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I Don’t Want to be the Greatest Best Seller of All Time
But Would I Try for James Patterson Amounts of Money?
When I first decided to try my hand at writing a thriller, and cast around for the best examples to read, James Patterson was high on the list. His sales are astounding. His books seemed to be on the shelves of every store.
I noticed that almost all the titles were cowritten. Of course I was curious. How would that work? Do you hang out with him in a cramped office stuffed with two typewriters, a carton of cigarettes, and a bottle of scotch?
As I continued my research into the genres of crime, action and horror (the secret recipe for making a thriller), Patterson was held up as one of the greats. How-to articles pointed out his fast pacing, unflinching use of dangerous villians, and productivity.
If nothing else, no one put out as many books as he (and his partners). Certainly, that creative genius ought to be modeled.
I started one of his books and set it aside. Didn’t finish. I don’t recall what it was or exactly why, but it just didn’t resonate with me. So, too, with a couple of other authors with similar reputation for exciting stories and consistent productivity. It didn’t hit me.
