Charlaine Harris Guest Blogs

by Charlaine Harris 

ON EARNING

 

No, I’m not talking about money, at least not specifically. I’m talking about the little benchmarks we all set for ourselves as we progress in our careers, the things that tell us we’re doing at least okay. Are we on track? Are we lagging behind? How much farther to go? Have we earned the respect, the foreign sales, the speaking engagements, the blurb requests, the recognition? What constitutes the rungs on your ladder?

 

When I began my career (though it still makes me snigger to characterize such a random progression as a “career”), my first goal was a money amount. That’s logical enough. We had three small children, I was never good at budgeting, and everything we bought had to be on sale. I thought, “If I could only make $10,000 a book, that would be great.” This was back when dinosaurs ruled the earth, you understand.

 

Oddly enough, money was better at the beginning of my career than it was in the middle. For a short time, that figure was not too hard to hit. Then the slump following my child-bearing sabbatical kicked in, and I had to earn my way back to that initial figure. Once I’d gotten there, I figured, “If I could just make $20,000 a book, it would be fantastic.” And finally I reached that goal. After that, I set my sights on $70,000. Every dollar I earned over that amount seemed like gravy, when I’d finally attained that one. It still does.

 

When I wasn’t as concerned with the health of my bank account, I turned my hopes to other things: awards, of course. I’ve been nominated for a few, and I’ve won one or two, but nowhere on the scale of many of my friends. That was a disappointment. It led me to ask myself, “Which would I rather be, popular or acclaimed?” Since I’m human, I want both, but some days it does seem like an either/or question.

 

Since I’ve been so fortunate the past few years, I’ve been lucky enough to receive a cascade of other marks of recognition, none of which I ever expected or even dreamed about. And they’ve all been sweet, but in a sort of removed way.

 

The point I’m trying to make is that I don’t get excited about honors, or at least not in a jumping-up-and-down kind of way. I’m just not like that. But after August 25, I’ll hold something in my hand that really rocks my world.

 

I’ll be Dr. Harris. Yes, my alma mater, Rhodes College (in Memphis, TN), is giving me a doctorate. For many reasons I won’t delve into, college was difficult for me, and my parents sacrificed considerably to send me to a fine place like Rhodes. After I graduated with a double major in English and Communication Arts, I was pretty sure I’d never sit in another classroom. So this out-of-the-blue recognition has really tickled my fancy. I know only total turkeys make everyone call them “doctor” when they receive an honorary degree, so I’m trying to make a case for myself to pretend I earned the title.

 

I have worked hard for a long time, but not doing the brainwork an advanced degree requires. My “hard work” consists of having a great time in a room all by myself. I have also learned more than I wanted to know about life and people and the way the world works, but that’s not esoteric study in the stacks. I have developed a knack for pleasing people with my work, but an ice cream vendor could do the same.

 

No, I totally haven’t earned a doctorate. But I love the fact that I’m getting one.

 

Just call me Doc. 

Comments

[gaylin in vancouver]

Doc Harris
sounds like someone who makes house calls!

[Harley]

Unless we call you Dr. Charlaine, which sounds like someone who should have their own TV show.

Except you're better than TV and you do make house calls, and airport calls and in-the-car calls, and waiting-for-the-soccer-game-to-start calls, and anywhere else a person can read a book and escape her life for awhile. You're healthier than ice cream and there's no co-pay, as with those other doctors and I'd say you HAVE earned it.

Yay, Charlaine!

[Hank Phillippi Ryan]

And now when we say What's up, Doc? You'll have all kinds of things to tell us. COngratulations.

Eager to see you at Crime BAke!

And thinking of you, dear Charlaine. We love you.

[Cornelia Read]

I'm with Harley... and you made a major housecall at my house (okay, apartment, but still) this week. I was so discouraged and down, and I reread all of your Sookie books in three days. And now I'm back on track and about as sane as I get (in a good way!), which I utterly credit reading you for.

You, Doc, are better than a full dumptruckload of Prozac, not to mention what my Uncle Bill would call "a goddamn genius." Bravo to Rhodes and thank you!

[Karen in Ohio]

Congratulations, Charlaine! This is a well-deserved honor. And thank you for sharing your goals; the potential income for writing is usually shrouded in mystery, and it's good to know there is a way to make halfway decent money after a LOT of hard work.

As for earning this degree: Did you know you can apply life skills experience towards a degree? Yes, although you generally have to pay the equivalent of having taken the courses, etc. to the college/university conferring that degree. Your alma mater clearly decided you deserved this one for free. Take it and run, my dear!

[Karen in Ohio]

HOLLY!! Love, love, love the "Steves"!!!

[stuckinmypedals]

Congratulations! That is such a wonderful honor, Doc.

[Nancy Pickard]

What a thrill, Charlaine! I'm delighted to hear this. Rhodes is one smart cookie/college to be recognizing your achievements at ANY time.

Did you give a speech?

[Kerry]

Congratulations, Charlaine. For what it's worth, I've both earned an advanced degree and watched a *lot* of people receive honorary doctorates. Your accomplishments, which include bringing enormous amounts of joy and pleasure to huge numbers of people, are as worthy of the honor as any I've seen.

Own that title, and use it with pride!

[marie]

Congratulations, Charlaine.
Your talent as a writer took hold when you needed it most.
Having a family, making goals, and finally getting the recognition that you deserve makes it a Cinderella story to me.
Doctor Harris suits you and enjoy all the fruits of your labor.

[Tom]

Your success, in and of itself, has pleased me greatly. You've managed to maintain individuality with commercial rewards.

But this new milestone? It just pleases the living bejeebers outta me; this is, of course, the preferred method for ridding oneself of living bejeebers, so I am most grateful to you for sharing the good news.

There's no doubt you've earned it.

(P.S. - Please tell Harper we miss her.)

[storyteller Mary]

"I have developed a knack for pleasing people with my work, but an ice cream vendor could do the same."
Now you have me wondering if I should be an ice cream vendor . . . .?
We did very briefly consider an ice cream shop for sale by campus when there were no jobs for newly minted teachers . . . but I was afraid I would sample the wares too much ;-)
Congratulations! . . and you have earned it! (Isn't Cosby's doctorate an honorary one as well?)

[Margaret Maron]

What Tom said, Charlaine. I do understand about bringing a character to an ending point, but you made Harper so real, so vulnerable, I really was hoping for at least a half-dozen more. She was on my "comfort read shelf next to Jane Austen.

[Karen in Ohio]

Harper is my favorite character of yours, too, Charlaine.

[Marie-Reine]

What Harley and Cornelia said... definitely a doc!

[Kathy Reschini Sweeney]

Doc Harris to the editing desk, stat!

No one deserves the success or recognition more than you, Charlaine - just please don't get comfortable enough to retire and stop writing all together!! xo

[Charlaine Harris]

Thanks, you all. I think the tendency of writers to shroud their earnings in secrecy is because we get paid so darn little, especially in the early stages of our careers. I've gotten $4,500 for a book. Yes, a whole book! Not just the first word of every sentence.

For you Harper fans, there's a middling chance you'll see her on televison next year. But only a chance. I know it's not the same as the books, but the Harper books were like reinventing the wheel every single time since it was a travelling series.

Charlaine

[Karen in Ohio]

Be still my heart. Of course, it would probably not be on network, so I would have to wait to see it on Hulu or DVD, but it would still be amazing.

Good luck, Charlaine!

[Karen K]

Charlaine,
The degrees have finally caught up to your many accomplishments. And your readers have appreciated your many talents. Congratulations.

[gaylin in vancouver]

The Dr. Is In.

I have read everything of yours I could find in print and I am a big fan of Lily Bard. Sookie is wonderful entertainment as well but I don't watch the tv show.

Keep writing!

[Nancy Pickard]

I'd *love* to see Harper on tv! Fingers crossed.

[Elaine Viets]

Hey, Doc. You're entitled to the title. You all cure my boredom. Congrats.

[Becky Hutchison]

Congratulations, Charlaine! You gave me a dose of Sookie medicine when you visited Annapolis with Marcia Talley, TLC's Elaine, Susan McBride and Julia Spencer-Fleming, and healed my nonfiction reading rut with a good ole' mystery! Thanks to you and all the other writers at the Annapolis Barnes & Noble that Sunday in May, I am now an avid mystery reader and hopefully one day a published mystery author too. You're a wonderful writer and deserve every bit of that doctorate. Kudos!

[Charlaine Harris]

Thanks. I well remember that trip; Annapolis was amazing, and the hospitality shown us by my friend Marcia Talley was just as amazing. We had a great time. I'm so glad you're a mystery reader now!

And as for curing boredom: the Doctor is IN.

Actually, network TV.

Charlaine Harris