The author, who lives in Douglas, said he has managed to be one of the 5 percent of authors who are able to live off their writing, versus having a day job and writing books on the side.
“I have to work hard and I have to work all the time,” he said, joking the commutes not bad, though, it’s just down three steps and across the house to his computer.
 Noted author Jeff Mariotte, whose work includes novelizations of the “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” television series, addresses students at Buena High School on being an writer. (Beatrice Richardson-Herald/Review) |
Mariotte spoke with students at Buena High School on Friday afternoon, encouraging them to follow their dreams, so long as they have some sort of skill that can be built on and improved for that career.
“Before I wanted to be a writer, I wanted to be a rock star,” Mariotte said, explaining his point. “I had no musical talent at all.”
Though he pointed out that, just because he couldn’t be a rock star, had he wanted to, he could have still found a way to get involved in the music industry in other ways, such as an engineer or roadie.
“Even without any musical talent, if I had really wanted to work in that industry I could have,” he said.
But writing took over as Mariotte’s dream job.
Mariotte is the author of 32 novels, which includes original works as well as novelizations of movies and series such as “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “CSI: Miami.” His original works include the book “Missing White Girl,” which takes place in Cochise County.
“It took me literally decades to live the dream that I wanted,” Mariotte said, as he told the students that it takes four things to achieve their dreams: desire, determination, discipline and drive.
“I’m standing here as proof that anyone can live their dream if they have one,” the writer said. “There are opportunities out there for whatever it is you set your sights on.”
Mary Kohn, Buena’s librarian, said it’s bringing in people such as Mariotte that helps to inspire students.
“The message he had for the kids is just one that we wanted to keep getting across to them,” Kohn said.
She said she hopes the more students hear this message that they can achieve what they want if they work hard, the more of them will believe it.
“It’s going to get somebody there living their dreams,” she said. “People like this change people’s lives.”
Herald/Review reporter Katie Evans can be reached at 515-4611 or by e-mail at katie.evans@svherald.com.
