I have to admit I’ve never read a James Patterson novel. I think it’s because there are TV commercials promoting them, and they’re all over airports. The snob in me thinks I’m too good for that. But, c’mon, I have to respect the fact that the man has created an empire–an empire–with his writing. Anyone who can make a good living on fiction is somewhat of a hero for most of us creative writers.
NBC’s Rock Center with Brian Williams profiled James Patterson a few weeks back and I really respected what he had to say. Did you know Patterson used to work in advertising? I didn’t. Considering that’s my daytime gig, I found that interesting. Even more interesting, Patterson goes against almost everything in my last post. Patterson knows his place in the literary world and defends his books for what they are–good stories that sell well. He’s not trying to be “the great American novelist.” I’m a little judgmental of this, I admit. But, does “going commercial” have to equate with “selling out”? Maybe not. If the writer is honest with himself–ie “hey, I just want to make some money”–and is happy and fulfilled, I’m not sure I can judge. Secretly, I’ve considered writing chick lit because it’s all the rage, but I think I’d annoy myself, so I haven’t gone that route. But it’s fine for those who do. There’s room for all kinds.
A glimpse inside the inner sanctum of Patterson’s office reveals shelves stacked with paper. They are manuscripts in progress with everything from screenplays to a Christmas themed Alex Cross book to his latest passion, writing children’s books.
The author is one of the most prolific of our time and has done it in a way that’s garnered criticism from his literary rivals. Patterson often works with co-authors. By the end of this year, he will publish 13 books, most of them written with co-authors. Some critics say that Patterson is less of a writer and more of an assembly line. Patterson defended his work.
“You’ve been in my office, it ain’t a factory. It is an artist studio. I’m deeply involved. I’m doing this thing seven days a week,” Patterson said. “Nobody looks at Mercedes and goes, ‘It’s an assembly line.’ They go, ‘It’s a Mercedes,’ you know? And I think the books are good reads.”
Patterson said that he usually does an initial outline of a story and a co-author will take a stab at a first draft. Then, armed with a sharpened, yellow pencil, Patterson fine tunes the draft into what he hopes is a page turner.
“People are looking for entertainment, that’s what I try to do. I don’t consider myself to be a super serious writer, but I think I do write entertaining books,” he said. “I think there are a limited number of things that really are consistently entertaining and I think my books are consistently entertaining so people read them a lot.”
Of his millions of readers, 70 percent of them are women, he says. Traces of his hometown, Newburgh, N.Y., can be found in his work. Patterson returns there to visit and has named characters after childhood friends.
In college, Patterson said he became a voracious reader and dreamed of writing, but never thought he could make a living from it.
After being rejected 31 times, Patterson’s first novel, “The Thomas Berryman Number,” was published in 1976. The mystery received the prestigious Edgar Award, but sold only 10,000 copies.
After the book’s commercial failure, he made a decision that changed the way he approached writing.
“I made the decision I’d like to write books that sell better,” Patterson said.
Patterson chose to write bestselling books and not the next great American novel, he said.
“I don’t have those chops and I don’t want to write something that’s halfway there. I don’t want to write a well-received literary novel that sells 5,000 copies and that people that I don’t particularly want to talk to like it,” Patterson said. “I don’t want to write for those people. I could, but I don’t want to.”
Selling is something Patterson knows how to do. According to Forbes Magazine, he earned $94 million last year, making him the highest-earning author in the world.
Patterson learned how to sell after working more than 20 years as an advertising executive, overseeing popular campaigns for companies like Toys R Us and Burger King.
“The key is you have to hit people in the face with a cream pie, you have to get their attention and then you have to say something smart, something motivating, something that’s worthwhile, but you do have to get their attention,” Patterson said.
Patterson used his advertising background to make one of his most well-known novels, “Along Came a Spider,” a bestseller. He had the idea to make a television commercial promoting it, something that had rarely been done for hardbacks when it was released in 1993. Patterson said he utilizes his time as an ad man when it comes to the covers and titles of his books. He has also helped his characters, like Alex Cross, journey from the page to the big screen.
Patterson, the father of a 14-year-old son, has started cranking out books for children, too.
“I in particular love writing the kids’ books,” Patterson said. “I think that’s really my passion right now.”
He has even launched a website, ReadKiddoRead.com, full of book recommendations aimed at getting more children to read.
“This is a passion and a cause for sure,” Patterson said. “You got to give kids books that they’re going to read.”
Despite his success, Patterson has no plans to slow down.
“I love stories, that’s it. I love storytelling. I’m addicted to it. I think it’s a harmless addiction and one that’s worked out very well for me,” he said.