You’re Closer Than You Think

The book that launched Stephen King’s career almost didn’t exist… because he threw it in the trash.

In 1972, King wrote three pages of “Carrie” in a cold trailer laundry room, surrounded by cigarette smoke and exhaustion. He hated the idea. Didn’t connect with the character. Thought it was unrelatable, unsellable, and just plain bad.

So he crumpled the pages and tossed them.

The next day, his wife, Tabitha, found the discarded pages while emptying the trash. She fished them out, smoothed them out, and read them.

“You’ve got something here,” she said. “I really think you do.”

So King continued writing and submitted it to publishers.

After 30 rejections, King received a telegram in March 1973.

“CONGRATULATIONS. CARRIE OFFICIALLY A DOUBLEDAY BOOK. IS $2500 ADVANCE OKAY? THE FUTURE LIES AHEAD. LOVE, BILL.”

A year later, the paperback rights to “Carrie” were sold for $400,000—and Stephen King’s career was launched.

Millions of copies, movie deals, global career…

All from three pages that almost stayed in the bottom of a landfill.

The idea and work were life-changing. But his brain convinced him they weren’t good enough.

That’s because that voice in your head is acting out of fear more often than it is out of honesty.

We talk about impostor syndrome like it’s a personality trait, but really, it’s just a lie you tell yourself. And worse, it’s a convenient one.

So instead of disqualifying your own work, ask yourself this:

“What brilliance have I already thrown away because I doubted myself?”

Give it one more pass.

You might be sitting on something remarkable.

See you Monday,
Mark Manson

#1 New York Times Bestselling Author
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