The Persistent Writers’ Hall of Fame: Kathryn Stocketts (“The Help”)
Way back on August 28, 2008, I wrote up this post in which I inaugurated The Persistent Writers’ Hall of Fame, a tongue in cheek way of acknowledging how the road to success is often fraught with many twists, turns and rejections.
In the case of some writers, a lot of rejections.
You may remember Jim King — who I’ve featured here, here, and an exclusive interview here — whose novel “Bill Warrington’s Last Chance” had been rejected by agents 54 times. Then his book sold and now it’s on its way to becoming a movie. Thus an honorary member of The Persistent Writers’ Hall of Fame.
Now we can add another one to that esteemed roster: Kathryn Stocketts. Have you heard of the current #1 hit movie The Help? Currently with $71M B.O. revenues? Stocketts wrote the novel upon which that movie is based. What about her route to success:
In the end, I received 60 rejections for The Help. But letter number 61 was the one that accepted me. After my five years of writing and three and a half years of rejection, an agent named Susan Ramer took pity on me. What if I had given up at 15? Or 40? Or even 60? Three weeks later, Susan sold The Help to Amy Einhorn Books.
The point is, I can’t tell you how to succeed. But I can tell you how not to: Give in to the shame of being rejected and put your manuscript — or painting, song, voice, dance moves, [insert passion here] — in the coffin that is your bedside drawer and close it for good. I guarantee you that it won’t take you anywhere. Or you could do what this writer did: Give in to your obsession instead.
And if your friends make fun of you for chasing your dream, remember — just lie.
60 rejections letters! And out of that, a bestselling novel, a hit movie, and a great writing mantra:
“Give in to your obsession.”
Like you are editing pages right up until a few minutes before you give birth [an anecdote from Stocketts’ article].
Congratulations to Ms. Stocketts. Another esteemed member of The Persistent Writers’ Hall of Fame.
For more of her first person article, go here.
UPDATE: Ferdinand posted this which makes the story of The Help even more amazing:
It’s a tale of fast friendships and overcoming adversity. And, appropriately, the big-screen adaptation of novel The Help stems from a story of two friends helping one another.
Back in 1974, Kathryn Stockett, author of the best-seller, and Tate Taylor, screenwriter and director of the movie, were in the same class at the Mothers’ Morning Out preschool in Jackson, Mississippi.
They were both five at the time. Over three decades later, their relationship has survived the bumpy road to Hollywood success.
— —
He convinced Ms Stockett to give him the film rights and immediately went to work on the screenplay. By the time The Help was published a year later, his script was ready. Hollywood came calling, and Mr Taylor was repeatedly asked what he intended to do with the coveted rights to the hit novel.
‘I’d say, well, I’ve written the screenplay and I’m directing it,’ he said, although his previous Hollywood experience was limited to a few small acting parts and a small independent feature he wrote and directed. ‘They would look at me like I was nuts, and so doors shut.’
Sometimes it seems like a miracle when a movie gets made. The Help, it seems, falls into that category.