The prolific and successful Mr. King spoke at Harbourfront last Friday night. Here's what I took away.
- No one should tell you what to read or not to read. Margaret Attwood of all people stated this. When she took the podium, you could feel a collective post-traumatic groan from the audience...It seems we were all scarred from some high school English class where one of her early works was required reading...But unexpectedly she was very entertaining. And quite clearly stated that if it had not been for Stephen King novels, her sons would never have learned to read a novel. We were momentarily stunned as a CANlit favoured author gave such praise for popular fiction.
- No one should tell you what to write. Just write from inside. I've heard this so many times over the years but it's funny but I never really HEARD it until Friday night.
- Pass it on. Clive Barker gave an emotional speech on how a Stephen King's review of Barker's first book gave him a sales boost that made him a success. King didn't have to do it but it turned a floundering author into one with an immediate following.
- Guys get more breaks. King told of his battle with booze. How he ignored his family, wrote all day and night, played with fame etc but at the end of the day his family forgave him and now sober and successful he promises never to do it again. How many times have you heard similar stories of successful men that get away with this? Does any one know of any women? Women who have said goodbye to their families, worked on their careers boosted by booze and drugs until they almost kill themselves. Then when they choose sobriety they are welcome back into the fold to begin again. I can't think of one.
- If you are going to recommend one of your books as "my favourite" always chose the one out in Hard Cover. LOL.
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