Master Class

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Lepplady

Chillin' since 2006
Nov 30, 2006
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Red Stick
There's a Master Class that James Patterson teaches about writing. I wish Sai King would do something like that.
I know, Unca Stevie is quite liberal with advice, and there's the WONDERFUL 'On Writing' book. No doubt that there are a lot of ways to learn from the master, not the least of which is reading his stuff.

But... James P. chooses a student to co-author a book with. If Stephen King did that, it would be cool beyond words.
 

prufrock21

Well-Known Member
Jun 2, 2011
2,956
12,657
The Caribbean
Brilliant idea. Where do I sign up?
Grasshopper: Mr. King, why do you write horror?
King: I write horror because the sun doesn't always shine in Florida. I write horror because a toothache sucks. I write horror because the Yankees have won too many pennants.
Grasshopper: You are then ... inspired?
King (cocks an eye): Very good, Grasshopper. But the question you should be asking is, not why I write horror, but why you write horror.
Grasshopper (smirks): Is that a trick question?
King: No. It's just an honest observation.
Grasshopper: Mr. King, it's getting cold. Won't you please come in?
King (exhales):
See in the distance?
Two crows are pecking madly
At a deer carcass
 

Lepplady

Chillin' since 2006
Nov 30, 2006
12,498
65,639
Red Stick
Brilliant idea. Where do I sign up?
Grasshopper: Mr. King, why do you write horror?
King: I write horror because the sun doesn't always shine in Florida. I write horror because a toothache sucks. I write horror because the Yankees have won too many pennants.
Grasshopper: You are then ... inspired?
King (cocks an eye): Very good, Grasshopper. But the question you should be asking is, not why I write horror, but why you write horror.
Grasshopper (smirks): Is that a trick question?
King: No. It's just an honest observation.
Grasshopper: Mr. King, it's getting cold. Won't you please come in?
King (exhales):
See in the distance?
Two crows are pecking madly
At a deer carcass
In line behind me.
Judging from your spoiler'd comment, though, you've got quite a way with words all on your own.
 

muskrat

Dis-Member
Nov 8, 2010
4,518
19,564
Under your bed
I'm sorry, but anything James *choke!* Patterson could teach me, I'd dig out of my head with an ice pick. Better to learn from one of his many nameless flunkies.

I guess he could tell ya how to craft an excellent outline. And who to hand it to.

I'm sorry. I love you all...but don't mention Patterson's name in my presence.
 

Lepplady

Chillin' since 2006
Nov 30, 2006
12,498
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Red Stick
I like how JP looks at it. He remembers starting out and is willing to lend his name out to help another writer make a start. He doesn’t have to bother, but he does.

Don't get me wrong. I'm a King fan forever. I just think it's a cool thing for JP to be willing to help out noobs.
 

Doc Creed

Well-Known Member
Nov 18, 2015
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I like how JP looks at it. He remembers starting out and is willing to lend his name out to help another writer make a start. He doesn’t have to bother, but he does.

Don't get me wrong. I'm a King fan forever. I just think it's a cool thing for JP to be willing to help out noobs.
I will try not to be cynical about...er, JP. Maybe he is trying to help other writers by giving them a platform but wouldn't an endorsement or book blurb suffice? My main problem with it is that, to any new readers or old JP fans, it appears as if JP wrote these books, or at least in part. I lost count how many times I needed to explain this to a patron at the library.
With that said, would I take advantage of such an opportunity? You can bet your bippy! :)
 

Lepplady

Chillin' since 2006
Nov 30, 2006
12,498
65,639
Red Stick
I will try not to be cynical about...er, JP. Maybe he is trying to help other writers by giving them a platform but wouldn't an endorsement or book blurb suffice? My main problem with it is that, to any new readers or old JP fans, it appears as if JP wrote these books, or at least in part. I lost count how many times I needed to explain this to a patron at the library.
With that said, would I take advantage of such an opportunity? You can bet your bippy! :)

I know that he has staff writers that do most of the b*tch work for him after he hands over an extremely detailed outline. But I don't know if that's the case here.
The way it's worded for this project, he co-authors a book with the student. So he puts in some work, presumably.
 

Doc Creed

Well-Known Member
Nov 18, 2015
17,221
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You make a good point about blurbs, though. Can you imagine what aspiring writers would sell for a blurb or review from Stephen King? Soul, dog, mother, kidney... the mind boggles.
Exactly. I wonder how many King readers were introduced to works like The Goldfinch or The Story Of Edgar Sawtelle strictly because they read King's blurb on it? I think he dispels the trepidation of reading such critically acclaimed books, Pulitzer winners, and other books perceived as too stuffy.
 

DiO'Bolic

Not completely obtuse
Nov 14, 2013
22,864
129,998
Poconos, PA
...Steve McQueen was great in it.....
sdey.gif
 

kingricefan

All-being, keeper of Space, Time & Dimension.
Jul 11, 2006
30,011
127,446
Spokane, WA
Exactly. I wonder how many King readers were introduced to works like The Goldfinch or The Story Of Edgar Sawtelle strictly because they read King's blurb on it? I think he dispels the trepidation of reading such critically acclaimed books, Pulitzer winners, and other books perceived as too stuffy.
Steve's blurbs have steered me towards many a great writer. There's only been one or two that I didn't care for out of a couple dozen.