How would I have envisioned literary success?

Let’s start with the prompt: Imagine yourself in the position you desire.

For much of my life, that had two conflicting scenes, the newspaper editor in his community in contrast to the successful novelist in a tweed jacket in a New York study or a poet in something more funky.

Much less for the supporting people my life, starting with wife and children?

When I last looked at the question, it essentially asked me to consider my early retirement years. How curious! The newspaper editor, at least, was out of the picture.

At its core, I craved recognition (affirmation!) – after years of largely reclusive labor. But which circle did I most want to recognize me – hip, alternative culture? Quaker, international literary, Seacoast New Hampshire? At some level, perhaps, it was also wanting to visit Dayton and be known even there – or to hear again from many people I’d known and lost contact with in my relocations. The Quaker world is awfully small and restrained, especially with its three sharp divisions. The literary world, meanwhile, has so many high priests and exclusive emphases – could I move among them? Yet, if the Society of Friends is to survive and grow, I needed to move beyond its confines and reach out to a wider audience. In a larger sense, then, my recognition would be as one who brilliantly bridges these disparate worlds. If only.

I did imagine a significant amount of time would be engaged in travel – public readings, workshops, conferences. Eight weeks a year, split between Quaker and literary? Perhaps an additional retreat or camping trip? The travel could also include three-day weekends for symphony, opera, and galleries.

I also imagined having three books published on paper each year – one of poetry, one of Quaker practice, and one of fiction or memoir/genealogy. (They were already written.)

The rest of the time would be correspondence and basic living, including a social life, concerts/plays/etc.

I do believe such reflections are important in channeling what might otherwise be simply drifting through life.

So back to the questions.

Define what you are trying to accomplish. Be clear about what you’re setting out to do. What problem are you trying to solve? What new ground are you trying to break? What will happen if you manage this well? What will happen if it isn’t managed well?

I would have said, Brand myself as the leading new Quaker voice – or at least an original Thinker. (Think of Bill Stafford in the Church of the Brethren, Wendell Berry, even Mary Oliver the Unitarian – who has emerged since?) What I want to do is bring Quaker theology into the center of contemporary thought and discourse, and then to renew the life of the Society itself. The poetry and fiction add to my credibility as a writer.

Well, that has slipped past me.

Now for another hard question.

Who do you think would play me in the movie version?

~*~

You can find my surviving novels in the digital platform of your choice at Smashwords, the Apple Store, Barnes & Noble’s Nook, Scribd, Sony’s Kobo, and other fine ebook retailers. They’re also available in paper and Kindle at Amazon, or you can ask your local library to obtain them.