A closer look

The undisputed master of horror almost threw his entire career into the literal garbage can over a bad case of imposter syndrome. Stephen King got frustrated writing the opening shower scene of Carrie, gave up, and tossed the pages in the trash. His wife Tabitha dug them out, wiped off the cigarette ashes, and told him the story had potential. That garbage manuscript became his first published novel, eventually making him a multi-millionaire.