Right on Schedule: James Patterson

A Christmas read and a summer beach read. At least an annual sequel in different series. A new 17 book deal to finish between September 2009 and September 2012. James Patterson is a man of many due dates, and manuscript dues dates are only part of the brand machine he has created. Working with a group of co-writers Patterson produces several books a year, in addition to working with a full time editing and marketing team to publish them to his specifications. This past weekend he came out with a long interview in The New York Times and the Telegraph, telling much the same story that he did when interviewing with these publications in February 2008. Two years before that it was Time and MSNBC. Whoever it is, the story is of a common man who broke the rules to become a breakout success.

Just how do you come to hold the Guinness world record for having written the most bestselling books (51), or to have sold an estimated 170 million books worldwide, or to have earned over £30.6 million in 2008 alone as Forbes magazine reported? You start out like all writers, by dreaming of becoming a great, serious writer. Then, as many intelligent people have, Patterson realized he was no James Joyce. However upon reading a few commercial thrillers, he thought, as many intelligent people have, "I can do that."

The difference being that he actually did do it. His first novel, in a literary noir style, sold respectably and won an award. But when he looked at an outline for a subsequent project, he made a crucial decision — not to flesh it out. Instead, he would skip any boring description and let the plot do the story telling for him. His style became bare and accessible. With a good plot and great pacing, he made the pages turn themselves for his readers. Now Patterson is the wealthiest, most sold writer to date, even if he gets no kudos from the critics.

Critics say he is a bad writer; Patterson argues his focus is on the story — not the words. Some people feel his characters are cartoons; Patterson would argue they are made known through the plot. He certainly breaks a cultural taboo of many booklovers by using a stable of hired hands to write his ongoing, multiple projects with him. People like to think of novels as they do lyric poetry, an outpouring of the soul in story. Patterson is more pragmatic — he just wants to tell a good story.

Article Author: Art Ravels

An arts enthusiast based out of New York City, I write about arts and culture with a literary nod or two. For more of my writing, see daily aesthetic musings at www.artsravel.blogspot.com.

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