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How Today’s Students Can Become Great Writers by Using Thomas Jefferson’s Methods
During my high school years, a number of my friends were homeschooled kids who belonged to a particular accrediting organization. This organization required each student to write an annual research paper, the length of which corresponded to their grade (i.e. a 10th grade student was required to turn in 10 pages).
Over the years, I heard many groans about these infamous papers, which made me quite…
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How Today’s Students Can Become Great Writers by Using Thomas Jefferson’s Methods
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How Today’s Students Can Become Great Writers by Using Thomas Jefferson’s Methods
During my high school years, a number of my friends were homeschooled kids who belonged to a particular accrediting organization. This organization required each student to write an annual research paper, the length of which corresponded to their grade (i.e. a 10th grade student was required to turn in 10 pages).
Over the years, I heard many groans about these infamous papers, which made me quite glad that my school did not have the same expectations. In retrospect, of course, I see that my friends who did the torturous assignment likely had a jump on me in terms of writing experience.
As it turns out, those friends appear to have had the jump on not only me, but much of the American high school population. According to Jay Matthews in The Washington Post, “almost no U.S. high school students are required to do long research papers.” Other writing is also minimal, largely consisting of only a few paragraphs here and there. With numbers like those, it’s no wonder that only one in four seniors leave high school as proficient writers.
But Matthews has a theory on how to change this problem. He suggests:
“‘Require students to take at least one semester of reading and writing instead of their regular English class. A paper is due each Monday. In class, students read whatever they like or work on next week’s essay while the teacher calls them up in turn and edits their papers as they watch.’
Each student would get about 10 minutes of live editing a week, much more than the zero minutes usually allotted. A few teachers told me they were doing something like that, but I realize it is too radical a reform for most places.”
In brief, Matthews is encouraging a focus on the basics. Read good books. Devote lots of time to writing. Be mentored by people who know their stuff.
Indeed, this advice is similar to that given by Thomas Jefferson for the education of his grandson, Francis, in 1821. According to Jefferson, literature and rhetoric – the art of persuasion through writing or speaking – were two subjects in which Francis could educate himself. Jefferson noted, however, that good writing is particularly advanced when guided by “the judicious criticisms of a qualified judge of style and composition.”
Jefferson himself seems to have had the benefit of this type of mentor while in his late teens. As he notes in his autobiography, he became a close friend of Dr. William Small of Scotland during his time at the College of William and Mary. Although Dr. Small was a mathematics professor, he appears to have been well-rounded in various disciplines. Two of these areas were literature and rhetoric. Apparently, Dr. Small was such an expert in these areas that he was the first to give regular lectures on both at William and Mary.
So, did Dr. Small’s expertise in these subjects rub off on Jefferson?
It seems likely that it did, for it was these very areas which catapulted him to a position as drafter of the Declaration of Independence. Recounting the occasion, John Adams wrote:
“Mr Jefferson came into Congress in June 1775. and brought with him a reputation for literature, science, and a happy talent at composition. Writings of his were handed about remarkable for the peculiar felicity of expression.”
When Jefferson protested being made the head of the Declaration committee, Adams gave him three reasons he should take the lead. The third? “You can write ten times better than I can.”
One has to wonder if Jefferson would have landed such an important job if he had not spent extensive time reading and been under the mentorship of someone skilled in literature and rhetoric.
Would today’s students soar to greater heights if schools took the advice of Jay Matthews, devoted more time to reading and writing, and were mentored by teachers who did the same? Would such a practice not only turn out better writers and communicators, but better thinkers?
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Charlie Brown’s Christmas Message to America
Simple, timeless, and unpretentious, “A Charlie Brown Christmas Special” became a holiday tradition since its first airing on Dec. 9, 1965. Its beginnings were simple: a television producer approached cartoonist Charles Schulz with a general idea for an animated special featuring the Peanuts gang. Soon, the idea for a Christmas special, written by Schulz himself, became a mission for the man.…
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Charlie Brown’s Christmas Message to America
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Charlie Brown’s Christmas Message to America
Simple, timeless, and unpretentious, “A Charlie Brown Christmas Special” became a holiday tradition since its first airing on Dec. 9, 1965. Its beginnings were simple: a television producer approached cartoonist Charles Schulz with a general idea for an animated special featuring the Peanuts gang. Soon, the idea for a Christmas special, written by Schulz himself, became a mission for the man. Having seen the commercialization of the Christmas holidays, Schulz decided to focus his project on the true meaning of Christmas: Christ. When asked why, he responded, “If we don’t do it, who will?”
What was it that drove him to relentlessly invest his time and talents in this project? Perhaps he was compelled by the events he saw unfolding on the national stage.
In 1951, the New York State Board of Regents approved a nondenominational prayer that was to be recited at the beginning of each school day. It read, “Almighty God, we acknowledge our dependence upon Thee, and we beg Thy blessings upon us, our parents, our teachers and our Country.” The purpose of this 22-word prayer, according to the Regents, was partially to encourage the development of good, law-abiding citizens. Participation in the prayer was voluntary.
After almost a decade later, some parents said the prayer violated the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment by establishing a state-imposed religion. However, the New York State Supreme Court upheld the legality of the prayer. This ruling was appealed, and the appellate court said, “The state is not imposing a religious belief by using this prayer.” This ruling was also appealed, and the New York Court of Appeals agreed with the other two courts, stating, “There was a sufficient separation of church and state so that the First Amendment was not infringed.”
The case then was appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, and in 1962, the Engel v. Vitale decision held that the lower three courts had been wrong: The prayer did indeed violate the Establishment Clause. The majority did not cite a single Supreme Court case in its opinion (except in a footnote) and overturned more than 200 years of public-school practice.
The dissent argued that the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment was designed to prohibit the establishment of a state-sponsored church, not to prohibit government involvement with religion. It said that the majority decision denied schoolchildren “the opportunity of sharing in the spiritual heritage of our Nation” and noted numerous instances of religion in the public square, such as “In God We Trust” on money or “God Save This Honorable Court” at the opening of Supreme Court sessions.
Engel v. Vitale was the beginning of a series of like-minded decisions. The next year, in Abingdon v. Schempp, the same court ruled that Bible readings and recitations of the Lord’s Prayer likewise violated the Establishment Clause.
It was in this precedent-upsetting milieu that Charles Schultz wrote the script for “A Charlie Brown Christmas.”
Linus, in the climax of the show, recites Luke 2:8-14. When he comes to the phrase “Fear not,” he drops his blanket. What a poignant symbol of reliance on God! Casting away his dependence, he shows that his true security is in faith, not in things.
In these secular times, “A Charlie Brown Christmas” might be the only way some children will learn the true meaning of Christmas:
“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, ‘Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.’”
Linus concludes his recitation by saying, “That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.”
It sometimes takes time for cultural changes wrought by the Supreme Court to trickle down to actual practice. For example, a look at the beliefs of public-school administrators over time demonstrates how these Supreme Court rulings impacted the goals of public schools. The National Association of Secondary Schools Principals (NASSP), which polled middle and high school administrators in 1966, found that the development of “moral and spiritual values” was the second most important task of public schools, ranking only after the acquisition of basic skills (reading, writing, math). By 1992, it was at the bottom of the list.
Thus, in our recent past, school officials recognized the importance of instilling common values and a common heritage. So, apparently, did the entertainment industry. In 1966, “A Charlie Brown Christmas” received the Emmy for Outstanding Children’s Program.
Most Americans do not realize that Linus’ recitation of the nativity narrative takes place on a public-school stage and likewise do not recall a time when prayer, Christmas pageants, and Bible readings were allowed in public schools. It’s time we remind them.
“If we don’t do it, who will?”
—
A version of this article was published at Intellectual Takeout in December 2020.
Image credit: Flickr-22860, CC BY-SA 2.0
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CONTROL THE LIFE-SHAPING POWER OF YOUR THOUGHTS AND ATTITUDES
THE SCIENTIFIC ARGUMENT FOR OPTIMISM
There’s a hot field of research in the behavioral sciences. It’s called positive psychology, and it’s proving that attitude profoundly affects performance. Study after study spells out the benefits: Optimists get paid more, are healthier, win more elections, live longer, plus are better at dealing with uncertainty and change.
A lot of people have pretty much…
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CONTROL THE LIFE-SHAPING POWER OF YOUR THOUGHTS AND ATTITUDES
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CONTROL THE LIFE-SHAPING POWER OF YOUR THOUGHTS AND ATTITUDES
THE SCIENTIFIC ARGUMENT FOR OPTIMISM
There’s a hot field of research in the behavioral sciences. It’s called positive psychology, and it’s proving that attitude profoundly affects performance. Study after study spells out the benefits: Optimists get paid more, are healthier, win more elections, live longer, plus are better at dealing with uncertainty and change.
A lot of people have pretty much felt this at a gut level. What’s new is the confirming evidence from sophisticated research. It highlights the power of our thinking patterns, and shows the broad influence optimism has on personal effectiveness, happiness, and overall health.
Now we’ve got hard data. Science proves that optimism is a huge asset—for you as a person, or as a cultural trait that cuts across the whole organization.
OPTIMISM VS. PESSIMISM: THE PAYOFF
Why is optimism so valuable?
An attitude of positive expectancy energizes us and calls out our potential. It heightens our awareness of opportunity. Optimism points a powerful beam of light into the darker corners of our lives, revealing possibilities that are hiding in the shadows. The positive-minded person interprets events from the angle of hope, finding benefits and creative solutions the pessimist overlooks.
Compare that to the price tag that pessimism carries.
A negative frame of mind saps your energy, as well as the energy of people around you. It weakens your confidence. It hurts your creativity and problem-solving skills. You end up focusing on obstacles, and that interferes with your ability to spot opportunities. Finally, pessimism drains the joy out of life, leaving you emotionally spent and less effective in dealing with others.
BUILDING PSYCHOLOGICAL MUSCLE
The good news? Optimism can be learned. Practiced. We can develop it, much like any other skill.
First, let’s make a clear distinction between “hard optimism” and the old-time “power of positive thinking.” Research shows that the real muscle in hard optimism doesn’t come from merely repeating positive statements to ourselves. Instead, it comes when we change how we deal with our negative thoughts and feelings.
Let’s put it a different way: Positive thinking is important, but non-negative thinking is the essence of hard optimism. The secret is to manage the way we explain situations to ourselves—especially when we experience failure, difficulties, uncertainty, or loss, but also as we encounter opportunity and success.
Psychologists have discovered that optimism and pessimism are not two poles on a single scale. They’re two quite separate dimensions. And the best results seem to come when we consciously reshape our mental activity that’s pessimistic.
Hard optimism represents a disciplined, deliberate way of thinking about whatever life throws at us. It’s about focusing on blessings rather than bad things . . . emphasizing opportunities instead of obstacles . . . explaining events to ourselves in a way that enhances performance and improves our quality of life.
YOU’RE THE BOSS OF YOUR ATTITUDE
Nobody can do our thinking for us.
Optimism or pessimism—ultimately, it’s your choice. You get to decide how you want to frame events. You choose how you’ll interpret circumstances. Each of us is the engineer of our emotional life, the architect of our own happiness.
There’s a lot riding on this issue of attitude . . . design optimistically.
“What an interesting life I had. And how I wish I had realized it sooner.”
–Collette
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The Story of the Shoe Snob: a talk with Justin Fitzpatrick
This is the first part of a 3 parts series recorded with the Shoe Snob. This episode is focusing on Justin’s inspiring and fascinating entrepreneurial journey: from a kid born in Seattle who loved shoes to a successful entrepreneur who left everything behind to fly to Italy to learn the art of shoemaking with shoemaker extraordinaire Stefano Bemer and then moved to Savile Row in London to become…
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The Story of the Shoe Snob: a talk with Justin Fitzpatrick
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The Story of the Shoe Snob: a talk with Justin Fitzpatrick
This is the first part of a 3 parts series recorded with the Shoe Snob. This episode is focusing on Justin’s inspiring and fascinating entrepreneurial journey: from a kid born in Seattle who loved shoes to a successful entrepreneur who left everything behind to fly to Italy to learn the art of shoemaking with shoemaker extraordinaire Stefano Bemer and then moved to Savile Row in London to become the patina artist at Gieves and Hawkes. An inspiring talk with a bona fide shoe snob . . .
And the author of an upcoming book from Kallisti Publishing!
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Kallisti Publishing acquires publisher International Wealth Success
Wilkes-Barre, PA, November 21, 2023 – Kallisti Publishing Inc., a prominent publisher of personal development books, proudly announces its acquisition of International Wealth Success (IWS), the esteemed publishing house founded by legendary entrepreneur Tyler G. Hicks in 1966. The acquisition, finalized for an undisclosed sum, marks a pivotal moment in Kallisti Publishing’s dedication to…
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Kallisti Publishing acquires publisher International Wealth Success
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Kallisti Publishing acquires publisher International Wealth Success
Wilkes-Barre, PA, November 21, 2023 – Kallisti Publishing Inc., a prominent publisher of personal development books, proudly announces its acquisition of International Wealth Success (IWS), the esteemed publishing house founded by legendary entrepreneur Tyler G. Hicks in 1966. The acquisition, finalized for an undisclosed sum, marks a pivotal moment in Kallisti Publishing’s dedication to expanding its footprint in the realm of business development literature.
The merging of Kallisti Publishing and IWS represents a union of shared values and a commitment to empowering readers on their business and entrepreneurial journeys. This strategic move amplifies Kallisti Publishing’s dedication to offering a diverse range of high-impact business and real estate development books and resources.
“We are thrilled to welcome International Wealth Success into the Kallisti Publishing family,” expressed Anthony Raymond, publisher at Kallisti Publishing Inc. “Tyler G. Hicks’ visionary approach to entrepreneurship and wealth creation aligns seamlessly with our mission to inspire and educate individuals seeking business growth and success.”
Tyler G. Hicks the founder of International Wealth Success (IWS)
Tyler G. Hicks, a luminary in the field of entrepreneurship and wealth creation, established IWS in 1966 as a beacon of guidance to help beginning and experienced wealth builders succeed in their own independent business and real estate projects. Hicks’ books have been featured in Business Week, the Washington Post, and the Los Angeles Times. Under the umbrella of Kallisti Publishing, Hicks’ legacy and expertise will continue to thrive, reaching a wider audience hungry for actionable insights and knowledge.
The acquisition underscores Kallisti Publishing’s pledge to preserve the legacy of Tyler G. Hicks and, as part of this integration, readers can anticipate an enriched catalog of impactful titles and resources, offering unparalleled guidance and inspiration.
For more information on Kallisti Publishing Inc. and its recent acquisition of International Wealth Society, visit www.KallistiPublishing.com or www.IWSMoney.com.
###
Kallisti Publishing Inc. is a leading publisher specializing in personal development literature. Committed to offering transformative content, Kallisti Publishing empowers readers with the knowledge and inspiration needed to achieve personal and professional success.
International Wealth Success publishes books, newsletters and self-study courses covering a wide range of business opportunities, including securing loans for business and real estate from private and commercial lenders, exporting and importing, business startup and growth techniques, and more . . .
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Dr. Emmet Fox : New Thought Pioneer
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Dr. Emmet Fox : New Thought Pioneer
Emmet Fox was born in Ireland on July 30, 1886, was educated in England, pursued his spiritual career mostly in the United States, and died in France on August 13, 1951.
His father, who died before Fox was ten, was a physician and member of Parliament. Fox attended Stamford Hill Jesuit college near London, and became an electrical engineer. However, he early discovered that he had healing power, and from the time of his late teens studied New Thought. He came to know the prominent New Thought writer Thomas Troward.
Fox attended the London meeting at which the International New Thought Alliance was organized in 1914. He gave his first New Thought talk in Mortimer Hall in London in 1928. Soon he went to the United States, and in 1931 was selected to become the successor to the James Murray as the minister of New York’s Church of the Healing Christ. Fox became immensely popular, and spoke to audiences in some of the largest halls in the city. He was ordained in the Divine Science branch of New Thought.
While Emmet Fox lived he addressed some of the largest audiences ever gathered to hear one man’s thoughts on the religious meaning of life. His books and pamphlets have been distributed to over three million people and it can be conservatively estimated that they have come into the hands of ten million.
Fox’s secretary was the mother of one of the men who worked with Alcoholics Anonymous co-founder Bill Wilson, and partly as a result of this connection early AA groups often went to hear Fox. His writing, especially “The Sermon on the Mount,” became popular in AA.
The influence of Emmet Fox in the spread of New Thought ideas and emphases lies not simply in the large number of his readers, but in the fact that he is so widely read my ministers of all denominations. A check in large denominational bookstores in various cities from time to time has revealed that Emmet Fox’s books are in constant demand; and these are the stores in which ministers chiefly buy their books. They do not, of course, read it as New Thought, but they buy it and read it. There is nothing sectarian, certainly, in the titles “The Sermon on the Mount” and “The Ten Commandments,” nor is there anything about them outwardly to indicate that they are New Thought, and nearly half a century after his death, the writings of Emmet Fox remain influential.
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Sylvester Stallone’s First Blood Paycheck: You Won’t Believe How Much He Made for the 1982 Classic!
In 1982, Sylvester Stallone cemented his place in Hollywood history with the release of First Blood, the first film in the hugely successful Rambo franchise. Stallone had already found fame and fortune with 1976’s Rocky, but it was John Rambo that made him one of the biggest action stars in the world.
Reports vary, but Stallone was paid somewhere between $3.5 and $7 million for starring as the…
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Sylvester Stallone’s First Blood Paycheck: You Won’t Believe How Much He Made for the 1982 Classic!
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Sylvester Stallone’s First Blood Paycheck: You Won’t Believe How Much He Made for the 1982 Classic!
In 1982, Sylvester Stallone cemented his place in Hollywood history with the release of First Blood, the first film in the hugely successful Rambo franchise. Stallone had already found fame and fortune with 1976’s Rocky, but it was John Rambo that made him one of the biggest action stars in the world.
Reports vary, but Stallone was paid somewhere between $3.5 and $7 million for starring as the former Green Beret drifter struggling to adjust to civilian life. This was an astronomical sum for the time, especially when you consider that he had been paid just $35,000 for writing and starring in the original Rocky six years earlier.
So just how did Stallone score such a monumental payday for First Blood? Let’s take a look at Sly’s salary negotiations and the incredible success of Rambo to see how a simple script about a disenfranchised Vietnam veteran turned Stallone into one of the highest paid stars in Hollywood.
Rocky Puts Stallone on the Map
It’s hard to overstate the impact that Rocky had on Sylvester Stallone’s career. He was a struggling actor with just $106 in his bank account when he wrote the script for Rocky in 3 and a half days. Unable to sell the script unless he was attached to star, Stallone held out until producers agreed to let the unknown actor take on the iconic role of the Italian Stallion.
Made on a modest budget of just over $1 million, Rocky earned $225 million at the box office and won three Academy Awards, including Best Picture. Overnight, Stallone became one of the biggest stars in Hollywood. Given his immense contribution to the film’s success, Stallone was determined not to make the same mistake again with his future projects.
From a $35,000 Payday to $3.5 Million: Stallone’s Salary Soars
For Rocky, Stallone was paid just $35,000 for his work as actor and writer. But for the 1979 sequel, Rocky II, he earned $2.5 million thanks to a lucrative profit participation deal. Though the Rocky franchise had proven hugely successful, there were still questions about whether Stallone was a bankable star outside of the Italian Stallion role.
Stallone’s next non-Rocky film, Paradise Alley, was a box office flop, grossing just $3 million on a $5 million budget. But Stallone was about to prove his star power with First Blood. For the right to play John Rambo, Stallone is reported to have earned between $3.5 and $7 million upfront.
Some sources have claimed his final paycheck was closer to $3.5 million, which was still an enormous amount in 1982 for an actor without a long track record of hits. The higher estimate of $7 million likely factors in the percentage of gross profits Stallone is rumored to have negotiated from the first dollar. Either way, it was a massive raise over his previous non-Rocky projects.
How Did Stallone Earn So Much for First Blood?
So how did Stallone manage to command such an astronomical salary for First Blood? There are a few key factors that gave him leverage in negotiations:
Rocky proved his box office value. Though Paradise Alley had flopped, the extraordinary success of Rocky and Rocky II showed that Stallone could draw big crowds to the theater. This enabled him to demand a huge payday.
He was intrinsic to the film’s success. Like with Rocky, Stallone had penned the script himself and intended to star as the lead character. The producers knew that the film would not get made without him.
Competition for the role. Stallone reportedly had multiple studios bidding for the rights to First Blood in a competitive situation that drove up his asking price.
He held out for profit participation. On top of his large upfront salary, Stallone likely secured a deal entitling him to a percentage of the film’s gross profits. This would earn him tens of millions down the road.
Whatever tactics he used, Stallone’s huge payday for First Blood paid off in spades…
First Blood Becomes a Blockbuster Hit
First Blood was made on a budget of $15 million and wrapped after just 50 days of filming. Buoyed by Stallone’s star power and the popularity of the source novel, it earned $125 million at the worldwide box office.
While this was an excellent return on investment, the larger importance was establishing Rambo as a hugely popular character who could anchor an action franchise. Audiences couldn’t get enough of Stallone’s brooding, muscle-bound hero with a talent for explosive mayhem.
Like Rocky before him, John Rambo struck a chord with audiences and became ingrained in popular culture. As the man who created him, Stallone had given himself a valuable character to build new films around. And the profits from the first Rambo movie were just the beginning of a massive payday for Sly.
Stallone Earns $16 Million for Rambo: First Blood Part II
On the heels of First Blood’s success, Stallone was able to negotiate an even bigger payday for the inevitable sequel. For 1985’s Rambo: First Blood Part II, Stallone earned a phenomenal $16 million salary.
This was partly due to the leverage of First Blood’s box office revenues, which showed producers how popular the character had become. But the sequel also gave Stallone a chance to direct for the first time, giving him additional negotiating power.
The sequel was an even bigger hit, earning $300 million globally. Stallone, who was now established as one of the world’s biggest movie stars, had proved he could demand huge salaries upfront instead of having to wait on profit participation bonuses. Audiences couldn’t get enough of John Rambo.
And neither could Stallone…
Rambo III Brings Stallone $12 Million
In 1988, Stallone returned in Rambo III, for which he earned a paycheck of $12 million plus a percentage of profits. Though this was lower than the second film, it was still one of the largest salaries ever paid to an actor at the time. The third Rambo adventure saw the muscle-bound warrior take on Russian forces in Afghanistan.
Rambo III earned $189 million at the box office, demonstrating that the character still packed major firepower with audiences. And with a total budget of just $63 million, the profits flowed generously to the studio and to Stallone.
In just six years, Stallone had gone from a little-known actor paid $35,000 to one of the highest-earning stars in Hollywood thanks to the success of Rocky and Rambo. Though he had other hits like Cliffhanger and Demolition Man that paid big bucks, it was John Rambo that made Stallone a multi-millionaire megastar.
Stallone’s Rambo Salaries Total Over $30 Million
Adding up his reported salaries for the first three Rambo movies, Stallone earned over $30 million in upfront paychecks, not counting any bonuses or profit points. Factoring in backend profits likely boosts his total Rambo earnings from the 1980s close to $50 million.
For comparison, a $7 million salary in 1982 would be equivalent to over $20 million today adjusted for inflation. That explains why Stallone’s original Rambo paycheck raised so many eyebrows at the time. But the movie’s profits proved his drawing power.
Thanks to astute negotiating, Stallone was able to capture a huge share of the value created by his iconic characters. Rather than watch the studios make hundreds of millions off his work, Sly emerged from the 1980s as one of Hollywood’s richest stars off the success of Rocky and Rambo alone.
What Can We Learn from Stallone’s Blockbuster Deals?
So what lessons can we take from Stallone’s monumental paydays for the First Blood franchise? Here are a few of the keys to his success:
Create evergreen content and characters. Stallone crafted stories and characters that audiences couldn’t help but fall in love with. Their ability to anchor multiple films allowed him to keep earning big paychecks.
Negotiate ownership and upside. Stallone made sure he didn’t just earn a salary, but that he participated in the huge profits his creations generated.
Leverage competitive interest. By getting studios bidding for his projects, Stallone drove up his fees and prevented himself from being underpaid.
Be your own brand. By becoming intrinsically tied to characters like Rocky and Rambo, Stallone created huge demand to see him reprise these roles.
Don’t undersell yourself. Once he had a major hit under his belt, Stallone knew his worth and held out for salaries reflective of his drawing power.
Stallone had the foresight to negotiate deals that paid him handsomely upfront while also giving him a cut of his films’ continuing profits. While few people have created icons at the level of Rocky or Rambo, Stallone’s techniques offer lessons for anyone looking to maximize their value.
By crafting compelling stories, understanding his worth, and betting on himself, Sly became one of the highest-earning stars of his era. His paychecks for the Rambo franchise showed how you can graduate from an unknown to a multi-millionaire megastar practically overnight with the right leverage.
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Quit Your Day Job? How to Organize Your Day as a New Full-Time Author
You’ve dreamed of it: waking up to a day where your only job is to write. The romantic vision of sipping coffee as you craft worlds with words is tantalizing. But becoming a full-time author is more than just typing away in solitude. It requires organization, discipline, and a fair bit of business savvy. Let’s take a practical look at structuring your day for creative freedom and professional…
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Quit Your Day Job? How to Organize Your Day as a New Full-Time Author
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Quit Your Day Job? How to Organize Your Day as a New Full-Time Author
You’ve dreamed of it: waking up to a day where your only job is to write. The romantic vision of sipping coffee as you craft worlds with words is tantalizing. But becoming a full-time author is more than just typing away in solitude. It requires organization, discipline, and a fair bit of business savvy. Let’s take a practical look at structuring your day for creative freedom and professional growth.
Organization Matters
In a traditional job, you often have a set schedule, specific tasks, and a boss to report to. In the life of a full-time author, you’re the boss, the employee, and the entire HR department. Without a proper schedule, you risk falling into the trap of procrastination, burning out from a lack of work-life balance, and even suffering from creative stagnation (writer’s block, anyone?).
An organized day, on the other hand, can lead to enhanced productivity and even better creativity.
Find Your Golden Hours
Identifying your most productive hours is crucial. Whether you’re most alert and creative in the early morning, afternoon, or late into the night, use these “golden hours” to focus on the most challenging and important aspects of your work: writing, editing, or brainstorming new ideas.
Prioritize Important Writing Tasks
Once you’ve identified your golden hours, the next step is to reserve this valuable time for tasks that have the greatest impact on your writing career. This means prioritizing activities such as completing a chapter, revising an outline, or developing characters and plotlines.
Tackle these tasks during your peak productivity hours to ensure you’re making significant progress on your most important goals.
Identify Your Optimal Organization Method
Keeping track of your tasks, ideas, and deadlines is crucial, but there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to organization. Some authors may lean toward digital platforms for a visually structured experience.
On the other hand, you might find that the simplicity of a handwritten checklist or even sticky notes on a wall works best for you.
Choose a method that aligns with your workflow and enhances your creativity, rather than complicating it.
Managing Administrative Duties
Writing may be your primary focus, but don’t forget that you’re also running a business. Once your creative peak hours have passed, it’s crucial to allocate time to the administrative and operational aspects that are integral to your career.
This involves managing a range of tasks from handling emails and correspondence with publishers, agents, and fans, to building your brand through marketing and social media efforts.
Don’t underestimate the importance of financial management: keep track of expenses, royalties, and other income while considering tools like accounting software or advice from a financial advisor.
Networking is another key component, whether it’s connecting with other authors, joining writers’ groups, or attending industry events, these relationships can offer invaluable opportunities and resources.
Finally, stay abreast of market trends and continuously educate yourself about what’s current in your genre.
These tasks might not tap into your creative side, but they’re essential for sustaining a long-term writing career and achieving a balanced work-life dynamic.
Rest and Recharge
While it’s tempting to power through when you’re feeling inspired, it’s important to remember that breaks aren’t just allowed — they’re beneficial. Stepping away from your work for a few minutes—whether it’s to enjoy a cup of tea or take a brief walk—can reinvigorate your mind and provide a fresh perspective on your writing.
The aim is to strike a balance, allowing for periods of intense focus while also incorporating short, refreshing breaks to recharge your creative batteries.
Continued Learning and Development
Consider dedicating part of your non-peak time to skill enhancement, industry research, and networking. Whether it’s taking specialized courses to improve your writing techniques, staying updated on market trends through newsletters and podcasts, or preparing for writers’ conferences to build professional relationships, continuous learning is crucial.
This is also a good time to go through feedback from readers or editors to understand your audience better.
Becoming familiar with the latest writing tools and software can further streamline your writing process. By incorporating professional development into your daily routine, you not only maintain but elevate your skills and career prospects.
As you step into the gratifying yet challenging world of being a full-time author, constructing a routine that nourishes both your professional and personal life is crucial. From identifying your most productive times to investing in continuous learning, balancing administrative duties, and making time for family and personal well-being, every aspect plays a role in your success.
A well-rounded life not only serves as the cornerstone for long-term professional triumph but also for mental well-being.
Never underestimate the revitalizing power of quality time spent with loved ones or engaging in personal hobbies.
How do you structure your daily routine?
What do you think?
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Tips for finding affordable collectible books
Who says book collecting has to break the bank? You don’t need to purchase expensive first editions of famous novels or books signed by Nobel Prize winners to have an outstanding book collection. If you want to collect books on a budget, here are five ways to acquire collectible books without upsetting your bank manager. Our Guide to Book Collecting is also a useful resource.
Collect authors who…
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Tips for finding affordable collectible books
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Tips for finding affordable collectible books
Who says book collecting has to break the bank? You don’t need to purchase expensive first editions of famous novels or books signed by Nobel Prize winners to have an outstanding book collection. If you want to collect books on a budget, here are five ways to acquire collectible books without upsetting your bank manager. Our Guide to Book Collecting is also a useful resource.
Collect authors who frequently sign books
Some bestselling authors are famous for being generous signers and frequently appear at bookstore events and literary festivals where they sign hundreds of copies in a single session. A plentiful supply of signed copies keeps prices low. These epic book signers include David Sedaris, Neil Gaiman, Ken Follett, Salmon Rushdie, Margaret Atwood, Patrick Ness, and Colson Whitehead. Use our signed books page.
Books signed by David Sedaris
Books signed by Salman Rushdie
Books signed by Colson Whitehead
Books signed by Patrick Ness
Collect Folio Society books
The Folio Society is half publisher, half book club (as it has members) and was founded in 1947 on the principle that books should be beautiful to the eye as well as captivating to the mind. The Folio Society’s formula for success is publishing books with exceptional typography, illustrations, paper and bindings. Some scarce editions attract high prices but AbeBooks offers thousands of Folio Society books priced under $10.
Folio Society books by Grahame Greene
Folio Society books by George Orwell
Folio Society books by Muriel Spark
Folio Society books by Agatha Christie
Collect vintage paperbacks
Launched in 1924, Penguin paperbacks were designed to be affordable and easy to carry. Penguin founder Allen Lane wanted to make quality literature accessible to everyone. Today, vintage Penguins can be picked up cheaply and are easy to find. They also look impressive on any bookshelf thanks to their color scheme. Orange for fiction, green for crime, pink for travel and adventure, dark blue for biographies and memoirs, red for drama, purple for essays, and yellow for miscellaneous.
Orange Penguins
Green Penguins
Purple Penguins
Blue Penguins
Collect books by era
Our Advanced Search page makes it easy to find books from a distinct time period. You will see a large number of affordable used and vintage books when browsing in this way. By narrowing your search results to a particular decade, you can find interesting books by adding a keyword like Art Deco or Cold War.
New York books from the 1920s
Murder mysteries from the 1940s
Cookbooks from the 1950s
History books from the 1960s
Collect later printings
True first editions (that’s the first appearance of a work) have the highest prices. But you can build an amazing collection by focusing on later printings which are more affordable. If a book was first published in the United States, look for the first British edition, or first illustrated edition, or a second or third printing in the best possible condition.
Amsterdam by Ian McEwan
The Mosquito Coast by Paul Theroux
The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan
Sophie’s Choice by William Styron
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