Did anyone else watch the NFL draft? I had never watched it before because I don't have a lot of interest in pro football. I am a college fan, all the way. But I was interested this year because a hometown boy was going to make good and I wanted to see it. And he did; number eight in the first round. For those of you who don't know the significance of that, there were seven rounds, with two-hundred fifty-five picks in all. And that's not even all the college players who will go the NFL. I won't go into free agent negotiations because, as much as it may not seem so, this is not about football.
Suffice it to say that number eight wasn't too shabby—millions of dollars worth of not too shabby. He said he was going to buy his mother a big house with a pond. He's not going to have any trouble doing that; they are not going to have to compromise on the size of the pond. I am delighted for him. I am delighted for all of them. They have worked hard and pushed their bodies where bodies should not have to go. Among them are spoiled prima donnas, generous fine young men, Rhodes scholars, and those who need help getting out of the rain. Some will win Super Bowls and some will get broken their rookie season. But they will all be rich. Whether they stay rich is another matter. Some will; some won't.
Yet, it all started with the love of a game. No eight-year-old boy ever put a helmet on his head, walked out on a field, and thought, "I could get a 6 year, $74 million dollar contract." He thought, "I could win. And I love this."
I think it must be the same for writers. Some get rich; some make a living; some never make a dime. But does anyone ever sit down, put hands to keyboard, and think, "I could be Stephen King rich."? Maybe. It certainly is a nice thought. But I tend to think, at least in the beginning, most of us think, "Someone might want to buy my story. And I love this."
Of course, a movie deal would be very, very nice.
How about you? When you envision success, what do you think of first? A check? A book with your name on the cover? A website with thousands of hits every day?
There was a hometown boy in the draft? I am not even a college football fan. Yeah, I know that's blasphemy in Alabama.
ReplyDeleteSuccess for me would be walking into Barnes & Noble and seeing a book with my name on the cover. The money would be nice too.
PM,
ReplyDeleteI'm with you about the name on the cover. The money seems elusive, for some reason.
Hometown boy--Rolando McClain. He played at Decatur High and was a linebacker at the University of Alabama. He won the Butkus Award this year and it such a brilliant strategist that they called him the defensive quarterback. He was often seen jerking guys out of positions and pointing then to where they were supposed to be.
I wish I had somebody to do that for me.
PM,
ReplyDeleteI'm with you about the name on the cover. The money seems elusive, for some reason.
Hometown boy--Rolando McClain. He played at Decatur High and was a linebacker at the University of Alabama. He won the Butkus Award this year and it such a brilliant strategist that they called him the defensive quarterback. He was often seen jerking guys out of positions and pointing then to where they were supposed to be.
I wish I had somebody to do that for me.
Pantster
I caught glimpses of the draft and later images of the player's reactions. McClain's photo with his mother is priceless. But you know where I stand. I wanted to see a particular young man make good. And he did. I'm a Broncos fan! Woot! But there are many good players making the step up, Sam Bradford (OK fan here) and Colt McCoy (Texas fan) among them.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait until I make the draft! ;)
Kathy,
ReplyDeleteToo bad there's not a buddy system!
I wanted to watch the draft but ended up not for some reason that I can no longer remember.
ReplyDeleteWhat drove me when I started was seeing my name on the cover of a book. I'm still driven by that - by the validation of it. But I'll be honest and say the money don't hurt. :-)
Kira
Kira,
ReplyDeleteMoney never hurts. I expect the more one sees, the more motivational it gets.
If you love what you do it doesn't matter how much money you make, and if you don't love what you do, it doesn't matter either. I am confident in your ability to garner fame and fortune for doing what you love. Then you can take me to Italy for my retirement ;)
ReplyDeleteI grew up in Canada--it was Hockey for us. But I do try to get the college football thing. I do.
ReplyDeleteI am a writer who'd be happy to hit the minor leagues at this point.
LMAO!! You are soooo bad, Panster. Shame on you!
ReplyDeleteOF,
ReplyDeleteDan Brown goes to Italy all the time. Call him.
Christine,
Minor league, little league, I'm with you!
Kathy,
Me?
I would really love to see my name on a book. That would be success to me. Also the money would be great - I could travel to all those exotic places I've just read about.
ReplyDeleteI didn't watch the draft, sorry. I stick with college football (you know I'm the enemy -War Eagle). Just kidding... I think the picture of the local guy with his mom was wonderful! I do love to see hometown guys make it. They work so very hard and should be rewarded. I hope he does well in the pros!
Cheryl,
ReplyDeleteMaybe we'll all get out names on books and can take a group trip!
If Rolando doesn't do well in the pros--and I have no reason to think he won't--he'll be a brilliant coach.
And you're not the enemy--well, except for a few hours in November. SEC, baby.