Norah Colvin

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Living for fame posthumously

Living for fame, posthumously flash fiction

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Norah

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Would you sell your soul to the devil to be rich and famous in life, or would you be content with fame after your death?

While most of us might say that it’s not fame or fortune we seek, many spend untold energy and funds on marketing our writing, hopeful of reaching a few extra readers and recouping a few of those hard-earned dollars.

Most of us would say we have no desire to go down in history like some of these whose works were unknown or unrecognised in life, but lauded after death; including:

  • Edgar Allan Poe (Writer)
  • Emily Dickinson (Poet)
  • Franz Kafka (Writer)
  • Galileo Galilei (Scientist)
  • Henry David Thoreau (Philosopher)
  • Herman Melville (writer)
  • John Keats (Poet)
  • Oscar Wilde (writer)
  • Stieg Larsson (writer)
  • Vincent Van Gogh (Artist)

and others you can read about at ScoopWhoop here and here, and also on Toptenz here, where the suggestion is made to never give up because there is no way of knowing what lies ahead.

However, this article by Daniel Grant writing for the Huffington Post and this one on Quora both address the question of an artist’s posthumous fame and agree that, if you weren’t famous in life, you’re unlikely to be famous in death. Perhaps we’d better go for the fame and fortune while we live.

Carrot Ranch flash fiction challenge - unremembered

Why am I thinking about posthumous fame? It’s not that I’m thinking of dying and then being discovered anytime soon. No, it’s as a result of the flash fiction prompt set by Charli Mills at the Carrot Ranch this week.

Charli challenged writers to In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story about someone unremembered. Is it a momentary lapse or a loss in time? Play with the tone — make it funny, moving, or eerie. Go where the prompt leads you!

This is how my story plays out.

Unremembered

A recluse, unremarkable and forgotten in life and unremembered in death, she’d lived in her own world hidden behind overhanging branches and overgrown gardens. Unseen for so long, newcomers didn’t know she existed, thinking it was simply undeveloped land.

One day, developers came and pushed down the trees and cleared the undergrowth. They paused at the sight of the tiny wooden structure their work revealed. Unsure how to proceed, they investigated. Though not art enthusiasts, they knew that what they discovered was something special. When the work was curated and exhibited in galleries worldwide, she was never unremembered again.

Thank you blog post

Thank you for reading. I appreciate your feedback. Please share your thoughts.

Comments

79 responses to “Living for fame posthumously”

  1. Susan Zutautas Avatar
    Susan Zutautas

    What a fantastic flash Norah. Love it!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Norah Avatar
      Norah

      Thank you, Susan.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  2. srbottch Avatar
    srbottch

    I just hope that my family and a few friends remember me and that I’m worth remembering. Your story was fantastic, so much packed into 99 words. I enjoyed it.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Norah Avatar
      Norah

      Thank you, Steve. I think there are many who will remember you for the positive difference you made in their lives. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. srbottch Avatar
        srbottch

        Wow, now that would be great. And thank you for that nice sentiment.

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
        1. Norah Avatar
          Norah

          You are welcome, Steve.

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply
  3. Jennie Avatar
    Jennie

    A strong flash fiction, Norah. There is much pause for thought. Well done!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Norah Avatar
      Norah

      Thank you, Jennie. I appreciate your kind words.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Jennie Avatar
        Jennie

        You are welcome, Norah.

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
  4. Jim Borden Avatar
    Jim Borden

    nice job with the flash fiction. I think we’d all like a little recognition for what we’ve done with our lives while we are alive, and then we can hope that we will continue to be remembered.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Norah Avatar
      Norah

      Sounds like a nice balance, Jim. I’m sure you will achieve both.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Jim Borden Avatar
        Jim Borden

        thanks, Norah!

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
  5. Book Club Mom Avatar
    Book Club Mom

    I think I’d like my talents to be recognized in the here and now, but I’m not so sure I’d want to be famous for them. Great post, Norah!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Norah Avatar
      Norah

      I think I agree with you, Barbara. I don’t need to be famous, but I would like be a positive influence on the lives of some.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Book Club Mom Avatar
        Book Club Mom

        You and I are alike!

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
        1. Norah Avatar
          Norah

          💖

          Like

          Reply
  6. dgkaye Avatar
    dgkaye

    Great post Norah. Makes us think about how and will we be remembered. I’m glad the girl in your story would never be unremembered again. ❤

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Norah Avatar
      Norah

      We all deserve someone to remember us, Debby. You will be remembered by many for many reasons, including all your wonderful books which have touched so many lives.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. dgkaye Avatar
        dgkaye

        That was a most beautiful thing to say Norah. Thank you ❤

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
        1. Norah Avatar
          Norah

          I speak from the heart, Debby. 💖

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply
          1. dgkaye Avatar
            dgkaye

            You are good for the soul. ❤

            Liked by 1 person

            Reply
            1. Norah Avatar
              Norah

              That’s is an affirming comment, Debby. Thank you. 💖

              Liked by 1 person

              Reply
              1. dgkaye Avatar
                dgkaye

                Just sayin’ 🙂

                Liked by 1 person

                Reply
                1. Norah Avatar
                  Norah

                  💖

                  Liked by 1 person

                  Reply
  7. Bette A. Stevens Avatar
    Bette A. Stevens

    Well done, Norah! Plenty of food for thought in this prompt… My hope to be remembered as a positive influence to family and descendants. Great would be that reward! ❤ xo

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Norah Avatar
      Norah

      Then I think you will be richly rewarded, Bette. 💖

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  8. Jules Avatar
    Jules

    In some family traditions perhaps for some kind of immortality there are son’s and daughters too named Jr after a living relative. Other traditions only name a new child after the death of an ancestor – so that too they family names live on.

    Fame though is another ball of wax. I think I’ve used up all of mine 😉 One year in another state I had a winter photograph come in as an honorable mention and got my photo with the town mayor!… I’ve had little bits of recognition here and there. 😉

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Norah Avatar
      Norah

      I guess there are different ways of being remembered, of being ‘famous’ as you say, Jules. Congratulations on your honourable mention and photo with the mayor. I’m sure he found you memorable. Enjoy!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Jules Avatar
        Jules

        That was a long time ago… 😉
        Everyone who entered got a photo with the mayor… But it was nice – maybe I’m archived somewhere …?

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
        1. Norah Avatar
          Norah

          I’m sure you are. You are a part of the history. 🙂

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply
          1. Jules Avatar
            Jules

            I’d rather be and am a part of the CR continuum 🙂

            Liked by 1 person

            Reply
            1. Norah Avatar
              Norah

              You are indeed! 💖

              Liked by 1 person

              Reply
  9. Jacqui Murray Avatar
    Jacqui Murray

    What a nice story. She truly wasn’t doing her art for fame or fortune. There’s a purity to that.

    I do have this unsettling feeling lately that I haven’t done anything with my life. Is it enough to raise two wonderful children, to lead the best life I could, treat others fairly? Everyone can’t be Mother Theresa or the Dali Lhama. I just don’t know.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Norah Avatar
      Norah

      I’m pleased you enjoyed the story, Jacqui. Thank you.
      But if you haven’t done anything with your life, I haven’t started living yet!
      You have made a wonderful contribution and achieved so much. Your contribution of two wonderful human beings who are now making their own contributions is just the tip of the iceberg. Relax. Enjoy!

      Like

      Reply
  10. Prior... Avatar
    Prior…

    Enjoyed the part of your post
    , with the layered topic of fame! — leading up to the list of those artists recognized after death – and some names were new to me so I might be exploring later!
    –
    Then your fiction flowed right in and I wonder how many folks in real life end up pulling back into a recluse hideaway and have this lifestyle – so plausible and I could imagine the branches and overgrowth around her place.
    Then my thoughts went to Van Gogh
    (Because he was on the list baby) and yeas who I saw some documentaries on his life and had it not been for his sister n law – with her guilt and grief and love – we might not have seen any art from this many that touched so many with his works!
    And so in your story – the heroes here were the “they”
    The team of construction workers who were not too busy to crush and plow ahead!
    I think you have three sentences with “they” leading up to how this artists work was then global- and the unsung heroes are the ones we can thank on so many occasions !

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Norah Avatar
      Norah

      Thank you for your thoughtful and detailed comment, Yvette.
      I’m so pleased we have been able to appreciate Van Gogh’s work. Some of my favourite pieces are The Sunflowers and Starry Night. Such beautiful works.
      Interesting that you picked up on the ‘they’. I do tend to use pronouns rather than names in my stories. I’m not sure if it’s because I have difficulty with choosing names (as a teacher I’ve taught children with so many names), because I want to protect the innocent (really – fictional characters?) or to recognise the unsung heroes, as you say, to whom we owe so much.
      Enjoy the rest of your week. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Prior... Avatar
        Prior…

        Hi Norah – years ago when my own children were little – I used to love how my mother n law used “we” when correcting them – “now we don’t say – ” – Or “remember what “we” do instead?”
        it was so unifying –
        —
        and I have not thought to much about pronouns in stories so that angle is new to me for fiction (but in APA style – like when I help students with research papers – well the pronouns usually go)….
        – but in your piece – the way you used they at the end had that team effect –
        and it kept it more of a team minded thing as opposed to bringing in one specific character –
        maybe one specific character (named) would have pulled from he flow of getting us to the global recognition – maybe it would have taken some strength from the story – so I think it was a great choice and obviously is part of your style right now…
        —
        and the potato eaters is one of my favs from van gogh
        and — his postman paintings – Lol

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
        1. Norah Avatar
          Norah

          Thank you so much for your thoughtful interpretation and validation of my writing style, Yvette. I appreciate it.
          I think the impressionists were/are my favourite painters. (If I don’t count all the very talented picture book illustrators. 🙂 )

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply
          1. Prior... Avatar
            Prior…

            Well I agree about the impressionists and book illustrators – ha- and good thing is we do not have to pick one over the other – 😊

            Liked by 1 person

            Reply
            1. Norah Avatar
              Norah

              It is. We can have many favourites. 🙂

              Liked by 1 person

              Reply
  11. Hugh's Views and News Avatar
    Hugh’s Views and News

    I look at fame like I do luck, Norah. Unless you do something that makes it possible, then you will probably never encounter it. On the other hand, some would say they are lucky to have lived a wonderful life to a good age. But is that really ‘luck’ playing it’s hand or is it just because of the way we lived our life?
    There is a saying that everyone has their 15 minutes of fame. I think I had mine when there was some filming being done at Waterloo railway station in London, and I could see myself in the background on the news interview that was being filmed.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Norah Avatar
      Norah

      I think you’re right about luck having a lot to do with it, Hugh. But it also requires a lot of effort too, as you say. Congratulations on your 15 minutes of fame. I think you’re quite famous in the WP circle – for more than 15 minutes. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Hugh's Views and News Avatar
        Hugh’s Views and News

        That’s kind of you to say, Norah. With millions of blogs out there, it shows that my efforts here on WordPress must be working. 😀

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
        1. Norah Avatar
          Norah

          Not must be, is!

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply
  12. beth Avatar
    beth

    an interesting thing to ponder. I would like to be famous with those I care about and have them remember me after.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Norah Avatar
      Norah

      I agree, Beth. I think most of us are in agreement on that.

      Like

      Reply
  13. Miriam Hurdle Avatar
    Miriam Hurdle

    Great question you asked, Norah. I think many poets, artists in the history might not think of fame but did what they loved to do and became famous after their deaths. Emily Dickinson locked herself up in the room and wrote poetry on scraps of paper. She didn’t think of becoming famous. I know some artists wanted to sell their work but was not appreciated in their life time.

    Your flash fiction is cute. I’m glad she was not unremembered.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Norah Avatar
      Norah

      Thanks for your interesting comment, Miriam.
      I’m with you. I’m pleased she was not unremembered. I don’t think it made any difference to her life, though.

      Like

      Reply
      1. Miriam Hurdle Avatar
        Miriam Hurdle

        No, Norah. Many people don’t think in terms of being remembered. I write because my daughter wants to know more about me and wants my granddaughter to remember me.

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
        1. Norah Avatar
          Norah

          I think that is the best reason, Miriam – to write about your life for those you love, so they will know more about you and their history.

          Like

          Reply
          1. Miriam Hurdle Avatar
            Miriam Hurdle

            That’s right. In fact, my hubby’s siblings are going to India to trace their roots. Their grandfather was in the British military stationed in India in WWI.

            Liked by 1 person

            Reply
            1. Norah Avatar
              Norah

              What an interesting ancestry to trace.

              Liked by 1 person

              Reply
  14. Anne Goodwin (Annecdotist) Avatar
    Anne Goodwin (Annecdotist)

    Interesting angle, Norah. I think I’ve written elsewhere that people often automatically link the word famous to author, even when most of us aren’t. But I’m equally guilty: I remember once meeting an actor and thinking she couldn’t be any good because I hadn’t heard of her, when she was actually just doing her job. I’m thinking of the Joni Mitchell song For Free

    Please can I have more readers but skip the fame, and I don’t give a monkey’s for after I’m dead.

    And your flash says it all!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Norah Avatar
      Norah

      Thanks for linking to the Joni Mitchell song, Anne. I don’t think I’d heard it before. It reminds me of the story of the ‘famous’ violinist (I think) who played on a street corner or shopping mall somewhere and no one took any notice. That night when he played in the concert hall, people paid hundreds of dollars for a ticket. I think sometimes the fame is more important than the talent. You’ve got the talent. Maybe you need a bit more fame to get the readers too. I think I feel the same.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Anne Goodwin (Annecdotist) Avatar
        Anne Goodwin (Annecdotist)

        I hadn’t heard that story, but it fits. Thanks for your faith in me — as I have in you — but so many voices, hard to be heard in all the noise.

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
        1. Norah Avatar
          Norah

          It is. And we introverts don’t like to shout too much. 🙂

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply
  15. calmkate Avatar
    calmkate

    cute story … you can keep the fame and fortune! I’m glad to have enough to pay the bills and although my poetry and pics are passable they are not gifted.
    Many WP people are gifted, including Robbie above, they are already famous in their own right!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Norah Avatar
      Norah

      I don’t want the fame or fortune either, Kate. To feel valued and respected in my own circle is good enough for me.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. calmkate Avatar
        calmkate

        that would be appreciated but seems doubtful …

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
        1. Norah Avatar
          Norah

          I don’t think there is any doubt.

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply
  16. robertawrites235681907 Avatar
    robertawrites235681907

    A lovely piece, Norah. I would be happy to be famous at any time, during this life or afterwards. I think a lot of writers, artists and poets only become really famous after their deaths.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Norah Avatar
      Norah

      How famous, Robbie? Have you reached your goal yet? According to the articles I read, there are fewer who are famous after death than in life. It’s one of those myths. Interesting though.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. robertawrites235681907 Avatar
        robertawrites235681907

        I suppose, Norah, that famous is in the eyes of the beholder. To me fame would be to write a book that has lasting content that is appreciated for years to come like Jane Eyre or Dracula. I may never achieve this, but it is something to work towards [smile].

        Liked by 2 people

        Reply
        1. Norah Avatar
          Norah

          I wish you the success your desire, Robbie. 🙂

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply
  17. thecontentedcrafter Avatar
    thecontentedcrafter

    Fame is a ‘thing’ isn’t it Norah – some people want it just like they want a certain car. Very often they seem to think they don’t have to do anything to have it either – a bit like today’s celebrity hoo-ha. Doing something worthwhile with our lives is far more important and leaving those who knew us remembering us with love and respect is all the fame I’d like to aspire to. I rather like your reclusive artist and would hope they would just leave her art alone and let it be there until it too turns to dust – but alas I think that is not the world we live in. I hope I’m not sounding too curmudgeonly today 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Anne Goodwin (Annecdotist) Avatar
      Anne Goodwin (Annecdotist)

      I agree, Pauline, too many people famous for being famous, or aspiring to that position.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Norah Avatar
        Norah

        Hollow fame. 15 minutes, I think they call it. Gone in a flash.

        Liked by 2 people

        Reply
        1. D. Avery @shiftnshake Avatar
          D. Avery @shiftnshake

          Ah, Norah, your fame gained in a flash! This one of yours has certainly garnered great discussion. I think with fame, for many, it’s like winning the lottery, maybe in more ways than one, but certainly as a caution- be careful what you wish for, it can ruin you. I’m thinking most writers would like to have readers though. I suppose most everyone wants some validation for the work they do. But to be sustainable the motivation and rewards have to be intrinsic.

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply
          1. Norah Avatar
            Norah

            Hmm. I think validation is the word, D. Validation more than fame, especially fleeting fame. Validation for writers comes through the appreciation of readers. We don’t need fame in a global sense, but to have our work recognised and appreciated is something we strive for (most of us?)

            Liked by 1 person

            Reply
            1. D. Avery @shiftnshake Avatar
              D. Avery @shiftnshake

              Yeah. And speaking of pronouns I think they can give a story a universality, make it an everyone’s story as this one is. So well played.

              Liked by 1 person

              Reply
              1. Norah Avatar
                Norah

                Thank you. I like the idea of universality too. 🙂

                Like

                Reply
    2. Norah Avatar
      Norah

      Never curmudgeonly, Pauline, and even if you were, you’d still be welcome. I agree with your statement “Doing something worthwhile with our lives is far more important and leaving those who knew us remembering us with love and respect is all the fame I’d like to aspire to.” That’s good enough for me too.

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
      1. thecontentedcrafter Avatar
        thecontentedcrafter

        Thank you Norah 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
  18. Charli Mills Avatar
    Charli Mills

    Such an interesting question you pose, Norah. I think we have to be satisfied with creating art, not knowing if it will stand the test of time to become classic. Marketing in an oversaturated marketplace, ah, that’s enough to send any shy artist to hide out where we find your character lived and died, but was found and remembered.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Norah Avatar
      Norah

      I agree, Charli. I think we have to do what we love doing now. If it’s fame we want, I’m sure there’d be easier ways of getting it. Making even a ripple in an over-saturated market is difficult enough.

      Like

      Reply
  19. petespringerauthor Avatar
    petespringerauthor

    You pose an interesting question, Norah. For me, I don’t care about being famous alive or dead. What matters to me is what my loved ones and friends think about me. It is a crazy notion to think that someone died before receiving accolades.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Norah Avatar
      Norah

      I’m with you on that, Pete. I think in a previous discussion, I may have mentioned a much younger (childhood) thought of posthumous fame. It’s too late for that now. I haven’t even started on the body of work. 😁😂 I would like my children and grandchildren to remember me fondly but, if they do or not, I guess I’ll never know.

      Like

      Reply
  20. Erica/Erika Avatar
    Erica/Erika

    An interesting premise, Norah. It is a good reminder to really think about where we put our attention. Even the concept of the word “fame.” Your story is sad, especially since it is likely an example true to life. An eccentric recluse often is very intelligent and creative. Thinking about someone I knew:)

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Norah Avatar
      Norah

      I think there have been a few of them – some by choice, others for different reasons. It must be lonely.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

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