The Four Types of Husbands for Successful Writers
Eileen Dreyer has entertained thousands of readers of mysteries and romance. But if you spend any time with her in person, you’ll find she’s deadly funny on the subject of writing and writers. The Lipstick Chronicles prevailed upon her to tell us her theories of the four types of husband of successful writers while she wasn’t out promoting her newest suspense paperback, SINNERS AND SAINTS. The Four Types of Husbands for Successful Writers By Eileen Dreyer
These are the four types of husbands seen with successful (meaning still employed) women writers. It started out being romance writers, but tracks right across into other genres. Husbands have been known to move from type to type, also. Unfortunately, more often in the
wrong direction. Ahem!
Husband Type 1: The Love Husband
Tends to show up after his wife has made her money. Has questionable background (membership in an heretofore unknown Indian nation or the Israeli Mossad is a favorite), even more questionable artistic talent, which the wife funds.
I do have pressings of one singing "between a rock and a hard place" in his leather thong. Finally, she sees the light and pulls the plug after catching him plugging one of the guests at a fan conference. We think one author killed and ate her husband after they procreated.
Husband Type 2: "Our Success"
He considers the career – created, managed and maintained by the wife – to belong to both of them. It is "our" agent, "our" contracts, "our" bestseller.
"Our Success" can often be seen shilling wife's work at conferences (I know this is completely unfamiliar to you guys), is particularly adept at shooting wife's career in the foot by interfering, insulting and aggravating every professional in her life. Truly the most uncomfortable of husbands, since at any publishing function he tends to stick to you like dogshit to your shoe.
And if the wife’s obnoxious, they tag team.
Husband Type 3: Mr. Threatened
He is so threatened by his wife's success and growing independence, that he either runs away --either physically or mentally – or becomes abusive.
Remember that the vast majority of us came to writing as a second or third career; moreover, our success was unexpected – at least by the husband. We've actually lost two romance authors to murder.
Husband Type 4: Mr. Perfect
I’m not exaggerating. He is perfect. He is supportive, supporting, at least as delighted as his wife by her success, his ego is completely separate from her success or lack thereof, he is a great help and the best cheerleader in the world. Okay, he will complain on occasion about the laundry not being done. But he doesn't mind being called Mr. Kathleen Korbel. In fact, he thinks it's a
kick in the head.
The really odd thing is that we realized that most of these guys bear a startling resemblance. I swear to God. They are mostly fair complected – light brown, red or blonde hair – medium to big build, and have what my editor calls "that cute pinchability" where you just want to take their cheeks and go "wudgy wudgy wudgy." Facial hair is optional.
Moreover, these men tend to fall into left brain careers: engineers, computer experts, chemists, etc. They tend to be much happier handling the practical side of the couple's life. If they partner with their wives to help with their businesses, they are excellent associates. They stick to no one’s shoes, but are remembered fondly by all they meet.
There is no known bridge between the first three husbands and Type 4. There is just this giant chasm. I've seen a couple of Type 3s make the climb to 4s, but I've never seen a 4 fall backwards into any other category.
And there you have it. I'm thinking of doing a paper for American Psychology.