can't find no good reason

[tsubame]

Regarding this article in TIME Magazine about James Patterson, and James Patterson's complaint about not being highly respected: how is it possible to respect an author who says of his next book, "I don't think it's terribly worth reading, honestly"?

Comments

Warning: rant

[subsiding-leaf.livejournal.com]

"In a culture that values high style over storytelling, pretty prose over popularity and pulse-pounding plots..."

Pulse-pounding plots my EYE! His plots weren't pulse-pounding at all! They were inane and contrived! The man doesn't get any respect from the literati because he doesn't write good books! They're entirely plot-driven, both the writer of that article and Patterson admits it (in fact, that's about the only thing the journalist got right). Right there, that's where they go wrong. You fail as a good writer the moment you only think of plot at the expense of your characters. What's sad is that despite being entirely plot driven, his plots aren't even that great.

I can't believe the gall of that Times journalist. No sir, the literati is not interested in pretty prose. The literati is not interested in the Romantic myths of the Artist. They could care less where the man lives as long as he produces stories that stick to you, that move you, that trigger something deep within like ALL good stories do. Patterson writes stuff that you forget the moment you finish, and that's supposed to appreciated? The lines spoken by one Patterson character could just as easily come from another character, and that's supposed to be respected? The Times man is certainly right in saying his books are "not quite art," but for all the wrong reasons.

And sorry, Mr. Patterson, but a lot of people DO do it. Take a look at Danielle Steele, or Mary Higgins Clarke, or Dan freakin' Brown. They are all doing what you're doing--sacrificing character for the sake of "plot." They're all writing for a group of people who can't be bothered to THINK, and are blinded by cheap tricks and sparkles.

Whew. Sorry, I really just had to get that off my chest. James Patterson has always been a sore point with me, and the attitude of that journalist made me want to beat people down with sticks.

Um, carry on.^^;;

[grey-damaskena.livejournal.com]

The journalist writes for a popular magazine with a very large circulation, a significant part of which may well contribute to the best seller status of James Patterson's books. His readership is unlikely to take kindly to a particularly critical article.

Not that I disagree with you at all. There's no substance to the kind of books that Patterson writes, or to most thrillers when it comes to that.

[aiara.livejournal.com]

Managed to never read a Patterson book, but after reading this ... I'm appalled at his collaboration method. *boggle*

how far will we take this

[grey-damaskena.livejournal.com]

"Hm, I don't really have time to write this, would you mind awfully doing it for me? And then I'll rake over what you write to make it 'mine,' and you'll have your name on a cover with a best-selling author!"

::anger::