It's a long way to the top (If you wanna Rock N Roll).

After years of honing your craft, playing for free in seedy dive bars to non existent or oblivious crowds, handing out demos to anyone who will take them, just to get your name out there, you've finally done it. Center stage, in front of tens of thousands of screaming, adoring fans, hanging on your every word.
The Big Time.


Play Freeeeeebiiiirrrd!!!

Of course, it would seem as though I'm talking about being a Rock Star, right? On the other hand, if you change those words around a little bit, I could also be talking about Authors...

Believe it or not, the Internet didn't always exist. Back in the day, if you wanted to hear your favorite band, your options were: Radio, buying a record, or being lucky enough to see them live in your town (Or travel a LONG way to see them.) This would mean that the band would be contracted, if they weren't, they were resigned to playing seedy dive bars, and more times than not, they would absolutely suck.
Now again, if you change a few words around, I could be talking about Authors. Back in 'Ancient Pre-Internet Days', if you wanted to read a book, more than likely it was by a 'Traditionally Published Author'. Self publishing was a rare thing, and not fondly looked upon by the average reader.
Fast forward to the future, and the Internet! The doors have been knocked down and the floodgates opened wide!
Previously unreachable music and books are readily available to pretty much everyone!

Except maybe this guy.

But there's still the issue of getting people to listen to your latest song, or reading your latest book. Without the promotional powers of a major studio or publishing house, Writer and Rocker alike still have to trudge in our respective trenches until we get 'noticed', but in another similarity, some actually are fine with this, they do it just for the love of their art.
But many of us/ them want it all, the fame, the fortune, and everything that goes with it. We want to be a household name like Stephen King/ The Beatles, and they had to work their asses off to get their current 'legendary' status, just like 'we' will have to until we get that Golden Ticket.

You want MORE similarities? Alright, I got ya covered.

Some Authors do it all by themselves, the writing, the editing, covers, formatting, the whole enchilada.
Rock Star equivalent: Trent Reznor (Nine Inch Nails)

Anne Rice was a major innovator in her genre and some would even say 'royalty', then for certain reasons, dropped out of the 'game', promising never to return. Lo and behold when the genre she revolutionized needed her the most, she returned most triumphantly to reclaim her throne, so to speak.
Rock Star equivalent: Black Sabbath.

Now I'm going to drop a few lesser known names (But check them out, seriously.)

Richard B. Knight is an Indie Author, superbly unique, a little on the 'different side', not widely known in certain circles, but has a bit of a cult following, if you will.
Rock Star equivalent: Frank Zappa.

Michael Ness is a jack of all trades, dabbling in various milieus, and damn good at all of them. Highly intelligent, and surprisingly photogenic.

Hello Ladies. Version 2.0

Rock Star equivalent: Henry Rollins.

I could do this all day, but I'll do just one more before moving on.

There's another Author that seemingly takes forever to release new work, has a bit of an attitude problem, notorious for being a bit of a 'bad boy', probably loved and despised in equal amounts for whatever reason. I'm not going to name any names, but whoever guesses correctly, gets a cookie!
Rock Star equivalent: W. Axl Rose.

So, whether you're reaching for the stars or content to keep it low key, if you're an Author, you're just a few degrees off from being a Rock Star, you most likely even have 'Groupies'.

In closing, the only thing that separates 'Us' from 'Them' is that we most likely carry a tune as well as a Harbour Seal with a head cold, and probably can't shred on the guitar to save our lives. (Not saying it's completely out of the question, but it's a rarity.) We also probably wouldn't look too good in a music video, unless of course...

Anyone else wanna see Ness do a shot for shot cover/ video of Robert Palmer's 'Addicted To Love'?

Keep on Rawkin' and Writin', kiddoes!