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We have already discussed how Hans Christian Andersen wrote about what he knew and managed to keep both children and their parents entertained by his stories. In part two of this AuthorHouse Writing Master Class we will look at how he harnessed his passion for writing and the power of self-publishing to launch his career. His Passion and Ambition Overcame Discrimination and Parochialism
Andersen was born into a poor, lowly existence. His ambition, however, was unwavering. He initially strove for a theatrical career as a dancer and, when this door was closed to him, he embraced writing with the same determination and vigour. His background and breeding was a constant impediment to absolute acceptance from the society to which his talent and success introduced him and of which he so desired to be a part. Indeed this struggle remained one of the underlying themes prevalent throughout his writing. Instead his resolute self-belief and confidence enabled him to overcome the rejections he would constantly experience, professionally in his early career and constantly within high society. No matter how well known and successful he was, he would forever be known as “the cobbler’s son from Odense.” This resoluteness spilled over into defiance during his schooling under the sponsorship of his patron. Despite being forbidden to practice and develop his literary talents (the sole purpose for him being at school in the first place) by his headmaster, he composed the poem The Dying Child. Andersen’s headmaster denounced the poem as “rubbish” and he was soon withdrawn from the school. The Dying Child would become one of the most famous poems of that century. Self Publishing was his Gateway to Success
Andersen wrote his first book at the age of 22. The difficulties of new writers today were certainly mirrored by the writers of the early 1800’s. He was unable to find a publisher who would accept A Walking Tour from the Holmen Canal to the Eastern Point of Anger so he decided to self-publish his work (if only AuthorHouse was around in 1827!). The book was a great success, sold out its print run and paved the way to an illustrious career delighting millions over the next century, with millions more to be entertained ad infinitum. In this second part of our AuthorHouse Hans Christian Andersen Writing Master Class we discussed how he harnessed his passion for writing and the power of self-publishing to launch his career. In the third part of this AuthorHouse Writing Master Class, we will look at how Andersen’s inspirations gave him the strength to challenge conformity.
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AuthorHouse, Hans Christian Andersen, writing, self-publishing,
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