For those of you who know me, I’m far from a country gal.  So to say that I actually watched, and enjoyed, Country Strong is saying something. This movie was nothing like I expected but it was a real eye opener for me.

The basis of the movie is how fame can destroy your life.  Isn’t that the truth.  Just pick up any smutty tabloid and you can see how money and fame can lead to addictions and divorce, or worse.  So why does fame do this to people?

I don’t know about you, but I’m a pretty private person.  I would never like being forced into having body guards for my family, security posted at the gates to my mansion or cameras flashing in my car windows.  No one would like this.

So this movie made me stop and think.  This country singer had the “perfect life” and yet she was miserable.  Why?

Most of us couldn’t begin to comprehend such a life.  We can sit on the outside, guessing and whispering about how wonderful it must be to have adoring fans…but is it really wonderful?

Choose fame or love.  That was the message of this movie.  I can’t speak from experience, cause I’m still trying to catch that book deal, but I’m guessing that you can have both, if the love part came first.  Having a supportive family to keep you grounded is essential, in my opinion. Money can change you if you let it.

I don’t write for money.  I don’t write for some major book deal.  I write because I want to entertain.  I want people to drift away for a few hours, to step into my world and cast away their cares, even if only for a short time.  The day I start writing for money is the day I need to quit.  The drive for money tarnishes everything.

Am I saying I wouldn’t love a steady income from a writing career?  Nope.  I’d love that!  But that is not what drives me.  My husband is one of the hardest working men I know and his efforts have allowed me to remain home to write.  For that I am eternally grateful.  This is my chance to follow my dream.  So yeah, I’d love to bring a little income into my household…but I’m not driven by the money.

It’s YOU, dare I say my fans, that keep me writing.  I wish there was enough room to dedicate my books to each of you.  But it’s the thought that counts, right?

So what do you think?  Can you find fame and stay grounded?  Or would money be too great a test?