Careerwise I would love to be successful in IT, but I feel as if that ship has sailed. As far as a true passion, I'd love to be famous for writing the next lengendary medieval fantasy series like Lord of The Rings. Although, nothing can beat Tolkien.
No, Tolkien was without equal -- in my opinion. But there's no reaon why you shouldn't excel in your own field. Look at the success of McCaffrey and Rowling. They lack Tolkien's grandeur but are extraordinarily successful in their chosen worlds.
Anne McCaffrey wrote many fantasy or sci-fi series, each set in a different world. She must have written about 15 books about the dragons of Pern, half a dozen about the Catteni, three about a crystal singer, and lots more I haven't read. I'm reading some of her Pern stories at present.
Well fame would be kinda irritating, I think I will just take the fortune, please...and I really don't want to have to sing for my supper here, just gimme the fortune I am comin' to Oodnadatta.
My Tall Tales column was very popular in the local press and my photograph appeared next to it everyu week. It was rare for me to go to Penrith (our nearest large town) without somebody stopping me to comment on it. It was fun but I can imagine how distressing it would be to be really famous and be hounded by strangers.
With paparazzi, tabloids and the media ... I feel sorry for celebrities that just wanted to do well, at their passion, and had to give a private life to do it. She was just the first that came to mind.