An exchange at https://www.writersandartists.co.uk/question/view/2810 has inspired this Q:
Which of the following epitaphs would you prefer?
(S)he had 432 short stories published in international, widely read magazines; and won £372,600 in prize money in a wide selection of writing competitions... but didn't write a truly original sentence in 54 years of literary fame.
(S)he never made a single penny from 54 years of writing, and died an unknown pauper. But today - 24 years after her/his death - is considered a genius who paved the way for generations of original writing talent.
We at La Gr@not@ can't help you achieve the first. Wed be PROUD to help y towards the second.
@ Clare
Could you bring me back a T-shirt from the future?
If I had a time machine I'd be doing much more interesting things than checking out encyclopaedia's or my own tombstone ;)
Go on then, I'll answer. I've been pondering this question since it came up but I find I don't agree with myself. Of course, if I could know I was doing something of historical significance then great. If I just believe and hope I am with no recompense just for the sake of mankind? It feels like that's the right answer and I may live my life feeling very proud and self actualized but I think I would mostly feel guilty and self-indulgent. It feels like the wrong answer but I want to see a benefit now. I would love to make a living from this if I could. I want to do a job I enjoy from home. The only money I've made so far is as a guest blogger which is hardly high literature but people like it so I'll do it. Does that make me a sellout?