Publishing Envy

I used to get a little bit unsettled every time an LDS author made it big. The fact that Orson Scott Card existed, for instance, was a little threatening. Because I was a psych major, I think in statistics and outliers sometimes, and I think my line of reasoning was, only one in (whatever number you can come up with) LDS people can become famous authors. Therefore, I've missed the boat because there is already Orson Card.

I felt the same about Shannon Hale, and Stephenie Meyer.

I didn't count The Christmas Sweater, by Glenn Beck. (Does that make me a snob? I don't think so... I think it's because I'm a Democrat. But some would equate the two.)

But something about Allie Condie and her new novel has changed all this for me. I read her interviews and think, "I can do that. If I try hard enough," instead of, "she's using up all the luck."

I'm starting to feel better about all those others, too. I mean, I LOVE their books. Even Twilight was a good read, you have to admit. Maybe not as well-written as some books, but she's definitely got a talent for storytelling.

Maybe someday I'll be on that list. If I work hard enough. And go to enough writer conferences. And submit my manuscripts to hundreds of literary agencies.

Thing is, I believe all these authors have actually worked pretty hard to get where they are. I think it's a myth, this whole "You got lucky" thing. How many novels did Allie write before she made it? I think I read six.

Yeah. Not quite there yet. So... no room to be jealous, yet, either.