She was suicidal, divorced, and on welfare.
Then she wrote 7 books that sold 600 Million copies.
Now, J.K. Rowling's a billionaire.
Her secret writing technique behind the best-selling series of all time:
Then she wrote 7 books that sold 600 Million copies.
Now, J.K. Rowling's a billionaire.
Her secret writing technique behind the best-selling series of all time:
J.K. Rowling's story is one of rags to riches:
She conceived the idea of Harry Potter on a delayed train in 1990.
She wrote the story as a single mom on welfare and faced 12 rejections before Bloomsbury took a chance.
Her persistence paid off. Big time...
She conceived the idea of Harry Potter on a delayed train in 1990.
She wrote the story as a single mom on welfare and faced 12 rejections before Bloomsbury took a chance.
Her persistence paid off. Big time...
Her first book, "Philosopher's Stone" was released in 1997.
Initial print: 500 copies.
But by 2001, the first four books had total sales of 116 million+.
A global phenomenon was born.
But there's a secret behind how she wrote such a complex story:
Initial print: 500 copies.
But by 2001, the first four books had total sales of 116 million+.
A global phenomenon was born.
But there's a secret behind how she wrote such a complex story:
It's Rowling's intricate plot grid system.
It's not your average outline.
Rather, it's a complex roadmap guiding her through 7 books and 1.08 million words.
Let's break it down:
It's not your average outline.
Rather, it's a complex roadmap guiding her through 7 books and 1.08 million words.
Let's break it down:
Rowling's plot grid is a hand-drawn spreadsheet:
• Columns represent timeline/chapters
• Rows represent different plot threads
• Each cell contains key events
This allowed her to track multiple storylines across a vast narrative landscape.
But that's just the beginning...
• Columns represent timeline/chapters
• Rows represent different plot threads
• Each cell contains key events
This allowed her to track multiple storylines across a vast narrative landscape.
But that's just the beginning...
The power of Rowling's technique lies in its versatility:
• Flexibility: Easy to add, remove, or rearrange elements
• Bird's-eye view: She could see the entire series at a glance
• Detailed focus: Zoom in on specific plot points or character arcs
It's like a Marauder's Map for her story.
• Flexibility: Easy to add, remove, or rearrange elements
• Bird's-eye view: She could see the entire series at a glance
• Detailed focus: Zoom in on specific plot points or character arcs
It's like a Marauder's Map for her story.
Here's how Rowling used this technique for "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix":
• 6 columns for 6 "story threads"
• 38 rows for 38 chapters
• Each cell packed with tiny, coded notes
This single sheet contained the blueprint for a 257,000-word novel.
The genius of this system?
• 6 columns for 6 "story threads"
• 38 rows for 38 chapters
• Each cell packed with tiny, coded notes
This single sheet contained the blueprint for a 257,000-word novel.
The genius of this system?
It's both structured and flexible:
Structured enough to prevent plot holes, flexible enough to allow for creative inspiration
She could see how changing one element would ripple through the entire story.
It's chess-like strategic planning for storytelling. But Rowling didn't stop at plot grids:
Structured enough to prevent plot holes, flexible enough to allow for creative inspiration
She could see how changing one element would ripple through the entire story.
It's chess-like strategic planning for storytelling. But Rowling didn't stop at plot grids:
She created detailed backgrounds for characters, even those barely mentioned.
Example: She had a full biography for Gilderoy Lockhart, including his:
Hogwarts house, wand type, and childhood experiences.
This depth made her world feel incredibly real.
Example: She had a full biography for Gilderoy Lockhart, including his:
Hogwarts house, wand type, and childhood experiences.
This depth made her world feel incredibly real.
Rowling's technique also involved extensive revision:
She would rewrite the first chapter of each book numerous times.
Why? The opening had to:
• Set the tone
• Hook the reader
• Plant seeds for later plot developments
She would rewrite the first chapter of each book numerous times.
Why? The opening had to:
• Set the tone
• Hook the reader
• Plant seeds for later plot developments
The result of Rowling's technique?
• 7 books
• 8 blockbuster movies
• A theme park
• Worldwide cultural phenomenon
• Estimated $25 billion franchise
All from a story first plotted on a hand-drawn grid.
• 7 books
• 8 blockbuster movies
• A theme park
• Worldwide cultural phenomenon
• Estimated $25 billion franchise
All from a story first plotted on a hand-drawn grid.
Rowling built an empire from writing. Her books made her a billionaire.
And you can do the same...
But I'm not talking about writing fiction. I'm talking about using content to achieve whatever goals you might have.
Content is the internet's greatest gift. You write once, but:
And you can do the same...
But I'm not talking about writing fiction. I'm talking about using content to achieve whatever goals you might have.
Content is the internet's greatest gift. You write once, but:
You get seen by millions.
Your content will find its way to whoever will benefit from it the most.
If you're a founder, and want to get started today, check this out:
Your content will find its way to whoever will benefit from it the most.
If you're a founder, and want to get started today, check this out:
Want to attract customers, investors & opportunities with high-performing content like this?
We just finished our FREE X Audience Building Masterclass showing you how to create content (in any niche) that gets millions of views.
Get it here:
audiencemasterclass.com
We just finished our FREE X Audience Building Masterclass showing you how to create content (in any niche) that gets millions of views.
Get it here:
audiencemasterclass.com
Thanks for reading!
A bit about me:
1.5 years ago, I dropped everything to build personal brands for founders on 𝕏.
Since then, we’ve scaled to a team of 17 and driven over 1.5 Billion impressions & 350,000 followers for 35+ clients.
If you enjoyed this thread and want more like this, consider dropping a follow.
Have a wonderful day!
A bit about me:
1.5 years ago, I dropped everything to build personal brands for founders on 𝕏.
Since then, we’ve scaled to a team of 17 and driven over 1.5 Billion impressions & 350,000 followers for 35+ clients.
If you enjoyed this thread and want more like this, consider dropping a follow.
Have a wonderful day!
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