Writer’s Rant for 1/6/24


My Claim to Fame


“When I was growing up I always wanted to be someone. Now I realize I should have been more specific.” (Lily Tomlin). It’s true, isn’t it? We all want our fifteen minutes of fame. We all want a legacy of sorts; to be remembered for something. Fame comes in many forms. Unfortunately, the most prevalent these days are the shooters. It certainly is a means to become famous (or infamous). But what good is becoming famous when you end up dead or in prison for life? I would like to be remembered for something good; making a contribution of sorts. My first claim to fifteen minutes of fame was an opportunity to be on the news. There was a rabid fox on our horse farm and one of the local news channels wanted to interview me about it. I said “no thank you”. I wasn’t looking then for fifteen minutes of fame, or even five minutes for that matter. Besides, I’m camera shy and I don’t like having my picture taken. If I ever achieve fame of any kind, it will be through my writing. I wrote my first book, titled RUNNING SHOES, during Covid and it was published last July. It’s a work of fiction, primarily about two brothers growing up in a dysfunctional family, and their rise above it. I donated copies of the book to public libraries in Wake County (Raleigh NC) and my hometown in upstate N.Y. after it was reviewed and accepted by them. I’ve sold copies as well on Amazon and Kindle. And for Christmas, I gave some of my grand kids copies of my book. I told them they didn’t have to read it now (and the younger ones probably shouldn’t), but someday, I hoped they would. It won’t be fifteen minutes of fame for me; just something to be remembered by. And that’s all the fame I really need. 1/6/24