Girlposse.com Readers Interview James Patterson

Last month we gave our readers the opporunity to send in questions to James Patterson. 10 were chosen, and those people will receive a copy of the thrilling Maximum Ride.
(Please note: If you haven' yet responded to your e-mail about having won, please do so that we may ship your prize. Thank you!)

We want to thank EVERYONE that sent in questions! We received thousands!! We narrowed it down to our favorites and let Mr. Patterson choose the 10 he would answer. Here they are:


Girlposse.com Reader, Michelle D: What book did you write then read and go WOW?
James Patterson: This Women's Murder Club book that's coming out in May, 4th of July, was one that when I finished it, I just knew I'd taken it to a new level. I don't want to give anything away, but it puts some of my past plot twists to shame.

Girlposse.com Reader, Cindy S: What inspires you to start a new book and how do you decide where you are going to go with the ending?
James Patterson: A good idea is what starts a book for me. Like the idea for Lifeguard--where this basically good kid gets mixed up in some really bad business--that's what gets me going. Then the next thing is I develop the plot and outline it--make the roadmap for actually writing the thing. And that's when I decide where to go in the end. I basically tell the story to myself and figure where it's going to end up--and then I swear myself to secrecy so I don't ruin it for anyone.

Girlposse.com Reader, Gale T: Your works encompass many different genres. From love story to thrillers to Sci-fi. What makes your writing so versatile?
James Patterson: The thing with me is it's more about story ideas than story genres. I wrote Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas because it was a story close to my heart that I wanted to write, not because I wanted to write a love story in particular. And the winged kids' books--including Maximum Ride--I wrote because I was so taken with the idea of being able to fly. Now, having said that, there are probably a few genres you won't find me trying just because I don't find them interesting or, at least, know much about them. Techno-thrillers, gothic romances, seafaring stories, probably a few others. But I do have a horror novel in the works.

Girlposse.com Reader, Jaydee D: Why are your chapters so short?
James Patterson: I guess it's just the way I'm wired. I suppose it also helps keep me focused on what's important--the story. Lots of times I think if writers give themselves too much space they don't focus on what they're really trying to get across to the reader.

Girlposse.com Reader, Kathy C: As a high school teacher, my question to Mr. Patterson would be: "What are your recommendations for encouraging today's youth to wish to become writers and what would you suggestions for teachers be to encourage students to read and write as a hobby?"
James Patterson: I just did something with New York Times's Newspapers in Education program where I put together a lesson plan for teachers who are teaching writers. Check out this page-- http://www.twbookmark.com/features/jamespatterson/meetjp.html -- and then follow the links to the teacher's guides for a fun class exercise. I also would recommend--besides Maximum Ride--Holes by Louis Sachar, Eragon by Christopher Paolini, Cirque du Freak by Darren Shan, and Be More Chill by Ned Vizzini

Girlposse.com Reader, Gale K: Have you ever had your books rejected when you first started writing? I love your books. Hope I win this one.
James Patterson: I like them, too. But my first book, The Thomas Berryman Number, was rejected by more than twenty-five publishers before Little, Brown & Company accepted it.

Girlposse.com Reader, Greta G: Does he use pen and paper, typewriter, or computer?
James Patterson: I write with no. 2 pencils (lots), and yellow lined pads. And the occasional chocolate chip cookie here and there.

Girlposse.com Reader, Angela P: Do you find it significantly different writing for young adults as opposed to a general audience?
James Patterson: Not really. It's all about story. It's got to move for old adults and it's got to move for young adults just the same.

Girlposse.com Reader, Sara M: I am also a writer and I often find it hard to decide when a piece is truly completed. I put the pen down, blissfully happy with the work, and say "Done!" Then weeks later, I find myself wanting to go back and change names, places, etc. How do you know when something is complete and to just let it be?
James Patterson: I guess it's a pretty subjective decision. But part of what probably helps me is to have a couple books in progress at the same time. That way I can step away from one for a little while and come back to it and--like you said-- see what's missing. But you'll see yourself when you get there with a book. It's like baking cookies or something. If you watch the process too closely, it seems like nothing's happening; but when they're really done, you can tell.

Girlposse.com Reader, Rachel P: What are the emotions that you always imagined people feeling while reading your books?
James Patterson: Well I think most Alex Cross, Lindsay Boxer, and Maximum Ride fans will agree I like to give people adrenaline rushes. And these same readers probably feel a certain warmth towards characters in the books--whether Nana Mama or Claire Washburn or John Sampson--and I hope the readers of Sam's Leters to Jennifer and Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas feel that same warmth towards the characters in those books. But beyond that I don't know what I really try for in terms of emotion. Probably I concentrate more not on making any particular emotion but, rather, on avoiding a single one--boredom.

Special thanks to TWBookmark and James Patterson for making this happen!!!

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