A Writer's Almanac for the all the writers on my flist- here and on LJ.

[lillbet]

It's the birthday of R.L. Stine, (books by this author) born Robert Lawrence Stine in Columbus, Ohio (1943). He loved horror stories as a kid, and when he discovered that the local barbershop carried copies of two horror comic strips, he started getting a haircut every Saturday. He wrote lots of jokes and stories, kept writing through college, then moved to New York City to work as a writer. The first job he found was with a fan magazine, and he said that it was good training because it taught him to write fast and make stuff up.

He edited a humor magazine for a few years, but when it folded, he decided to try horror, and his series for teenagers, Fear Street, became a huge success. So he wrote a series for younger kids, Goosebumps, and his sales went through the roof. When someone asked him how he first knew that Goosebumps was going to be a big success, he said: "I was in my hometown of Columbus, Ohio, driving to a bookstore for a book signing. I remember I was stuck in a huge traffic jam and I was really worried I would be late and was growing more and more annoyed at all the traffic. When we finally approached the bookstore, I realized that the traffic jam was caused by all the people who were coming to see me."

For several years in a row in the 1990s, he was voted not just the best-selling children's author in the country, but the best-selling author. He has written more than 100 books and sold more than 400 million copies. He said: "I'm really a writing machine. I have no rituals. I don't need a special desk or special background music. As long as I have a keyboard in front of me, I can write."

You're reading this and you're thinking to yourself- "BUT LILL, THIS GUY IS A HACK. HE'S A TOOL. HE'S SOLD OUT TO THE TEH MAN AND WRITES UTTER BOILER PLATE CRAP! WHY ARE YOU WAVING THIS IN MY FACE? THIS IS NOT ART, BUT FAIL!!!"

Not so, my friends. This guy? Here? Started out writing in fan mags. And his only "thing" is that he writes. He writes relentlessly and often and he knows his audience and as a result he sells books. I read a few back in the '90s (when I'd finished reading "The Vampire Diaries" I turned to one of the many R.L.Stine books on my sister's shelves, because I was home for a weekend and bored) and THEY ARE RIDICULOUS. ANY ONE OF US COULD TO BETTER!

Our challenge is clear! :D

Comments

[tiny-increments.livejournal.com]

Did you just dare me to do better? Oh it's ON, Captain Pike.

Switched by R.L. Stine was one of my favorite books when I was little ... it was my introduction into the seedy, sexual place that was high school.

[bethyb]

Awesome info! I was addicted to his Fear Street"BUT LILL, THIS GUY IS A HACK. HE'S A TOOL. HE'S SOLD OUT TO THE TEH MAN AND WRITES UTTER BOILER PLATE CRAP! WHY ARE YOU WAVING THIS IN MY FACE? THIS IS NOT ART, BUT FAIL!!!"
B'zuh? I don't know anything about this.... :/

[bethyb]

Um..yeah so I can't edit and somehow half my comment was erased. Annnnnyways.....now I am feeling all nostaligic thinking about those books. I used to have to hide them in my bed so my mom wouldn't see them, lol.

[roh_wyn]

THEY ARE RIDICULOUS. ANY ONE OF US COULD TO BETTER!

CHALLENGE! You throw down the gauntlet with style, bb! ;)

[susanbones]

He found a way to get published and make lots of money. That equals success around here.

I thought you were giving up on Dreamwidth.