The Audience is helping me but the traveling is hell

Posted on by Sarah A. Hoyt

I know, I know. There is a circle of hell reserved for people who quote Billy Joel on their titles.

However, that’s okay because recently at the diner someone posted a test about which circle of hell you belong to, and I didn’t even qualify. Honestly. Purgatory. Apparently unbridled lust is okay if you’re married to the person you lust after and I rarely have time for any other sins these days. Like… I’d like to experience sloth. Really like. But sloth these days comes in “down to the kitchen to get a cup of coffee to clear my head” instalments. Hardly the thing of grand evil — as I told the dinerites.

And if you’re wondering about the dinerites, well, that’s the point of this post (And I wonder about them too. Heck. I think they wonder about themselves too.)

See, I used to hear that lyric and wonder what old Joel was talking about. Because though I realize fame is often a side effect of making a living from writing, it was never my objective. In fact, I often patted self on shoulder for picking a field where no matter how well known my work gets I could still go to the grocery store unmolested. How the heck can the audience help you, anyway?

And then I wrote a book for Baen and they gave me Sarah’s Diner in their bar. And Sarah’s diner is this … amazing place. People really like my work. And they want to see snippets of it. Even better, the diner is this place where people hang out and talk — okay, mostly of silly things — and enjoy each other’s company and… er… might occasionally sort of accidentally on purpose raid the tavern for imaginary booze and food (No, Mr. Ringo, I KNOW nothing about the missing barbecue grill. Not one thing. I saw nothing.) It’s like a demented parallel life where we can all relax. And through all the insanity, it’s sometimes the only thing that keeps me sane as I lurch from deadline to deadline.

So, the audience is helping me. The traveling, otoh is still hell. Not sure what circle, as they won’t let me in. Too good for hell, too evil for heaven — that’s me.

Sarah

6 thoughts on “The Audience is helping me but the traveling is hell”

  1. Sarah!!!!! When did you get an LJ? This is so cool. I’ve got to get back to that diner, I really do.
    In case you’ve been wondering where I am, Im here on the mainland on Felipe’s computer.

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    1. I was slightly worried
      About your disappearance from AIM. :) But since I’ve — again — run away with all four musketeers, my contact with reality is very tenuous right now.
      Sarah

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      1. Re: I was slightly worried
        Sorry – no aim on this computer. You gotta get msn. :) Anyway – friend me because I friends lock all my posts – when I post – and you won’t get them if you don’t friend me.
        Say hi to D’Artagnan. Oh, what the hey, give him a big hug and kiss. I’m talking about the Musketeer, not the cat. ;) Oh, wait, I’ll see him tomorrow so I can do it myself. (Yeah, I know he’s waaay too young for me)

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