Watching TV last night, I saw a commercial for the latest book churned out by the James Patterson factory. My general rule is to chat only about authors I like and not badmouth those I don’t—but Patterson drives me crazy (my apologies to the impressive number of Patterson fans out there). I tried reading Kiss the Girls several years ago when the Morgan Freeman movie hit theaters but just couldn’t get through it. The writing was pedestrian and the one-page chapters distracting. That aside, it’s not his writing that bothers me . . . it’s his approach to writing.
Those of us who write do so because we love the act itself. It’s wonderful to see your thoughts take shape on a page, and it’s an amazing feeling to finish a story and hold in your hands a completed manuscript. While I have yet to score a bestseller and certainly can’t afford to write books fulltime, I dream of the day—if it ever arrives—when I can devote myself fully to the profession. Of course, I want to make enough money doing it to sustain myself and my family, but my passion for writing is the primary motivator.
So, what does this have to do with James Patterson?
I don’t consider him a true writer. He’s more of an idea factory who leaves the writing to others. You’ll notice on most of his recent efforts, it’s his name and that of another author’s on the cover. He’s certainly not the only guy doing this these days. Tom Clancy and Clive Cussler are two others who come to mind—but Patterson seems to have taken it to a whole other level. In 2009, the Hatchette Book Group announced it had signed a deal that would see Patterson bang out 17 books through 2012 . . . that’s 17 books in three years. According to his website, Patterson already has four books due out this year: one in March, two in May, and one in July (he already released one earlier this month). Last year, he put out nine. Some may consider Stephen King a factory (personally, I’m a fan), but at least the man writes his own books.
I can only assume at this point in his career, Patterson doesn’t care about any sort of artistic integrity or quality control. He merely wants a paycheck. My feeling is that if you want to write books, then write books—don’t contract someone else out to do it. The publisher is also to blame here, as it obviously doesn’t care what’s slapped between two covers. You can’t churn out nine books in a year from one author and expect to deliver a quality product.
Ultimately, it’s the fans who are cheated.
My rant is over. I don’t know—maybe I’m just being overly critical.
I’ve never read him myself, but people certainly seem to enjoy him and at least they’re including his ghost’s on the cover now so they can get proper credit. This could be a great way for them to achieve some sort of recognition in the publishing world even if Patterson has sold out.
That is true. I know one of his ghost writers, Andrew Gross (I believe is his name), has gone on to write a few bestselling thrillers on his own. It’s definitely a foot in the door.
I don’t know if you can say he isn’t a “writer”. That’s my personal opinion. If you write amd consider yourself such, you are one. I’ve never published a thing and I consider myself a writer. But that’s beside the point.
I’ve not read his books, my grandma loved them. I thought similar things to you about him.
Apparently that’s what people want. Give the public what it craves, I guess, if you want something quick and dirty.
Me? I’ll write my heart and see what happens.
Indeed . . . if you write, regardless of whether or not you’re published, you are a writer. But I don’t think Patterson writes any of his books anymore. I think he generates the ideas and has someone else put them down on paper!
As you point out, they still sell . . . so people are interested.
Well, like was said, at least the ghostwriters are getting credit now.
You can tell instinctively when an author starts delegating his work. People know a name, assume it’s going to be good, and buy it off the rack. Totally unfair. I’m a King fan myself. The guy is so sarcastic and real in what he writes, he makes everything believable. I’ve read them all and every one is an original. The day stories can’t be told anymore, it’s time to hang it up. Margaret Mitchell was 17 when she wrote Gone with the Wind and never wrote again. Even if she could have it probably wouldn’t have compared. Sometimes that happens. One hit wonder beats selling your soul for a check.
I’d love to be known for just one book–one classic–than write countless books and not be known at all!
I think it would be one thing if he wrote all the books himself, but all these collaborations seem unfair. It definitely isn’t with the goal of writing a killer book, but of making a killer profit. I don’t think the two should be exclusive.