Trusting someone was like holding a little water in your cupped hands - it was so easy to spill the water, and you could never get it back.
Ken FollettRead
Listen, I wrote 10 unsuccessful books before I broke through, so I'm looking all the time to keep my books fascinating. I want to write what people want to read, not push any message.
Interpretation
Success often follows perseverance and understanding audience needs.
In this quote, Ken Follett highlights the challenges he faced in his writing journey, emphasizing that persistent effort is crucial for achieving success. By focusing on what readers find engaging rather than imposing his messages, he underscores the importance of adaptability and audience connection in creative pursuits.
In practice
During a motivational speech about overcoming hurdles in a career.
Trusting someone was like holding a little water in your cupped hands - it was so easy to spill the water, and you could never get it back.
You see, all that I ever held dear has been taken from me," she said in a matter-of-fact tone. "And when you've lost everything-" Her facade began to crumble, and her voice broke, but she made herself carry on. "When you've lost everything, you've got nothing to lose.
Without books I would not have become a vivacious reader, and if you are not a reader you are not a writer.
I want to tell a story that makes the reader always want to see what will happen next.
When I'm writing a woman character, I don't think, 'What would a woman do?' I just think, 'What would this character do in this situation?'
Well, for people who want to write best sellers, the best advice I can give is to say that the novel has to engage the reader emotionally.
The triumph of anything is a matter of organization.
Not even a collapsing world looks dark to a man who is about to make his fortune.
I was 40 years old before I became an overnight success, and I'd been publishing for 20 years.
Talent sets the floor, character sets the ceiling
The bold enterprises are the successful ones. Take counsel of hopes rather than of fears to win in this business.
Successful people reject rejection.
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