Ah, April 15. Why does this date create images in my mind like, oh, a pie with a slice cut out of it? Dunno.
Anyway, I’m also reminded of a TV show years ago called The Millionaire. A guy would show up at some person’s door and hand them a check for a million dollars, taxes “already paid.” The rich man behind this scheme wanted to see what an ordinary person would do with sudden wealth.
So if someone were to offer you a million bucks tax free, but with the condition that you never write fiction again … would you take it?
And what’s the first thing you’d do with a mil?
I would say No!
I am in a similar dilemma right now. Nobody offered me a million so far, but I could either give up writing books (either fiction or non-fiction) or let someone else help me find a regular income (and pay me benefits during this search process). So far I am saying No to it and try to do both myself. That is to find my way as an author entrepreneur and also to find a possibility to earn a more regular income (either part of full-time). But I choose to be responsible and go for what I want. My story is long and I would have chosen a secure way from the beginning combining both (regular income and writing books), but because of some mishaps it was not possible and I took a risk and went the independent (from a regular job) way.
I admit, I did “sell my soul” a few times in the past for what I thought was requested of me and would be more “reasonable”. But it killed quite of few good parts of me. And now I am resurrecting myself from the “dead”. 😉
Who knows, I might “die” again, but this time with all the fun and awareness possible along the way.
I might be tempted to take the money and found a small press to publish other’s works.
If I didn’t try to get my work published, how would John Beresford Tipton know that I was still writing?
The only thing that would stop me writing is if I had the kind of money John Beresford Tipton’s boss had. I’d like to create my own John Beresford Tipton. That would be a worthwhile endeavor, maybe worthwhile enough to get me to stop writing.
If I were 50 years younger, I might react differently.
I’d take it. Would they really spend the money to enforce the caveat if it were a contract? And is that PUBLISH fiction or write it and keep it in my drawer? And is that only till the million runs out? Let’s face it–the cost of an average size house alone is a good chunk of a million. So realistically, you could stretch it out for several years but it wouldn’t be a lifetime. In the meantime, those stories could be bubbling in your head and you may not be able to write fiction but you can jot notes.
And even if they did expend the legal funds to enforce it, I have many other creative pursuits to follow–drawing, painting, leather work, wood working, etc.
Bring it on. Let’s go over the fine details of the contract….
I’ve lived my adult life in Italy. I’d love to move back to the US and spend my aging years near siblings, cousins, children and grandchildren, but I have no health insurance, didn’t qualify for medicare, have no retirement plan, can’t afford a nursing home. So yeah, I would take the money. As for not writing, I’d probably try to cheat. I’ve always written stories but I don’t do anything with them. Does that still count? If, instead of stuffing cupboards and drawers with 2nd, 3rd and 20th drafts, I chucked everything into the trash, would anyone know or care? Would I be caught? What would happen to me if I were? I think I’d take the risk.
There’s a lot of writing you can do without writing novels. I have enough people counting on me that I couldn’t justify not giving them a little security. I’d take the million and start working on screenplays. Or history, perhaps, which has always been my passion.
As much as I would love to take the money and run, I don’t think I could stop writing, even for a million dollars. What would I do with it? First, I’d give a lot away. I don’t NEED a million dollars. Who does? Then I’d travel the world
But if you’re only talking fiction, then yes. I’d take the money and write true crime…I think. Tough question!
A cynic might say he would take the money, then hire an a good attorney to find a way around the fiction writing agreement.
But, in real life, I’d have to say no. The experience of meeting people, creating new worlds and people, and learning new things, is worth much, much more than a million bucks.
Never publish fiction again? I could live with that. Never write it again, even if only for myself? Nope. Couldn’t do it. Not even a million dollars could fill the hole that would leave.
This is a tough one. I’d continue to write non-fiction because the mega-bucks could do so much good for my family and others. I’d use it to insure the future of my smart, intelligent, but autistic grandson. (yes, a possible non-fiction story there) I’d donate to some of my favorite charities and retain some for my writing and other interests. That said, I will continue to write fiction. The million is not going to happen:)
It’s a no brainer. I would take the money and start to write travel guides.
I’m in a similar situation right now, too. It’s hard to write when you’re teaching. But it’s hard to pay for your writing career when you’re not employed.
But if I took the money, I would do something for all the homeless teenagers in my area. Maybe provide shelter and teach them how to tell their stories to raise awareness and alleviate the problem.
I would take the money, then ask Berthold the Leprechaun and my cousin Leonard to write fiction in my place. As a matter of fact Leonard is already working on his first piece:
Spy in The Mountains