tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post8088107399680726511..comments2024-03-22T12:11:58.453-06:00Comments on Michael Offutt: Fame brings out a person's true colorsMichael Offutt, Phantom Readerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10557969104886174930noreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-26574064598309651162012-03-17T21:05:46.075-06:002012-03-17T21:05:46.075-06:00Maybe the reason they are famous is that they are ...Maybe the reason they are famous is that they are arrogant and they will walk all over anyone who gets in their way. They will cheat lie, plagiarize... Hemingway always had a great deal of hutzpa and then fame/success made him even worse. "Who was that who helped get me published? Fitz who? Screw him I was always going to get where I am regardless of any help anyone gave me." Hemingway in a nutshell. And Martins? What balls! Behaves as though he were Tolkien or something. But as I understand it, Tolkien was not that arrogant.Danettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15043881305977386629noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-20292152448073638432012-03-15T23:09:10.820-06:002012-03-15T23:09:10.820-06:00If I were a famous writer i'k love to think I&...If I were a famous writer i'k love to think I'd be like Neil Gaiman about my fame. He's super cool. I think you can be famous and not be a d-bag. I emialed a very famous author once with a query about her book which I was posting a review for. She answered promptly and mow follows me on twitter. How hard was that. She hot a fan for life right there.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02530886181437955643noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-37091820234078907612012-03-14T14:26:23.866-06:002012-03-14T14:26:23.866-06:00Famous writer who is not an asshole: Neal Gaiman. ...Famous writer who is not an asshole: Neal Gaiman. He is so visible to his fans, and even though he is busy, there are ways to keep up with him, he participates in a lot of Reading Awareness events, and such. I follow him on Facebook, and several times he has announced some chat room or other that he's hanging out in. So you don't have to be a dick just 'cause you're busy and famous.Callie Leuckhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09535505792102190920noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-70336885367187866862012-03-14T12:57:46.694-06:002012-03-14T12:57:46.694-06:00A lot of famous authors are probably like that, th...A lot of famous authors are probably like that, they're just not vocal or blunt about it.writing and living by Richard P Hugheshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03814139767151989286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-45842266605770494562012-03-14T12:33:27.695-06:002012-03-14T12:33:27.695-06:00I think there are arogant people on both sides of ...I think there are arogant people on both sides of fame. We just notice the famous ones more. And he may just really be busy writing stuff and not want to bother with the rest.Alyson Burdettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16916059117572619004noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-49022477264026880212012-03-14T04:34:39.563-06:002012-03-14T04:34:39.563-06:00Totally agree about fame revealing a person's ...Totally agree about fame revealing a person's true colours... it happens all the time with celebrities and the like... I guess it's easy to have it get to their heads when everyone keeps telling them how awesome they are...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-1312831908744700332012-03-13T21:57:09.155-06:002012-03-13T21:57:09.155-06:00I am firm believer that with fame comes HUGE respo...I am firm believer that with fame comes HUGE responsibility and not to yourself or publisher BUT to the people who supported you along the way.<br /> <br />I also believe in giving back and I have NO time for arrogant people. I met MANY and I mean many famous people in my former career and believe me many were completely sweet and giving people.<br /><br />IT's the arrogant ones that make the headlines. Humans are funny creatures and we all react differently in different situations. But to me arrogant people think they are better than others and to be point blank WE all use the "facility" in the same way. So they need to get OVER IT!<br /><br />I hope and pray I never turn into one of those jerks. I hadn't in the past and I hope never to in the future.<br /><br />Michael you always have a very direct and interesting post. Thanks for your passion.Michael Di Gesuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17047267262428143113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-38845475222597006152012-03-13T21:12:59.056-06:002012-03-13T21:12:59.056-06:00There should never be a free pass for arrogance.
...There should never be a free pass for arrogance. <br /><br />I can see time constraints as part of the fame. Even so nothing excuses a rude demeanor. How hard is it to give a few kind words. I'm sure all of us have benefited from the kindness of others. Why shouldn't we return that favor...<br /><br />I truly believe arrogance comes before a fall. If you want to keep your fan base, you have to treat them with the same respect you would want for yourself. (Hugs)IndigoSage Ravenwoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17143502548162174269noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-47476242919951185722012-03-13T20:38:22.514-06:002012-03-13T20:38:22.514-06:00I promise that when I get famous (laughing at that...I promise that when I get famous (laughing at that)I will still be nice and down to earth. <br /><br />Hey, I'd love to get together and do coffee. I don't drink coffee BUT I love the smell of it. Also, Starbucks has some way awesome hot chocolate and pastries. Just let me know you're schedule. I'm pretty open during the days, and some evenings. Once my kids get home from school life gets crazy. <br /><br />Anyway, just let me know. It'll be fun.Angela Scotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12488555961691093024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-65417956396180229522012-03-13T19:50:40.590-06:002012-03-13T19:50:40.590-06:00His no list didn't bother me. I kind of admire...His no list didn't bother me. I kind of admired it. I think it is hard for people to learn to say No and he clearly has it down. Maybe he has a good therapist.Nancyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12269660745591215804noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-46064467065005262552012-03-13T18:16:11.411-06:002012-03-13T18:16:11.411-06:00Hell yeah. If I became a billion dollar best selle...Hell yeah. If I became a billion dollar best seller I'd be like, see ya, losers! HAHAHA. Just kidding, but I do think success and money changes a person. I don't think any writer starts out being a rich asshole when they're poor. Power changes a person sometimes. Gladly, not everyone.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-4694290868631888122012-03-13T17:56:02.930-06:002012-03-13T17:56:02.930-06:00They say (and I have to go with a "they"...They say (and I have to go with a "they" as I wouldn't know) that fame just magnifies who you were to begin with.<br /><br />I'm willing to cut Martin a break, as I'm sure he's innundated with requests. I guess the real question is, what kind of famous author do you want to be?Liz A.https://www.blogger.com/profile/16531953467834426316noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-9973006147609289792012-03-13T15:52:30.917-06:002012-03-13T15:52:30.917-06:00I remember my first college basketball game as a p...I remember my first college basketball game as a player. I was the star in a victory for the team. My coach came up to me afterwrads and told me the reporters wanted to talk to me. I looked at him and said, "Why?" I really had no idea what I had done that would warrant someone wishing to interview me.<br /><br />I am still that same personMichael Horvathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06490946095047002839noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-78465342766187040872012-03-13T15:44:49.907-06:002012-03-13T15:44:49.907-06:00I would do all that stuff but demand a tiara and t...I would do all that stuff but demand a tiara and throne. - j/k, really.Southpawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16539290964546504171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-21552374947832929702012-03-13T15:02:55.126-06:002012-03-13T15:02:55.126-06:00I think a lot of writers (and others) post comment...I think a lot of writers (and others) post comments like that to discourage people from sending them stuff. I believe that Stephen King actually reads SOME things people send him, but don't quote me on that.<br /><br />As a superfamous guy already -- I can barely walk through my own living room without at least 50% of the people recognizing me and 75% of them blaming me for getting pizza on the rug -- I can say that I will definitely continue to support people's efforts to glom onto a small part of my fame. If you want me to read your book, manuscript, poem, car registration, ingredients on a hot dog package, or liner notes from that obscure 1973 jazz album you bought at a flea market, I'm going to do it.<br /><br />As for going to your conventions, gladly! <br /><br />As for the other stuff George R R said he wouldn't do, as well, I'll do those things, as well. Maybe I would think differently about my fans -- maybe I would feel free to treat them like completely irrelevant pieces of crap -- if I had catapulted to fame by essentially grittily rebooting J.R.R. Tolkien's stuff instead of coming up with something original, as some people did (I won't name names but it rhymes with "Morge Mar Mar Martin"), but that's just me. <br /><br />In short: Many writers will not do those things. But Martin's just being a dick.<br /><br />ALSO! I'm having a blogfest in which you can write stuff! Details here: http://www.troublewithroy.com.Brianehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01616494058636881575noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-50654745759644281602012-03-13T14:41:32.911-06:002012-03-13T14:41:32.911-06:00The funny thing about Martin is if he did go to a ...The funny thing about Martin is if he did go to a convention, he'd have his fans yelling at him to stop messing around and write the next book. :-) Poor George! He can't win!<br /><br />Margaret Atwood has a nice page on her web site covering everything she has to say no to. At that level, I understand you get inundated.<br /><br />If I had that level of popularity and cash, I don't know what I'd do, besides a lot of shopping, of course. :-)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-9029503269082299062012-03-13T14:14:14.418-06:002012-03-13T14:14:14.418-06:00I read all the comments and find what everyone sai...I read all the comments and find what everyone said and what you wrote to be interesting. I would bet that he really is too busy. I don't have much of a life, but I'm finding it hard to keep up with reading all the blogs I want to read and writing one too.Bellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14175778756449339363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-86687268077093215742012-03-13T14:00:02.777-06:002012-03-13T14:00:02.777-06:00But then there are the mega-stars that prove by th...But then there are the mega-stars that prove by the way they live and die that fame doesn't count for everything. Relationships matter.J.L. Campbellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05666634455836834179noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-79791574451262367492012-03-13T13:38:22.768-06:002012-03-13T13:38:22.768-06:00LOL Michael! I'll have my people contact your ...LOL Michael! I'll have my people contact your people when we're famous! Intangible Heartshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05047040538015079182noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-17287530410702693732012-03-13T13:38:02.660-06:002012-03-13T13:38:02.660-06:00I think that fame requires a certain level of arro...I think that fame requires a certain level of arrogance and ego to be able to pull it off - humility and fame come together in the rarest of cases. I think also that some writers feel that they have to keep a certain distance from their fanbase, which often backfires.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02548680159204361401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-76841588364763035092012-03-13T11:08:49.851-06:002012-03-13T11:08:49.851-06:00This post had me thinking. I do feel busier than e...This post had me thinking. I do feel busier than ever before, but at the same time, I don't want to rely on that as some lame excuse. I could give you a list, but again, that's an excuse. I'm always willing to help others, though I admit my reaching out has slowed down some. If someone emails me, I do what I can to help because I always appreciate those with initiative. So long as I don't have to sacrifice my writing time too much, I'll help whenever I can. I wouldn't get any writing in otherwise. I hope to write many books, so it's a balance I still have to figure out. :)David P. Kinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17259276981865439853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-11918577919820844972012-03-13T10:50:39.138-06:002012-03-13T10:50:39.138-06:00I would hope that I wouldn't turn into a tyran...I would hope that I wouldn't turn into a tyrant. <br /><br />In my experience, some of these sorts of things are not in control of the author. I used to run a reading series in Chicago, and one time we brought in a pretty well-known poet who wanted to premier some poems from his forthcoming book. Well, he arrived and told us that he totally wanted to read as much poetry as we wanted him to. But his publisher absolutely forbade him to utter one bloody word. We tried to reason with him, but it wasn't his call.<br /><br />For Martin, it might just be that an agent is in his ear about what he should and shouldn't do, and the amount of money he must charge for this or that. Maybe, maybe not. It's hard to judge fairly from afar.REINHARDT!https://www.blogger.com/profile/01809613551100700183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-80940761842509598222012-03-13T10:47:29.901-06:002012-03-13T10:47:29.901-06:00I think George may legitimately be that busy, but ...I think George may legitimately be that busy, but I get what you're saying.<br /><br />I know tons of writers who aren't nearly as famous as he is, but act like they are when they pretend to be so busy.<br /><br />Give me a break. I have a family, a 50 hour a week day-job, and I blog every day, and write manuscripts that are 5 times longer than they need to be. These people can's possibly have any less time than me.Matthew MacNishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03264738483763244969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-57294831717989361002012-03-13T10:47:13.434-06:002012-03-13T10:47:13.434-06:00god i hope i don't get arrogant. But then i...god i hope i don't get arrogant. But then i've never been famous so i don't know how it will change me. I can't see myself ever not appreciating any fans, though. Because fans are awesome!Sarah Ahiershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02795455714801965956noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-35931364620912354882012-03-13T10:22:28.645-06:002012-03-13T10:22:28.645-06:00Read through the comments first and most of what c...Read through the comments first and most of what came to mind someone has already said. Munir had a good point about humility and several others mentioned the thousands of requests some famous people receive, so they can't say yes to everything.<br />Leigh is right - take the Tim Tebow approach. (Or take the Terrell Owens approach and see where that path leads.)Alex J. Cavanaughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09770065693345181702noreply@blogger.com