What can a $200 million author teach you about: consistency, marketing and overcoming addiction
5 things Stephen King taught me
Stephen King is an american horror and suspense novelist. He has written 64 books and sold over 400 million copies of his books all over the world.
He struggled to feed his family and life was very difficult for him as a growing unknown author. Paying his bills and feeding his family was a nightmare, if you’re a parent you’ll understand this.
‘Carrie’ his book that was published in 1974 was what changed his life and fortune forever.
In this article you will learn his
process, self image and work ethic the three character i believe that helped him stay relevant and successful.
These principles will work for any trade you belong to they’re not exclusive to writers.
On his influences: He said his mother once told him “ Milk in the refrigerator takes the flavor of whatever is next to it” He learned from the greats like Sherlock Holmes, Ernest Hemingway, John Steinbeck and so on.
He was once said “ I learned from what i read and i imitated what i liked and little by little i found my voice” It is in the cocktail of your experiences and learnings that you’ll find your own style, for we all go further by standing on the work of those who have walked the path before us.
When you start on your path you’ll first sound like the people you’re consuming. keep going you’ll find your own voice.
On Branding: Stephen King wrote a novel called ‘Thinner’ that was published in 1984 with the fictitious name ‘Richard Bachman’ Because he didn’t want to oversaturate the market with his books and attract a new set of readers. Makes sense because Tecno phone, Infinix phone and Itel Phones are all owned by a Chinese company called Transsion holdings.
Any way, the book sold 25,000 copies, but then when people started reading the book his readers, audience and fans went like “ Hold on a minute this sounds and feels like Stephen king” Hahahaha eventually they found out.
The book ‘Thinner’ was republished with his name Stephen King and the book went on to sell 400,000 copies! The power of a personal brand. Tells you a lot about human psychology and what truly makes people buy.
On how he labels himself: In my research he said twice on different occasions that “ I am a cottage industry” According to google
“A cottage industry is a small manufacturing business that is owned and operated by an individual or a family, typically operating out of a home rather than a purpose-built facility.”
So he sees himself as a producer not just a consumer. Little wonder why he has written 63 novels and some of them have turned into movies. His first book ‘Carrie’ was published in 1974 and in 1976 it was turned into a movie which grossed over $30 million in the box office
On hardwork: "If you don’t want to work your ass off, you have no business trying to write well.
If you want to write well there are two things you must do, read a lot and write a lot .
I am a slow reader but i usually go through 70 to 80 books a year, mostly fiction ( Of the books he reads a year 6-12 are audio books)” Stephen King
His thinking speaks to mastering the fundamentals in your trade, if you accept the fact that to be great in your trade you must do the fundamentals everyday you’ll win.
You create your luck when you do the work everyday because the reality is that you have no idea the day or time your moment of success will come.
I think the second thing about putting in the work is that your skill level gets better with each work you’re cleaning off rust from your drill bits and sharpening your knife as it were.
On routine: Someone was asked Stephen King his writing process and he said he writes 8 pages a day for 4 hours daily. He his approaching the creative process like an office worker who has a boss.
It is very comforting to realize that he struggled with alcohol and drug addiction he overcame his self destruction primarily from the support of his wife.
I have a relative that is struggling with alcohol addiction he has moved in and out of rehab so i truly understand the stress it brings on a family first hand. Nobody is perfect life and a journey.
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