Hello from Singapore, a quick question…

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RustMagnet

Member
Aug 23, 2014
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Hi Stephen,

I have a question about your writings after you'd cashed your first big check of $200,000. Did you find it more difficult to write knowing that you'd reach a much larger audience from now on? If so do you have any skills you learned to keep your focus or maybe the pressure helped you? Thanks for your time,

Cheers,

Jon
 

FlakeNoir

Original Kiwi© SKMB®
Moderator
Apr 11, 2006
44,082
175,641
New Zealand
Welcome to the board :) That was an interesting question. I'm one of those shy people who can't tie my own shoelaces if I know I'm being observed or graded lol. I think SK's family helped him through his transformation from an unknown to the world's most popular modern-day author.
Yes and I think 'family' might have at some point in the beginning been motivation within itself--he needed to put food on the table.
 

RustMagnet

Member
Aug 23, 2014
7
32
35
Thank you everyone for the warm welcomes! It's true that food can be an immensely motivating factor, no doubt there ;)
I guess for the original question, I was more so curious what it was like for him to sell a successful book, and then have to follow it up with another.
I wonder if he felt the pressure to replicate his success of Carrie.
He talks about enriching other's and his own life in that quote, so maybe that drew his attention back to his purpose?
 

FlakeNoir

Original Kiwi© SKMB®
Moderator
Apr 11, 2006
44,082
175,641
New Zealand
Thank you everyone for the warm welcomes! It's true that food can be an immensely motivating factor, no doubt there ;)
I guess for the original question, I was more so curious what it was like for him to sell a successful book, and then have to follow it up with another.
I wonder if he felt the pressure to replicate his success of Carrie.
He talks about enriching other's and his own life in that quote, so maybe that drew his attention back to his purpose?
I bet he did feel that (personal) pressure to succeed on the same scale, especially as he had not thought too much of Carrie at first, had in fact thrown it in the bin to begin with. (Thank you, Tabby.)
 

50's Kid

Well-Known Member
Aug 12, 2014
291
1,110
Detroit
I read somewhere that a lot of famous people still get stage fright every time they get on stage, even after years of performing. I am only an amateur musician, but find that once we start playing, that quickly goes away.
I think having the story within you and wanting to burst out, through your fingers, probably overrides any fear of not measuring up to your last success. Then again, I've written a lot, but haven't sold anything, yet, so that's just a guess.
I think the best thing to do is just forget about the possibility of not repeating the magic and write the story. They can't all be gems, and something is always learned from failures, commercial or creative. In the morning, the sun will still come up. If it doesn't, then you've got bigger problems...:wow:
 

RustMagnet

Member
Aug 23, 2014
7
32
35
I read somewhere that a lot of famous people still get stage fright every time they get on stage, even after years of performing. I am only an amateur musician, but find that once we start playing, that quickly goes away.
I think having the story within you and wanting to burst out, through your fingers, probably overrides any fear of not measuring up to your last success. Then again, I've written a lot, but haven't sold anything, yet, so that's just a guess.
I think the best thing to do is just forget about the possibility of not repeating the magic and write the story. They can't all be gems, and something is always learned from failures, commercial or creative. In the morning, the sun will still come up. If it doesn't, then you've got bigger problems...:wow:

This is a good look into perspective, if the sun doesn't come up, then we really have a problem haha! I think you're right you just have to start playing or keep writing and let the magic flow.
 
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