Writers have it easy. If you write a bestseller or have your book made into a movie, you'll never have to work again, or so the myth goes.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
Unfortunately, the author of a book pretty much gives up control of the story when the producers take over a book to make it into a movie.
I think most writers will say that at the start of each book they think, 'I'm not sure I can do this.' But eventually, you reach a magical point where the story suddenly becomes real to you, and you become totally invested in it.
I always assumed I could never make a living out of literary fiction, and I was right. When I did try, it took four years before being published.
It's never really easy to be successful as a writer when you're trying to write literary fiction. You've already limited your readership limited by that choice.
Writing fiction is the 'job' I try to keep at the center of things. The movie stuff has been a wonderful accident, though not entirely bizarre, either, as I have done some work in film before, and even directed a ridiculous, cable-access feature back in my 20s.
I know that it's axiomatic in the film industry that you're not supposed to let the novelist develop their own story. Well, first of all, that's kind of up to the novelist - because they don't have to sell it. But also, I don't believe it. It's about trust.
My book sales make 'real writers' possible.
The hardest thing in the world for a writer is to amass a readership. So many good books come out, and so many good books disappear.
Much of my publishing life was consumed by the memoirs of movie stars - or by attempts to get them to write a memoir.
Writers are so used to books being optioned and then the movie never happens.