Samuel DenHartog's Blog: The Road to 1,440 - Posts Tagged "road"

As I reflect on the first year of my journey to write 1,440 books in 12 years, I'm filled with a mixture of gratitude, determination, and awe at the road ahead. Setting out to write ten books a month for 12 years was an ambitious goal, one that demanded discipline and creativity in equal measure. Now, with 127 books completed and published in the first year, I find myself slightly ahead of schedule—a reassuring sign that this monumental task is not only possible but also deeply fulfilling. Each book represents a piece of my passion for storytelling, whether it's reimagining ancient myths, crafting fables, or bringing new ideas to life across diverse genres.

For those who do not know, Ryoki Inoue is a remarkable inspiration for ambitious writers everywhere, and his story has fueled my own goal of writing 1,440 books in 12 years. A former thoracic surgeon from São Paulo, Ryoki, in 1986, left his medical career at 40 to pursue his passion for storytelling, ultimately becoming the world's most-published author with 1,283 books to his name. His secret? A combination of 98% sweat, 1% talent, and 1% luck. Ryoki's work ethic was nothing short of extraordinary. Known for his incredible work ethic, Ryoki wrote his first 999 books in his first six years and sometimes wrote three books in a single day, proving that discipline and passion can lead to extraordinary achievements. Inspired by his journey, last year in late November of 2023, at 51, I set out to try and not only break his record but also expand the possibilities of storytelling by exploring diverse genres and themes. After 37 years of professionally crafting computer programs and video games through the precision of structured code, transitioning to the boundless freedom of creative writing has been a liberating experience beyond anything I could have imagined.

This first year has taught me the importance of balance—finding ways to nurture creativity while maintaining the steady pace required to meet my goals. It's also been a reminder of why I started this journey: to write stories that resonate, inspire, and entertain readers of all ages. As I look ahead, I know the road will be challenging, with thousands of ideas yet to be explored and countless hours of writing still to come. But with each book I complete, I'm reminded that this journey is about more than the numbers; it's about the joy of creation and the enduring power of the written word.

They say it takes 10,000 hours to become an expert at something, and as I pass the 2,500-hour mark in my journey, I can feel the progress in every page I write. Over the course of this first year, I've grown as a writer—honing my craft, finding my voice, and learning the rhythm of balancing creativity with consistent output. Many of the books I've completed, especially those in my "Mythology Anthologies" and "Fables Anthologies" series, have been as much for me as for my readers. These stories allowed me to dive into the worlds that came before, explore their depths, and reignite my imagination in ways I didn't expect. They were stepping stones that taught me the value of creative exploration while honoring the timeless tales that have inspired storytellers for generations.

Creating the "Mythology Anthologies" series was an extraordinary journey into the captivating worldviews of ancient cultures, revealing how civilizations grappled with universal questions about existence, nature, and the divine. From the majestic deities of Greece to the complex pantheons of Mesopotamia and Egypt, I've discovered that mythology is more than tales of gods and heroes—it's a rich tapestry of values, fears, and aspirations that reflect humanity's struggles and triumphs. Writing this series has deepened my appreciation for how myths transcend time, offering lessons on resilience, creativity, and the quest for meaning. The stark differences between gods across cultures are especially fascinating: Norse gods are flawed, mortal beings battling fate with grim determination, mirroring their culture's acceptance of life's impermanence, while Egyptian gods embody cosmic balance, reflecting a society that prized order and continuity. Greek gods, full of human flaws and passions, highlight a civilization that embraced emotional complexity and relationships. These cultural differences illuminate how each society's environment and worldview shaped its understanding of divinity, making mythology a timeless mirror of humanity.

Writing the "Fable Anthologies", "Grimm Imagination" and "Arabian Nights Reimagined" series has been a transformative experience, deepening my understanding of storytelling's universal power while showcasing the unique voices of fairy tales from around the world. Through these works, I've learned how different cultures approach common themes—cunning, bravery, love, and justice—each infusing its own values and worldview into the narratives. Exploring these tales has taught me not only about the shared humanity in our myths but also about the creativity that emerges from diverse traditions. The process of modernizing and reimagining these stories has been as much about learning their lessons as it has been about honing my craft, blending respect for their origins with fresh perspectives. These journeys into folklore have enriched my imagination and given me a greater appreciation for the timeless art of storytelling.

As I look back on this first year, I see not only how much I've accomplished but also how much I've grown. Each story, each book, has been a stepping stone—part of a larger journey that continues to challenge and inspire me. This process has taught me that storytelling is as much about listening as it is about creating—listening to the stories that have endured, to the lessons they offer, and to the readers who breathe life into them by engaging with my work and with me on Facebook. Writing has been both a deeply personal and a communal act, one that bridges my imagination with the hearts and minds of others.

As I enter my second year, my focus begins to evolve. While I will always value the stories I write for personal growth, I'm increasingly energized by the opportunity to create books with my readers in mind. My anthologies and fairy tales series have been the most successful in generating revenue. Still, I've noticed that my stand-alone books and romances have resonated most deeply, drawing the highest engagement on Kindle Unlimited and receiving the most ratings and reviews. Moving forward, I plan to write more original stories and expand into the genres that have connected most with my readers. This year feels like a chance to grow not just as a writer but as a storyteller who listens and responds to the audience, which makes this journey so meaningful. If the first year was about laying a foundation, the second year will be about building stories that inspire, entertain, and foster a lasting connection with my readers.

The road ahead is long, but the possibilities are boundless. I'm eager to delve deeper into original stories and explore the genres that resonate most with my readers, creating books that entertain, inspire, and stay with them long after the final page. With each book I write, I feel closer to my goal—not just the ambitious number I set for myself, but the deeper goal of crafting wonderful stories that matter. The journey continues, and I can't wait to see where it leads.

Thanks to all who are on this journey with me! One year down, eleven to go—here's to the stories yet to be told!

Cheers,
Samuel DenHartog

http://samueldenhartog.com/

Two years ago, I shared a wild goal with you. I announced that I was going to write 1,440 books in 12 years, ten books a month, every month, for more than a decade. It was a huge, slightly ridiculous-sounding promise, but it felt like the truest way to match the size of the stories I wanted to tell and the worlds I wanted to build.

Now I get to share something even more fun. At this point, two years into the journey, my plan only required me to have 240 books finished. Instead, I have already completed and published 281 books (in English). That means I am not only on track, I am ahead of schedule, and that small margin feels like a deep breath after a long run. It tells me the daily work adds up and the crazy twelve year plan now has real pages and real covers attached to it.

If I kept going at this pace, I could probably finish the whole goal in about eight more years instead of ten. For now, though, I am not ready to officially speed it up. I like having a little buffer. It gives me room to experiment, to try new series, to adjust when life gets busy, and to make sure each book feels like its own world rather than just another tick on a scoreboard.

In the beginning, I honestly was not sure if I would have the energy to keep this up. The first few months left me a little worn out, and I wondered whether I had pushed myself into something that would grind me down rather than lift me up. Over time, though, the seven-day-a-week pace has settled into my life. Writing every day feels natural now, like brushing my teeth or drinking my morning Red Bull. It is no longer a question of “Can I do this?” but “What am I writing next?” and that shift has changed everything.

Along the way, I have started some projects that feel especially close to my heart. One of them is "Jataka Tale Rhymes," a series that retells early Buddhist stories about the Buddha’s past lives in clear, rhythmic verse for adult readers. These are tales of merchants and kings, talking animals, wise ascetics, and clever tricksters that first took shape in India and wandered across Asia, carrying lessons about discernment, compassion, and the cost of folly. I keep the core plots and settings, trim the heavy repetition, and aim for language that feels both faithful and fresh, so the poems can be enjoyed on a quiet evening alone or read aloud with family and friends.

Book 9 in that series is "The Mango Grove King," which begins with a small moment that changes everything. A single grey hair appears on a king’s head, and he chooses to hand his crown to his son and walk away from power into a mango grove where he can train his heart and mind instead. There, he learns to let loving kindness grow where pride once lived and to meet change with calm eyes instead of fear. While I am not going off to live in a mango grove, I recognize myself in that kind of decision. This long writing journey feels like its own form of learning, a steady practice of attention and reflection as each new book ripens, one after another, into something that teaches me as much as I hope it touches my readers.

One of the quiet joys of this whole experiment is how much I get to learn along the way. My fables series and fairy tale series both keep introducing me to stories I had never heard before, small regional variants, strange little motifs, and the way the same human hopes and fears dress up in different costumes from country to country. The mythology anthologies open doors into worlds of gods, heroes, and underworld journeys, and Little Lamb Rhymes invites me to sit with familiar Bible stories from angles that make them feel new again. Each book pulls me into research, reflection, and a kind of listening, and I come away knowing more about the worlds inside the stories and the world we share outside of them.

The same is true for my cozy mysteries, cryptid adventures, and all the other odd corners of my catalog. One day I am imagining the layout of a small seaside town so the clues in a mystery will feel real, the next I am exploring legends of hidden creatures or reading about cultural beliefs that shaped a folk tale. It is a constant flow of details, histories, and perspectives that would never have crossed my path if I were not writing these books. That steady discovery is a deep happiness for me. Each project is not just another title on a list, but a chance to be curious, to understand a little more, and to share that sense of wonder with anyone who decides to read along.

Initially, I also worried I might run out of ideas. How many stories can one person really tell before the well runs dry? The funny thing is that the opposite has happened. The more I write, the more ideas arrive. New series keep popping up in my mind, often while I am working on something entirely different, and when I step back and look at the outlines and plans, I can easily see paths that could carry me to 2,500 books or more. At this point, the only real question is not whether I will have enough stories, but how many years I will get to keep pouring them out onto the page.

Through all of this, I am deeply grateful for everyone who has chosen to walk alongside me. Whether you read every new release or simply peek in from time to time, your presence matters. I try to set each new book free on Kindle at least once after it comes out, so if you follow me on Facebook you can catch those windows, share them with friends, and be part of the journey even if you are not a big reader yourself. Knowing you are out there cheering, sharing, and checking in makes this grand experiment feel less like a solo marathon and more like a long, adventurous road trip with good company.

So here is to the original 1,440, the big crazy number that started this whole adventure, and to the quiet little thought that maybe, just maybe, 2,500 stories are waiting if life gives me the years. I plan to keep writing as long as I live, because I still wake up hungry for the next page and fall asleep thinking about the one after that. I love what I do, and at this point, I am happily addicted to the mix of writing, learning, and sharing the journey with you. As long as the words keep coming and you keep walking beside me, I will keep building new worlds and sending them out into yours.

Cheers,
Samuel DenHartog