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Saturday 13 August 2011

Fame or Fortune ... Which Would You Prefer?


Fame or fortune? Both? Or neither?


It’s a common idea that we all seek either or both of these qualities in our lives. But is it something we’d really want? We take for granted the benefits of such qualities but tend to ignore the downside. Is there one? Well, when it comes to fame, I don’t know about you, but I’d hate to be recognised everywhere I went. How could I listen in to those delightful and intriguing snippets of conversation that inform my writing, if I was recognised as a writer? In fact, I kept my craft secret even from colleagues at work until I had Breaking Faith published and needed to market the novel. The idea of mob love doesn’t appeal to me at all, either. I’m happy with the real love of those around me; those I know and love. So, fame is definitely not for me.

But (and, as they say, it’s a big butt), I DO want my work to be famous. I want it to reach the largest possible readership because I believe that what I write is worth reading. Otherwise, I wouldn’t do it, would I? It’s one of the reasons I use a pen name. I can walk into any shop, hotel, restaurant or wherever, use my own name and know I won’t be known. But, when the world recognises my genius (yes, it’s possible I’ll be dead by then, I know.) my writing name will be universally known, respected and admired. (For the Americans amongst my readers, I should perhaps explain that I’m employing irony here. We Brits have the irritating conviction that most Americans have no understanding of irony and don’t recognise it, you see).
So, fame for my work, but not for me, thanks.

And fortune?

Money has never really had a hold over me; not in quantity. But, then, I’ve never had a lot of money, so I have no experience of its supposed benefits. I look at the rich around me and in the media and see how shallow and selfish many of them are. I see how they have lost their knowledge of the real world; those who had such knowledge in the first case, that is. I see how their love of materialism and wealth has ruled and governed their lives and their choices and I feel little admiration and a great deal of distaste. Oh, I know some of them are generous with donations to charities and the like. But it makes me wonder, when a rich celebrity makes a plea to raise a certain sum for a specific project to alleviate suffering, why they don’t simply donate it themselves. It so frequently has the appearance of someone trying to look good rather than actually be good. I hold a belief that, as we should have a minimum income for all worldwide, we should also have a maximum income for all. It is inequalities in society that cause most discontent and the wider they are the greater that dissatisfaction.

So, yes, I’d like enough money to be able to live the relatively simple lifestyle I espouse and to give my daughter a good start in life. But I don’t crave the sort of fortune that distorts an individual’s view of the world to such an extent that they no longer understand the lot of most people.
Sorry, this has become rather serious, hasn’t it? My passions sometimes run away with me. I’m sure you’ll find a lighter touch in the other contributions to this blog tour. So move on to the next and enjoy the tour.
Thanks for your time and bruised ears. I’ll take my soap box away now and find another crowd to harangue.

11 comments:

Reiza said...

Can't agree more, Stuart! I have nothing against fame and fortune myself, but I somehow raise my eyebrow on those who use them for purely selfish intentions. You're right, there's no need to announce to the whole world that one is donating billions for charity and stuff. I don't understand the point, at all.

Came here from Blog Tour.
http://gin-diary.blogspot.com/2011/08/fame-and-fortune.html

Cheers!

Reiza

Shelley Workinger said...

Stuart - I always think the same thing about those celebrity pleas! And I know so many people who live paycheck to paycheck, but always send money to help whenever they see a telethon. $5 to my neighbor means not making her electric bill this month, but to [insert star name here] means nothing. I don't know where the "I've got mine; let me tell you what to do with yours" entitlement comes from.

stuartaken.net said...

Reiza & Shelley, many thanks for your comments; feedback is vital to a writer.

Unknown said...

Stuart, I am here from the hop! Really enjoyed your post, and I am coming to realize that many think a like when it comes to fame and fortune, although we wouldn't mind it... we aren't seeking it or maybe like me in which I already found my fortune and fame.

http://www.scatteredmusings.net/2011/08/fame-fortune/

David M. Brown said...

Hi Stuart, I'm also over from the hop. Fantastic post with lots of points that firmly echo my own feelings!
Thanks
Dave

Sonia Rumzi said...

How very true. Fame and fortune are all fine and good but giving comes without either one. If someone will give they will even out of their need. Great post! :)

stuartaken.net said...

Debbie, David & Sonia; it's encouraging to know that so many people think along the same lines on this. Perhaps there's hope that society won't descend into total materialism after all.

Elizabeth said...

NEW FOLLOWER....great blog content.

I would like to be fortunate...not necessarily with money....love and health would be a great fortunate to have and to keep.

Elizabeth

http://silversolara.blogspot.com

stuartaken.net said...

Elizabeth; I think we could all go with that wish; I certainly can and do.

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