Of course, the catch is, just because a book will sell doesn't mean it will be in the canon a hundred--even fifty years from now. Which brings me back to the issue I referred to in the last post: would an artist/writer prefer fame (however temporary) during her lifetime, or is she content with the slim chance of passing the test of time?
I'll admit, I lean towards the former at times--many times, if I'm honest with myself. Who doesn't want to be on a NYT best-seller list? Who doesn't want to be raved over by Oprah (other than He Who Shall Not Be Named)? Who doesn't want a line of people outside a Barnes & Noble on a hot summer day?
Of course, the ideal is is if you could have it both ways: both current and future fame. Mark Twain has both. Jewish Mark Twain isn't.
"I can't worry about my place in the library," John said in "Roderick on the Line." He just has to sit and create so he can finish one project and start another. I guess I need to take his lead.
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