Amanda Hockinga day that will live in infamy
Guys, Blade Runner is a really good movie.
But that’s not what I’m here to talk about. Stephen King sold Carrie when he was 26-years-old. Because of this random fact, 26 has been the bar that I measured success by. I had to be a real writer by the time I was 26 or it meant I would never be a real writer. That’s what I said inside my head.
I’m 26 now. As of today, July 28, 2010, I’ve sold over 10,000 books.
No, my writing career has not been how I pictured it when I was a kid. But in some ways, it’s a lot better.
I’m not saying I’m better than Stephen King. He’s clearly a better writer and has more success than I can ever hope to achieve. I’m never actually going to compete with him, not in any real way. But this was never about being better than him.
But I did reach my goal. I am still reaching it. And that’s pretty amazing.
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agyw says: weird parallels (from flamingoes to movies to male heart throbs) Sheesh and now the King. He hies from my neck of the woods and I too have weird connections with him. My English teacher in college was Jim Bishop, the one who introduced him to his wife. At the time, King wasn’t considered a great writer, but as a kid I LOVED, him, so to be regaled by stories about him before he hit it big (when he sold The Shining he gave Jim his Old Cadillac). I had a moment when I was wondering why I was doing this (writing/illustrating) thing to my family how selfish! I packed the kids up in the car, it had been a sweltering day and drove to Bridgton Drive-in, with all these turmoiled thoughts and begging the Universe for a sign about why I should or shouldn’t continue. (Went to see Matrix3 and Terminator3, and this year went to see Inception and New Moon/Eclipse double header, so we have it good here in Maine!)Anyhow, I kid you not, I pulled into the double line at the drive-in and looked over. There was the cutest little blue Mercedes convertible and a handsome young man driving with an older fella sitting next to him. It was Owen King. Actually talked to Stephen at the concessionairre stand (they have the best drive-in hotdogs and french fries, don’t tell Prides Corner drive-in). I wanted to suggest said writer/illustrator for a singing position in the Rock Bottom Remainders, but instead just opted for a “hey”. I’m so happy to hear you had such a momentous birthday allbeit belatedly. It’s not often we are handed our life’s wishes.
Congratulations! We indie writers are going to start measuring success by using you as the standard model now lol
Hey…remember how I NEVER read entire books? I just read all the books you’ve released for Kindle! So, good job!
Yes! You are the best – I’d read your books over Stephen King’s any day! Stick to it because dreams can come true! And I wish only the best for you! 😀
Yes, you did it–and ARE doing! Congratulations, Amanda. This is a great era to be a writer.
Scott Nicholson
http://www.hauntedcomputer.com