Is anyone a novelist (or other kind of writer) at least partially in hopes that good-looking members of the preferred gender will be attracted?
I’ve heard this line tossed off amongst male rock musicians—they do it for the girls. The groupies show up, and the rock musicians can have their pick of bed mates. I have also heard rumors concerning famous writers, like John Gardner, who would go on college tours, and it was expected that the organizers would provide willing young women who would entertain the writer after the reading.
Do any of you write so you can get laid? If not entirely, then in part? Do you want people to fall in love with you just through your words? Do you want your published work to woo a lover, so that when you arrive in person, you don’t have to do much work? Do you fantasize about being placed on a pedestal where people feel ever so grateful to be in your presence and will do just about anything for you?
If you do, how much is that a part of your motivation? Why does this motivate you? Has it ever worked? How does it feel?
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14 Answers
It honestly never occurred to me, @daloon, not for myself and not for anyone else. It should have, I guess, because I think anyone who performs before an audience in some way (ministers, doctors, philosophy professors) can have groupies. And according to some analysts, men seek power so they can have the women.
But even when I fantasize about writing success, which is so far only a fantasy, it never crosses my mind that my work might make me the object of someone’s affectionate interest. I just want the reader to understand, appreciate, and enjoy what I write.
Well, that’s looking at the long view, I suppose…...
I write chess literature and report about basketball. If I thought being a writer would help me get laid, I would write mass market fiction and for magazines that appeal to women.
Like @Jeruba, I’ve never even thought of that.
But now that you’ve placed the notion in my head, I might get off my ass and write something just to get laid!
I’ve always heard (from writers) that it doesn’t get you chicks.
I write because if I didn’t, my head woudl explode. I have to let the creativity out. Nowadays, it is cool to be a writer. Back when I was single, it was nerdy and chicks wanted guys with big guns (arms, not weapons) and no brains. Who knew that I would be born twenty years too soon.
@kevbo comedians don’t get the chicks either.
I do the things I do to get attention from everyone.
It’s not a sexual thing. It’s a needy thing.
If you’re writing in order to get babes, you’re not a writer.
And if you’re a babe who hooks up with a writer who’s in it for babes, you’re not a reader.
@frdelrosario
This.
I’d imagine though that it’s natural for someone to fantasize about success, fame, respect et al regardless of his or her profession. Similarly I’m not surprised that John Gardner might have slept with students. But those aren’t good reasons for writing, and they don’t make good writers.
And speaking from personal experience, most new people I meet are unimpressed by my pursuit of an English degree.
It is way too hard to write good books just so you can get chicks. It is much easier and more effective to develop a good line of conversation.
Besides, good writing is such hard and involving work that many writers have no time to worry about the opposite sex.
Old joke: Did you hear about the polish actress who tried to get ahead by sleeping with the writer?
Pretty much says it all.
I know someone who, while not a writer purely to get the ladies, has participated in NaNoWriMo in an attempt to score a girlfriend. And it worked.
I’m going to marry him.
nah, beatnik chicks creep me out… and they always want to cuddle…
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