Expensive Material

I may have missed my chance to be rich and famous.
Maggie came home tonight and informed me that if I just wrote books like the one she started reading today, I would be famous and rich and people would love me.
Wow, I was a little taken aback by her enthusiasm, but Maggie doesn’t do much on a small scale, so I knew I was in for a treat.
She started telling me about her new book, complete with hand gestures and swooning. I don’t remember the title, but she is into scifi, vampire, undead, alien, other world books, so it was probably something like Trapped, or Forbidden. I did notice the cover was shiny.
Apparently, it’s about a young woman and a young man that live in a time where “the leaders” pair up suitable partners to ensure a strong race and a peaceful, totalitarian society. She rambled for a good fifteen minutes about these two “free spirits” that are paired with people they don’t love, but they fight to choose their own love and…
I checked out at some point. I’ve heard this plot about a dozen times before, I know it sells.
When I could finally get a word in, I said that I was happy she was enjoying her new book and while I appreciated the advice, I was going to stick with my writing.
“Oh mom, why? Your books are really…well, with respect, they’re dull. You can’t just write about people. No one wants to read about people.”
I laughed and trudged on in my defense by saying that writers create work that is personal. They don’t write stories that they think will sell, or come up with story lines simply to make money, at least that’s not how it works for me.
“Well, I think I should be your manager. You need some new ideas. If you could just get into other worlds, get some aliens or spark, you could be the next,” she pointed at her book enthusiastically, “this lady. You could be her!”
At this point, I begin to feel like I’m up late watching endless real estate infomercials, or on a used car lot. You know the ones with the inflatable monkey?
“Thanks Mags, but I don’t want to be her. I like what I write.” With that, she finally gave up, hugged me and said, “That’s good, Mom. It’s great that you believe in yourself, but if you ever want to get rich let me know.”
I’m still laughing.
My thoughts from the laundry room. Dream World.
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Sounds like a perfect opportunity to suggest she write a book.. perhaps on the “How-To’s” to become “Rich & Famous”.
Hey…. Ya Never Know..!! (wouldn’t that be “something”??!!)
Hahaha. That’s a great idea. I will pass on your advice and keep you posted.
Sounds a little bit like The Giver series, which I loved, but I agree with you. I like to read and write about people too!
I will have to ask her the title again. The last series had wings on the cover. For some reason I always remember the covers. Thanks for reading and your comment.
Very effective. Everybody wants to be a coach. You might be interested in this: http://rlavalette.wordpress.com/2012/02/18/six-word-saturday-46/
I love that, Ron. I will be sure to share the next time she tries to sell me down the river.
my youngest wants to know why I didn’t just write the Hunger Games? if only it was that easy!
Hahahaha. They really do have a warped sense of what it is to be a writer. Thanks for the comment.