Define Success

Struggling for brain fodder
As Lee Ann so eloquently posted in her most recent post, what does one write about when one doesn't have anything to write about? Struggling to produce an intelligible (and hopefully intelligent) post on writing, I turned to a fellow writer for inspiration, juggled with some ideas, and used the last drops of my brain juice reserves in an attempt to answer a generic, yet mystifying question often bandied about in the writing world.

Successful?
adj.
1. turning out as hoped for
2. having gained wealth, fame, etc.

The aforementioned defines 'successful' according to oft-consulted Webster. But does the same criteria apply when trying to determine whether a writer is successful?

I often read with pity countless writers' biographies that describe prolific writing lives lived out in obscurity, only to eventually come to posthumous recognition and appreciation. Were they successful? I have read of other writers wildly popular in their times, but who have been reduced to but footnotes in writing history. But were they successful? There are writers today whose titles dominate the New York Times Best Seller List, but whose work has been met with little or no critical acclaim. Are they successful? There are writers today whom critics laud, but whose popular appeal is limited or nonexistent. Are they still successful? It's easy to see how Webster isn't terribly helpful in defining something as seemingly subjective as success.

So . . . define success
Hmmm . . . it would be easy for me to give a touchy-feely answer like, "If the writer's words connect and resonate with the reader, the work would be considered successful." I mean, it sounds nice, but somehow it feels lacking. I think perhaps what lends success any gravitas is the concept of timelessness. There are truths that transcend era and context. Though it's definitely important to consider era and context when reading, examining and criticizing writing, for me, the best definition of successful writing would be writing that communicates timeless truth, regardless of critical or popular acclaim and recognition during the writer's life or afterward.

I've taken a stab at it. Anyone else, of course, is more than welcome to as well. In the meantime, I'll be recharging and praying that the reservoirs of my brain will once more flow freely with inspirational juice. Graduate school is to brain juice as current gas prices are to gasoline.

Currently reading: Los Milagros de Nuestra Señora by Gonzalo de Berceo