliviousness that a good many of Martin’s fans have displayed over the long delay for A Dance with Dragons is disgusting.
But I think Swainston is overreacting in things like saying that vocal fans can change an author’s next book. Only if the writer lets them. That too is all within the writer’s control.
I have no illusions that the life of a working novelist is tough. Maybe “be careful what you wish for”? It sounds like in this case it’s not the objective hardship but that such a life is not working out for Swainston.