23 Million Books Sold. How To Have A Successful Long Term Writing Career With Kevin J Anderson

[@lukecpiper]

I've had the pleasure of meeting Kevin in person many times. He and his wife are both great people and have been an inspiration to me in building a writing career.

[@renab.7390]

This man is me to a T. Expressing exactly how I feel, being a storyteller with all those stories in my head that I wanna tell. Over the years I got comfortable with writing everything down, studied languages even, but it's true that these additional steps to document my stories impede my creativity and slow me down. I tried dictating while walking and find it much easier to let my creativity flow but having to transcribe it all myself is such a huge time sink, so I've gone back to taking notes while outside and expanding on them when writing. I often wish there was a way to hook up my brain to some device that then turns my imagined stories into video or writing.

[@Deankut]

He shows you how he free-associates ideas for chapters! Brilliant!

[@earthwisescott]

Joanna thank you so much for this! KJA - great advice. I’m going to check out story bundle. Thanks again!

[@Deankut]

I had the pleasure of meeting RL Stine up close & personal. He's an awesome guy!

[@LazyDogsRanch]

RL Stine didn't write What Color is Your Parachute. Dick Bolles did. Stine's wife did co-found Parachute Press, via which Stine's Fear Street and Goosebumps were published, but that doesn't have anything to do with Bolles' book.

[@char.dvayle3273]

Sold many books, but fucked up pretty bad there. Great pick up. Imagine how insulted poor Bolles' would be!

[@avalonerkitty5418]

The first book of his I think I read was the X Files book set in South America (somewhere). Then his SW books. His books have been with me half my life!

[@JohnVanderbeck]

My chosen Humble charity is also Challenger Foundation! Great to see support of space and space education!

[@CharlesWarrenOnline]

I voice record my chapters as well. Thought I was the only one! Nice.

[@whoisyouranime]

So the shorter version of this interview is "If your favorite books you wrote isn't working or making money, try another genre?" Yeah, I can do that.

[@anne-mareegray8762]

I've bought a couple of humble bundles; I especially liked the writing advice one. I just bought an amazon bundle with 12 full books for 99c to get one title that wasn't price reduced anywhere else. Maybe some of the others will be good, maybe not, I'm ahead either way. Thank you both for all the advice!

[@melodine707]

I would LOVE to look over his shoulder as he develops a story! Kevin, call me if you're up for that!

[@henbane2247]

I don't like the thought of all those hours I'm spending writing being a waste of time if I don't sell any. I'm going to publish and hopefully sell ay some point, but as long as I'm gaining something from writing emotionally and creatively then I don't think it's a waste of time

[@w.m.aslam-author]

Thank you for sharing your wisdom and experience.

[@Roxatizedstudio]

I love your videos! Ty JPenn 😉 this one gave a lot of info!

[@workhealthwealthfreedom1049]

Thank you for sharing and for asking such good questions. ;)

[@CheloMacabreArt]

I used to work for hastings. They bought Movie Stop and then closed all their stores XD Luckily i left to take on my career full time before they did

[@roystonstone]

Popcorn theory. I'm encouraged. Hate the idea of being pigeon-holed into one genre.

[@thecreativepenn]

Me too :)

[@Deankut]

I don't think I could ever dictate my novels..

[@pauls3585]

Kevin is awesome!

[@davidwinters25]

Kevin, You are a mammal! Yay!

[@taowen868]

interesting

[@maximusprime1318]

I am the opposite of this guy. I write more when I type and when I am in front of a computer. It is interesting his methods as it would probably work for someone ells.

[@AdiKanda]

Joanna I absolutely love your work and have learned so much from you, but when I heard the "popcorn" theory, I actually had to turn the podcast off and couldn't listen further. I realize this is about creating a business and I'm sure Kevin's work is great, but for me this is a recipe for overwhelm and disaster. I write with a very specific calling, and the idea that we have to produce multiple offerings like flavours of ice cream or toys from a Chinese factory is not only depressing but a recipe for mediocrity. We are not all here to write in a dozen flavours, not if we want to to be authentic and create from our hearts, our experience and our passion. Personally I am looking for support in aligning more deeply with what I know is mine to offer, rather than be told I have to churn out calculated material for a thousand markets. As a creative generation we are are already awash in a shallow sea. There will be no popcorn for me.

[@thecreativepenn]

Everyone has their own way of creating. I interview people who choose different paths. I have always advocated multiple streams of income so I am more like Kevin. You have your own journey, for sure!