334 - Brad Meltzer: Creating a Bestselling Novel (The Secret X-Factor Revealed)

Rejection

Brad Meltzer's journey is marked by resilience in the face of rejection. He recalls the pivotal moment of receiving his 23rd and 24th rejection letters, a memory that fuels his determination every day. "Every day for over 20 years, now that I sit down to write before I will touch the keyboard, before I will do a single lick of work, I sit down in my seat and I literally picture that room I was in," he shares 1. This experience taught him to embrace rejection as a catalyst for growth, shaping his approach to writing and life.

   

Reinvention

Meltzer's career is a testament to adaptability and reinvention. He transitioned from writing literary novels to thrillers, driven by a desire to succeed despite initial setbacks. "I was young and stubborn. And the week I got my 23rd and 24th rejection letter, I said, if they don't like that book, I'm going to write another," Meltzer explains 2. His love for comic books also influenced his storytelling, as he often hides comic references in his novels, creating a unique blend of genres 3.

   

Challenges

Meltzer's fearless approach to challenges is evident in his writing journey. He likens his leap into writing thrillers to jumping into the deep end of a pool without knowing how to swim. "Who just jumps in the deep end of the pool to see if they can swim? But that's how I learned to swim," he reflects 4. This boldness is mirrored in his storytelling, where he crafts narratives around human questions, such as the intriguing premise of his Green Arrow story 5.