James Patterson (b 1947)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Patterson

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Patterson_bibliography

這個老兄，可以在十二小時內，寫兩本書，

In an interview for USA Weekend, Stephen King said Patterson was "a terrible writer but he's very successful."^[36] King also implied, when asked on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert about how many hours it takes him to write a book, that Patterson needed only 12 hours for two books, noting he and Patterson had "a mutual respect—sort of."^[37] Patterson said of King in a Wall Street Journalinterview, "He's taken shots at me for years. It's fine, but my approach is to do the opposite with him—to heap praise."^[38]

Why James Patterson could write 2 books in 12 hours? (ChatGPT, 202411-18)

James Patterson’s ability to produce an extraordinary number of books in a short time isn’t due to superhuman speed in writing but rather to his unique collaborative writing model and highly structured creative process. Here’s how he accomplishes it:

1. Collaborative Writing

• Co-Authors: Patterson works with a team of co-authors who help him flesh out and write his ideas. He develops detailed outlines for his books, often running to 50-80 pages, which guide the co-authors through the process.

• Role of Co-Authors: His co-authors typically write the first draft based on his outline, after which Patterson reviews, edits, and adds his touch. This division of labor allows multiple books to be in development simultaneously.

2. Detailed Outlining

• Master of Structure: Patterson creates highly detailed and precise outlines for his stories, often breaking down the plot chapter by chapter. This structured approach reduces the time needed to develop the narrative and ensures the story flows seamlessly.

• Efficiency: By focusing on planning rather than spontaneous writing, Patterson minimizes time spent on rewrites or plot inconsistencies.

3. Genre and Formula

• Commercial Genre: Patterson writes in genres like thriller and mystery, which often have established tropes and conventions. While his stories are unique, they adhere to certain patterns that make them easier and faster to construct.

• Pacing Expertise: He specializes in short chapters and quick, action-packed narratives, which are easier to outline and execute rapidly.

4. Outsourcing and Delegation

• Division of Labor: Beyond writing, Patterson delegates many aspects of the publishing process, including marketing, research, and logistics, allowing him to focus purely on creating stories.

• Large Team: His network includes editors, publishers, and marketers, ensuring the work moves smoothly from conception to publication.

5. Decades of Experience

• Skill Refinement: With years of experience, Patterson has mastered the craft of storytelling and can streamline the creative process effectively.

• Instinct: His intuition for what works in a story—developed through decades of writing—allows him to make quick, confident decisions.

6. Marketing and Brand Power

• Name Recognition: Patterson’s name itself is a brand, which makes publishers and readers highly receptive to his work. This reduces the need for extensive self-promotion and allows him to focus on production.

• Prolific Output as Strategy: Writing numerous books solidifies his presence in the market and keeps his readers engaged.

Could He Literally Write Two Books in 12 Hours?

If Patterson claims to “write two books in 12 hours,” it likely refers to:

• Outlining Two Books: With his detailed and systematic process, Patterson could feasibly outline two books in a short time.

• Reviewing Final Drafts: He might review and finalize books written by co-authors or edit already-prepared drafts within that time frame.

His success stems from his ability to combine creativity, delegation, and an almost industrial approach to book production. While he isn’t writing every word of every book himself, his fingerprints are on every project, ensuring quality and consistency.

Book banning

In March 2023, Patterson's Maximum Ride series were banned from two elementary school libraries in Florida's Martin County School District and placed in their middle school libraries.^[50] Patterson criticized the move, calling it a "borderline absurd decision". He encouraged readers to "send a polite note" to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in response to legislation passed to seek community input on school library materials.^[51]

Why Florida's Martin County School District banned James Patterson’s Maximum Ride series? (ChatGPT, 2024-11-18)

In March 2023, Florida’s Martin County School District removed James Patterson’s Maximum Ride series from its elementary school libraries, relocating them to middle school libraries. This decision was part of a broader initiative to review and reassess library materials in response to new state guidelines aimed at ensuring age-appropriate content in schools.

Reasons for Removal:

1. State Legislation Compliance: The district’s action aligned with Florida’s legislative measures requiring school libraries to seek community input on available materials. These measures were designed to ensure that content is suitable for students’ age groups.

2. Parental Concerns: Some parents and community members expressed concerns about the appropriateness of certain books, including the Maximum Ride series, for younger readers. These concerns prompted the district to reevaluate the placement of these books within school libraries.

James Patterson’s Response:

James Patterson publicly criticized the district’s decision, describing it as a “borderline absurd decision.” He questioned the grounds for removing the series from elementary schools and encouraged those troubled by such book removals to express their concerns to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.

Broader Context:

The removal of the Maximum Ride series occurred amid a wider movement in Florida and other states to scrutinize and, in some cases, ban books deemed inappropriate for certain age groups. This movement has affected numerous titles and has sparked debates about censorship, educational content, and parental rights in determining suitable reading materials for students.

In summary, the Martin County School District’s decision to remove James Patterson’s Maximum Ride series from elementary school libraries was influenced by state legislative directives and community concerns regarding age-appropriate content. This action reflects a broader trend of reassessing educational materials to align with evolving standards and expectations.

Maximum Ride / Hawk series

• Maximum Ride series:
  1. The Angel Experiment (2005), New York: Little, Brown and Company ISBN 978-0-316-15556-4
  2. School's Out - Forever (2006), New York: Little, Brown and Company ISBN 978-0-316-15559-5
  3. Saving the World and Other Extreme Sports (2007), New York: Little, Brown and Company ISBN 978-0-316-15560-1
  4. The Final Warning (2008), New York: Little, Brown and Company ISBN 978-0-316-00286-8
  5. MAX (2009), New York: Little, Brown and Company ISBN 978-0-316-00289-9
  6. Fang (2010), New York: Little, Brown and Company ISBN 978-0-316-03619-1
  7. Angel (2011), New York: Little, Brown and Company ISBN 978-0-316-03620-7
  8. Nevermore (2012), New York: Little, Brown and Company ISBN 978-0-316-10184-4
  9. Maximum Ride Forever (2015), New York: Little, Brown and Company ISBN 978-0-316-20750-8
• Maximum Ride: Hawk series:
  1. Hawk (2020), with Gabrielle Charbonnet, New York: Little, Brown and Company ISBN 978-0-316-49440-3
  2. City of the Dead (2021), with Mindy McGinnis, New York: Little, Brown and Company ISBN 978-0-316-50015-9