Comments on: The best seller who doesn’t write his own books

By: JA

JA — Sat, 02 Mar 2013 12:25:25 +0000

Oops, sorry to have taken it like that, then. My apologies.

By: ABeth

ABeth — Sat, 02 Mar 2013 06:12:51 +0000

I picked up one, and it was okay. Hit enough of my buttons that I got the next few. I’ve quit now, though — I’ll pick up the manga versions of that series instead, since they don’t have the hypershort chapter thing going.

But committee books can be decent! I was a Nancy Drew addict as a kid! (Till I spotted the formula that they all adhered to, after reading 2-3 in a row: There is mystery, Nancy goes digging for clues, Nancy gets captured in the process, Nancy’s friends/family have to bail her out Barely In Time. I think I was probably… 8? 9? Maybe 10? When I got tired of the Damsel In Distress part.)

By: Michael Kingswood

Michael Kingswood — Sat, 02 Mar 2013 06:07:53 +0000

Hmm…

I was actually trying to agree with you as well. Sorry if that came out wrong.

*sheepish grin*

By: JA

JA — Sat, 02 Mar 2013 03:55:50 +0000

Uh, like I said, I was agreeing with John: many of the comments on this post seem to be envy cloaked in disdain. When I mentioned literary quality, I was alluding to the commenters who referred to Patterson’s writing as subpar and bemoaned the sad state of American culture. And as I then said, Patterson presents us with a hell of a model to follow. In other words, I agree with you. Well, except about the arrogant douchebag part. I’ve got somebody else in mind.

By: Michael Kingswood

Michael Kingswood — Sat, 02 Mar 2013 00:35:06 +0000

“the literary quality of Patterson’s works”

I would add that this is a very snobby turn of phrase that gets thrown around a lot (but only by writers and English majors/professors) but is never defined.

It seems to me that when someone starts talking about literary quality, that person really is talking about what he/she likes, not anything substantial. Thus when someone says Patterson or James or whomever might be selling a lot but their writing sucks or is of poor quality or whatever, all they’re saying is that they personally do not like it, but they’re trying to say it in a way that sounds intellectual or or deep or some such drivel. But really they just end up coming off as arrogant douchebags.

News flash: by definition, a piece of commercial fiction that sells millions and millions of copies is good, make that masterful, writing. And a writer who sells millions and millions of books is a far better than good writer. More like excellent. Especially when you get into the hundreds of millions like Patterson does – that is master territory, folks.

The rest is just meaningless fluff. Instead of all the sour grapes, people really ought to be taking notes and learning how to do it as well as guys like Patterson. But it’s far easier for people to just belittle their betters to make themselves feel less insecure.

By: Michael Kingswood

Michael Kingswood — Sat, 02 Mar 2013 00:23:58 +0000

All authors are companies. It’s a business.

By: JA

JA — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 18:28:21 +0000

John, I was going to add my own thoughts but you summarized everything I wanted to say. To answer your question, I am in business. I couldn’t care less about the literary quality of Patterson’s works, nor what it says about our culture that he enjoys such popularity. I look at him and I see a hell of a business model. Not necessarily one for everybody to try to emulate, but a hell of a model nonetheless.

By: John

John — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 17:54:19 +0000

I discern a touch of envy in some of the comments – the green almost shows through PG’s color scheme. Disguised as disdain on one or two places…

I have read one or two of his Dr Cross books, admittedly as travel absorbing/time killing material. They were light enjoyable reads. OK, if I was seeking literary structures, I would be disappointed – but they filled a purpose. And I have difficulty coping with competition winning literary works, anyway.

Writing is writing. Writing is a business. Some writing is technical, some is non-fiction, some is fiction. Some is outlining for series scripts, some is blood sweat and tears novel output. But – writing is writing.

If that effort results in a book – whether 50 shades or something ‘by’ Cussler or something ‘by’ Patterson – and readers are lining up to buy it – there is a message there if we are struggling to exceed our 1,000 or 2,000 or even 10,000 sales.

We can stand back and throw stones. Or we can evaluate, review, assess, and decide whether we want to change our business mission. A question for the writers who are reading PG’s blog – we are in business, aren’t we?

Just sayin…

By: Bartholomew Thockmorton

Bartholomew Thockmorton — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 12:19:06 +0000

Years ago, when Christmas just days away, Wife asked me what kind of book I wanted.

“Oh…anything by Clive Barker,” I replied.

X-mas morning, I opened a package that obviously contained a hardback…by Clive Cussler!

Har!

By: Fiona Ingram

Fiona Ingram — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 06:23:17 +0000

I hate to say this but the reason his books are ‘empty’ of character development is because there is none. The apprentice turns out a replica of what he/she thinks the master wants. Only the author himself can develop a character. I have read a number of Patterson books (factory products) and find there is just one mad rush through a plot with no internal working or deeper stirrings. To say he is a writer is really an insult to other writers. He is the owner of a book factory. Yes, well done to him, however, it is also sad that readers seem to like this word porridge that is so easily digested because one doesn’t have to do any mental ‘chewing’ in the reading process. “Long hours alone?” I think not. When he moves into soft furnishings and other retail stuff then we’d better watch out. I used to love Clive Cussler’s early novels as well. Then he began writing them with other people and the difference between ‘his bit’ and ‘their bit’ was so palpable that I gave up on his novels. They have become banal and like Patterson, lacking that vital spark that truly makes a best-seller. I believe Wilbur Smith’s (much younger and money mad) wife has persuaded him to also commit this heinous sin. His original publisher declined to be part of the fiasco but no worries, mate, along came another one who is only tooooooo happy to be part owner of a book factory.