Monday, April 26, 2010

If I Had a Million Dollars...

What would you do if your books were as successful as Stephen King's, Stephenie Meyers's, or J.K. Rowling's? Would you buy an island? A private jet? A half dozen castles?

I like to think if I ever made it big I would pay it forward within the writing community, perhaps offering college scholarships to aspiring writers. (Or conference scholarships! That'd be a fun way to help bunches of peeps.)

The truth is, most writers will never be THAT big. But we do deserve to be rewarded. Seven years ago when Bethany and I made a pact to each write a novel, we also agreed that we deserved to be rewarded for our work. We decided to buy one piece of jewelry for ourselves for every completed book. We've written nearly a dozen manuscripts between us, so we've not stuck to this, but we have bought a few lovely (and surprisingly affordable!) pieces from jewelry creator extraordinaire B.J. Anderson. (She also writes Middle Grade fiction.)

Bethany and I both have a necklace similar to the one modeled above, and I have a bracelet like the one below.


Her jewelry can be found at Bonny Lass on Etsy if you are looking to reward yourself. *wink*

Do you reward yourself when you complete a project? What would you do if you had a million dollars?

~Suzette~

P. S. I don't often post vids, but this kid Jordan has a really funny take on the Barenaked Ladies song (he makes up random gifts when he forgets the lyrics.)



Have a great week!

44 comments:

JE said...

Cute video!

The jewelry idea is pretty neat. Now I'm going to think of something to reward myself with! Chocolate anyone? Hmm..no, I already eat to much of that ;-) Darn!

~JD

Unknown said...

*sputters*

I had no idea Bonny made jewelry! *off to check her site out now*

And I love the idea of rewarding yourselves for mss. Brill!

Christi Goddard said...

I want to reward myself with chocolate. A lot of it. And after that, new teeth.

Christine Fonseca said...

I already decided that once I sell my fiction, I am donating a certain amount to promotoe literacy in public schools and through our library system. As for teh NF - I plan to donate a portion of those sales to promote programs for gifted youth in public schools. See, I'm always thinking on that stuff :D

Tracy Loewer said...

I reward myself with a nap, because let's face it; who couldn't use another reason to take one? mmmm, naps...

Candyland said...

*scratches chin*
One. Million. Dollars.
I'd have to go with a much needed vacay.

Tracy Loewer said...

Oh, and if I had a million dollars (I love that song, hehe), I'd definitely donate to several worthy causes, and then we'd take a trip to Disneyworld. The kids are dying to go.

Lydia Kang said...

I like the idea of rewarding oneself with jewels after a book is done. I'll try to remember that!

Alicia Evans said...

If I had a million dollars...well, I have a family to take care of with a new baby on the way. I'd get us a house out of this forsaken neighborhood, take my daughter on a Dora the Explorer shopping spree--get my fiance that video camera he's been wanting...and then..in my new house with my daughter content with all things Dora, my fiance video taping everything he can...I'd sit inthe tub...in the quiet and day...'Finally.'

Unknown said...

I should reward myself! Though I don't know if my husband would always approve, I might finish projects more quickly though!!

I think you have a great idea giving back to the writing community, I think I would do the same, give a little love back!

Unknown said...

I recently finished my first novel and rewarded myself with a night out with my hubby. A million bucks? We'd definitely donate some to our favorite charities AND our date night out might be little fancier next time. :)

storyqueen said...

I want that turquoise and pearl necklace sooo bad!!

If one of my books sells soon, I'm going to buy it!

Shelley

Suzette Saxton said...

Bonny's jewelry is surprisingly affordable! (Think I'll go add that to the blog post.)

Angela said...

I think everyone who finishes a novel deserves an award. What a great idea! As for the million dollars...it would definitely to toward my horse addiction...a bigger farm with lots of beautiful horses, and a real vacation for my kids.

Sherrie Petersen said...

I love the Barenaked Ladies!

And BTW, Stephen King would probably be pretty ticked that you put him next to Stephanie Meyer :)

Carolyn V. said...

LOL! I'd buy you a new skunk! That was awesome, what a cute guy.

I reward myself by eating a chocolate bar - the big kind (okay, two of them. Mmmmmm!!!!)

Unknown said...

I like the jewelery idea (love me some Etsy!), and those pieces are gorgeous! :D

Steena Holmes said...

I like the idea of rewarding myself! Thanks ;) And I think either jewelery or hand bag would be perfect!

Unknown said...

a million dollars?hmmm...feed a hundred people, send some kids to school, and travel!

B.J. Anderson said...

Oh my, I'm blushing. :D Thanks for the shout out, Suzette! You're awesome!! :D

Unknown said...

Very true! And I was thinking of the college scholarships as well, since I'm looking at how important they are right now. I'd love to try the bracelet thing- unfortunately, I'm my own jeweler. ;D Maybe I'll buy a prom dress when I see my novel hit the shelves. (Thinking: "Nah, I'll just borrow one of the donated ones that the office brings in every year and deal, even though I'd love to embellish the fabric...oh, right. they're not mine.")

2nd plan: Chocolate. You can never go wrong with it. :)

Unknown said...

Oooh, the chocolate idea has already caught on. Sad to say, I've already given up my dieting plans at fifteen... no remorse from now on, beware... *evil grin*

Katie said...

I love her jewelry! So beautiful! She has one piece I'm totally in love with, but I've got to set aside some money for it. I WOULD like one of the more expensive ones...*sigh*

Myrna Foster said...

I didn't know that Bonny sold jewelry either. She has a great writing blog.

You picked my favorite song by Bare Naked Ladies. This little guy's version is pretty funny though.

"If I had a million dollars, I'd buy you a green dress. But not a real green dress - that's cruel." LOL!

Stina said...

That's too funny. Do you remember the dolphin charm and bracelet in the five pages of mine you critted? They play a significant role in the story. I bought similar ones during my recent trip to San Francisco. That was my reward to myself. :D

Michelle McLean said...

I LOVE Bonny's jewelry! I have several of her necklaces. She's my big reward also LOL I get to buy another one when my first advance check comes in - so excited!!!

JoLynne Lyon said...

I'm with the barenaked ladies. I want a couch, and maybe a green dress.

Amanda Gaume said...

Great post! I don't know what I'd do with that much money. I think I would sink it into my local public schools to help with literacy and science. But I'd save a little to buy me a few more sparklies made by BJ... (as if my jewelry box doesn't runneth over already...)

Tess said...

I'd pay of my hubby's student loans, then the mortgage then we'd travel!

I didn't know BJ made such lovely jewelry .. thanks for sharing that link.

Sarah Ahiers said...

i'd buy a hobby farm and live on all my land with tons of animals.
sigh.
one day.

Bethany Wiggins said...

I'd buy a fence, window-well covers and a laptop. And then I'd sit down in the kitchen while the wee ones played out in the yard and type.

As for the jewelry, I'm wearing the necklace in the picture this very moment. I LOVE it.

kah said...

How did I not know B.J. made jewelry? Why didn't I get that memo?
Thanks for telling me. :)

If I had millions I'd first take care of my parents financially, then I'd work on giving back to the writing and dancing communities. My two passions in life.

Oh, and maybe a tropical vacation or two. Gotta reward myself at some point. ;)

Anonymous said...

I robbed myself when I completed my first MS. I didn't really do anything. I should have. I like your idea! I bet you will always thing of the MS when you see the peice of jewelry.

Thanks for the good idea.

If I had a million dollars? I would be able to quit my "day job", and focus more on writing!

JEM said...

Oh, my partner-in-crime will never forgive you for putting such a suggestion in my head...perhaps a shopping spree to reward myself? Eeeeeeexcellent.

suzie townsend said...

Oh my gosh, I love that video. Too funny :)

Christina Farley said...

I love your idea! And that bracelet is a must have. I don't do much except eat chocolate- ha! But I think I'm going to do something more special now that you mention it.

Anonymous said...

I like the idea of buying a new skunk. Everyone needs a new one of those. And a slime gun.

I never thought to reward myself. Hmm. Maybe a little bribery will get this train to the station.

(so so so so great to see you both this weekend! I'm serious about that lunch!)

Unknown said...

I really like the idea of paying it forward to help other aspiring authors. I think I would use money on setting up contests for aspiring authors to motivate them to produce quality work and have a chance for others to see it.

Cindy Beck, author said...

If I had a ton of money, I'd definitely set up scholarships to writing conferences. A few of my favorite conferences to include would be Highlights, LDStorymakers, Erma Bombeck, and any conference Dave Wolverton does.

Very pretty jewelry, by the way. I can see that first necklace looking fantastic on you, Suzette!

Sharon K. Mayhew said...

If I made a million dollars I'd donate more to a charity fund that was started to honor a friend of mine that passed away. She was a pretty, young, energetic woman.

I'd travel...I mean do more research. I'd attend more conferences without feeling guilty for spending the money. :)

Stephanie McGee said...

I'd travel. Selfish and worldly, I know. But it's the truth.

Rachael said...

Oo that is a neat idea! I usually just celebrate with my writer friends, eat something with a lot of sugar, and then relax for the night.

It's kind of long story what I'd do if I had a million dollars. Involving world traveling, animal-related charities, and lots of horses.

Gail said...

You mean what would I do AFTER paying off my mom's mortgage?

I'd give half of it to charity, then maybe splurge on myself.

IJ said...

Hi there,

Its been a while since I popped by to drop a comment and I trust that you are doing great. Well, I am a firm believer in celebrating ourselves from time to time. It is so easy to focus on the mistakes we make and say 'we could have done better', but what about all the things we have done right? Yes, ladies and men, remember to reward yourselves because you do deserve it.

Have a blessed weekend!
LJ