Blogs 11 + 13

Blog 11:

Ok, so I haven't checked my blog since before Thanksgiving. I signed on today, and it turns out Blog 11 was never published. I don't know why. I'd like to blame it on some computer malfunction, but that may not be the case. Fortunately, I write all my posts in Word (because I don't always trust these blogging websites). When I get home tomorrow and have access to the computer I saved it on, I will upload Blog 11.

Blog 13:
I was intrigued by Joanne's presentation on formula writing and its connection to what sells in the marketplace. I think there is a popular misconception that bestselling author is not as talented as the "literary" writer. I did some research on James Patterson and found this very interesting interview on Charlie Rose.

http://www.charlierose.com/view/interview/5105

It seems that Patterson does just work on crafting his plot lines as a writer maybe more in the mold of Jonathan Franzen or Dom DeLillo does in crafting their dialogue, descriptions or literary style. Plot based writing, even when working within a formula, requires just as much creativity and insight as prose writing that has perhaps more of an poetic quality. Patterson himself says that his goal with "Cat & Mouse" was to write a page-turning thriller. Though I haven't read "The Post Card Killers" based on what I heard in Group 2's discussion, it seems he had the same goal with this book. It would be very interesting to read a book from an popular author like Dean Koontz, John Grisham or Patterson in a college level English class. I think professors fear the conversation would dry up and there would be nothing to discuss. I don't think this would be the case. Books of this nature perhaps have to be examined in a slightly different light, but the same skills of literary analysis can still be applied to popular works of fiction.

If you do not have time to watch the whole interview with Patterson, jump ahead to about the 12:30 mark. This is in reference to Joanne's discussion of formula writing. Patterson says one of the things he likes most about his books are unique. He says, "For better or for worse James Patterson's books...are not like somebody elses' books." Perhaps he does write within a formula, but that formula is his own. He also discusses the work involved in developing his style. This time and effort should be appreciated and respected in the same we admire the styles of more "literary" writers like Franzen and DeLillo.