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Mulberry
 15 Aug 2009, 04:10 #68403 Reply To Post

From The Times

August 15, 2009

The key to Dan Brown’s success

Critics hate him, readers devour him, publishers are in awe of his Midas touch. As the clock ticks down to Dan Brown’s latest opus, we unlock the mystery of how an Elton John wannabe became the defining author of our time.
sulcus
 15 Aug 2009, 09:09 #68412 Reply To Post
Quote: Mulberry, Saturday, 15 Aug 2009 04:10

From The Times

August 15, 2009

The key to Dan Brown’s success

Critics hate him, readers devour him, publishers are in awe of his Midas touch. As the clock ticks down to Dan Brown’s latest opus, we unlock the mystery of how an Elton John wannabe became the defining author of our time.


Not all readers ...
"A,B&E", "Not In My Name" and "52FF" (flash fiction anthology) all available on Amazon Kindle

"How a psychopath makes sweet love. I can get you ringside. Royal box even."
Ais
 15 Aug 2009, 10:21 #68431 Reply To Post
"...the defining author of our time." Some good early books, certainly - but 'defining'...

Is this the same kind of hype bullshit as Mr/Miss Universe held on a one-horse planet out in the unfashionable end of the western spiral arm, of a very average galaxy well in the shadow of the great wall of galaxies, the one which doesn't invite any other competitors?

Gods help us.
This post was last edited by Ais, 15 Aug 2009, 10:22
Work as if you live in the early days of a better nation - Alasdair Gray
sulcus
 15 Aug 2009, 18:29 #68473 Reply To Post
Why do we even care? Mr Brown is not operating in the same market as us.

It is pointless for any of us to decry him as a poor writer, for clearly he shifts unimaginable units.

It is equally pointless to admire him and want to follow directly in his footsteps.

Unless you are a reader of his books as a fan, he bears no relevance to anything about us writers, good, bad or indifferent.
"A,B&E", "Not In My Name" and "52FF" (flash fiction anthology) all available on Amazon Kindle

"How a psychopath makes sweet love. I can get you ringside. Royal box even."
NickP
 05 Sep 2009, 12:03 #71162 Reply To Post
I've not read any Dan Brown, except the first chapter and a half of the Holy Bloood one (what was it called again?)

But of course it has to do with us as writers. This is a writer that people who don't read much fiction actually read.

You want to be read by somebody other than a fellow writer here? Have a look at techniques that commercial writers use to get a reader involved in a story.

Not a stream of consciousness to be seen.
"...the likes of NickP can rant on if they like"
sulcus
 06 Sep 2009, 19:44 #71240 Reply To Post
Quote: NickP, Saturday, 5 Sep 2009 12:03
I've not read any Dan Brown, except the first chapter and a half of the Holy Bloood one (what was it called again?)

But of course it has to do with us as writers. This is a writer that people who don't read much fiction actually read.

You want to be read by somebody other than a fellow writer here? Have a look at techniques that commercial writers use to get a reader involved in a story.

Not a stream of consciousness to be seen.


Nick, do you feel there's a single writer on YWO who could emulate DB? He is operating in a different universe. I'm not familiar with his bibliography, but I'm betting the blockbusters were not his first stabs at fiction. Maybe YWO writers might be better served reading his formative works and seeing the progression he made to enable him to reach superstar status. Then maybe they can pick up some useful tips.

Stream on dear consciousness, stream on with the runnel of ideas and do not pause to become snagged on the straits of silted language.
"A,B&E", "Not In My Name" and "52FF" (flash fiction anthology) all available on Amazon Kindle

"How a psychopath makes sweet love. I can get you ringside. Royal box even."
paula8888
 06 Sep 2009, 21:13 #71252 Reply To Post
Apparently, the book which inspired Dan Brown to have a crack at writing was Sidney Sheldon's Doomsday Conspiracy.
sulcus
 06 Sep 2009, 21:48 #71256 Reply To Post
Quote: paula8888, Sunday, 6 Sep 2009 21:13
Apparently, the book which inspired Dan Brown to have a crack at writing was Sidney Sheldon's Doomsday Conspiracy.


Paula, you might be on to something here. What is the book that most inspired YWO to first pick up a pen/sit down to type?
"A,B&E", "Not In My Name" and "52FF" (flash fiction anthology) all available on Amazon Kindle

"How a psychopath makes sweet love. I can get you ringside. Royal box even."
paula8888
 07 Sep 2009, 07:33 #71280 Reply To Post
For most people it's either going to be something great or something rubbish (Hell, I can do better than this). For Dan Brown it was something rubbish which he thought was great.

I tried reading a Sidney Sheldon recently. They were the first adult books i read, aged 11 and I thought I might learn something from a book that was pure plot.

I gave up at chapter three.
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