When to give up – Helen Fitzgerald
 
Every time I start a new book, I think to myself: “This is The One”. I’m about to get cracking on “Cry”, a new book for Faber, and I know it. It’s the one. The fact that I’ve felt this many times before doesn’t matter. 
I’m right this time.
When I mean The One, I don’t mean the Booker Prize winner, or the piece of art that will bring meaning to people’s lives, or that this book will immortalise me. I mean this one will make me some proper money.
Sure, those other things would be nice, but mostly I want to be a champagne socialist who can actually afford champagne.
That’s how shallow I am. A crass Aussie, who has no qualms about admitting that I want to make a good living out of writing.
After all, I spend at least eight hours a day (or night), at least 360 days a year, working like crazy at it.
I wouldn’t put in this kind of effort in any other job and not expect to make money.
Despite the gloom that has surrounded publishing in 2011; I still believe it’s possible.
Sure, I have to diversify – I’d go nuts if all my eggs were in the one basket. So I’m writing a YA thriller for Sohoteen, a dark e-book novella for Snubnose Press, short stories for online anthologies, as well as adapting books into screenplays. Then, of course, there’s “Cry” for Faber.
In two year’s time, it’s my firm belief that I will no longer dread the sound of mail being pushed through my letter box.
Everyone has a different dream, many of them less crass. But this is mine, and I’ll only give up if I stop believing it will happen.

     Helen FitzGerald is a highly acclaimed author and screenwriter. Born in Melbourne, Australia and one of thirteen children, she moved to Glasgow in 1991.  She worked as a parole officer and social worker for ten years before becoming a full-time writer.
DEAD LOVELY and THE DEVIL’S STAIRCASE are currently in development as film productions.
Her first YA, AMELIA O’DONOHUE IS SO NOT A VIRGIN, was published in 2010.
Her YA thriller, The Shot, is to be published in 2013 by Sohoteen.
She is currently writing her new novel for Faber and Faber.