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Back in 2000, Dan Brown changed my life.
But then Dan Brown made the religious thriller mainstream and commercial and it now has a great niche all of its own, with Steve Berry, James Rollins, Scott Mariani and others writing in the genre. There are now so many options for readers like me who devour these types of books and I mainline them (since I don't have a TV, I read a LOT!).
So when I wanted to write a fast-paced thriller series based on themes that I love, Dan Brown was definitely one of my influences and my ARKANE books were born. I even wrote short stories for Kobo's Descent, a contest to promote the launch of Inferno, so great was my fan-dom. So I am a Brown lover from way-back, a super-fan, one of those readers that writers want to attract.
But I just finished reading Inferno, Dan Brown's latest book, and instead of reviewing it, I wanted to share my lessons learned as an author.
No spoilers, I promise.
(1) Write what you love and don't get trapped into expectations
Inferno might satisfy the expectations of the publisher, and some fans for another Langdon book. But in reading it, I felt like Dan Brown did not have a fun time writing it, and in fact, he would rather be writing techno-thrillers.
The most interesting bits were about transhumanism and genetic modification as well as population control (which I also used as my bad guy's motivation in Prophecy.) Fascinating topics and I also like his strong female characters (who are far more 3-dimensional than Langdon).
But I think that perhaps Dan needs to stop writing the Langdon series and write something that really turns him on. And as a reader I want to see what he does with a techno-thriller.
Smash through people's criticisms, why don't you, Dan? Please.
You don't need the money so write something that's fun for you. Anything that takes you that long and isn't literary fiction can't have been enjoyable to write.
As authors, it's important that we love what we write and don't box ourselves into a genre that becomes a burden.
Sure, this is a business and you know I'm commercially minded, but I also want to do this as my passion as well as my income. Trying different things is part of the beauty of being a writer. So have a go at a short story in another genre, or a novella, and see how it feels. If you start feeling dry on a project, maybe it's time to switch it up a little.
(2) Book title, marketing and theme need to resonate
I've just read Dante's Inferno in order to write the Sin series, so I know the book pretty well. It's fresh in my mind, and Brown's Inferno doesn't even scratch the surface.
Instead of delving into the world of Dante's Inferno – the book – he has delved into Florence, Dante's home town, with the death mask a key artefact and a few cantos used as clues. But I was looking forward to the resonance of language and dark themes of Dante's Inferno and instead, got a travel guide to Florence and some other European cities. The marketing and hype has all been about Dante's Inferno, but as a hard-core reader of this genre and supporting works, I was disappointed that the book didn't match that.
As writers, it is our responsibility to ensure that the experience of the reader lives up to the expectations of the packaging. Book cover and title are critical in this aspect and it is why authors like Polly Courtney have split with publishers over issues of covers that don't match the book.
(3) Don't confuse the reader
I was confused a lot as Brown's Inferno jumped out of the action into flashback or detailed physical description or directions through the maze of Florence backstreets. Then one of the twists later in the book REALLY confused me and I needed to read back to various points, and then I found continuity issues that annoyed me.
As a reader, I don't want to be jolted from the fictive dream, and as writers, we have a responsibility to make sure the story hangs together.
Most of the professional writers I know use 5-8 beta-readers as well as editors and proof-readers. That's my process too, and my next book Desecration has already had 7 different people critique it and give me feedback as readers and editors. Now it's off to another round of reading, and another round of improvement.
With all the secrecy around Inferno, I can't help but wonder how many beta-readers read the book before it went to press. It's just confusing, even for someone like me who is an uber-geek in matters esoteric.
Am I still a fan of Dan Brown?
There were other issues with the book, and I'm sure you've read the usual criticism of Brown's writing style.
As someone who loved Da Vinci Code and Angels and Demons, and has defended Dan Brown a lot, I feel disappointed with Inferno. But as a writer, I think it teaches us a lot, and my opinion means little in this world, so I'm embracing my lessons learned on this occasion.
As a reader, I will buy another Dan Brown novel, but Dan, if you're listening, I hope it's a techno-thriller next time.
What do you learn from books by other authors? Do you find as a reader that you are more critical because you're a writer? And does it help your own writing?
Please share your thoughts in the comments below (but please, no spoilers on the plot in case people want to read it).
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1 2 3 4 Next »I've just had a similar experience. Yesterday I finished reading a book by a writer I usually enjoy, but I was disappointed with how she handled her ending.
But as a writer, I immediately started thinking about WHY it didn't work, exactly what I didn't find satisfying about it, and how I could avoid doing those things in my own writing.
So yes, I believe that I do think more critically - in the sense of being analytical - because I'm a writer. And I certainly hope that it helps my own writing! :D
I agree with you Joanna that “As authors, it’s important that we love what we write and don’t box ourselves into a genre that becomes a burden.” Very interesting article. Thanks for sharing. I’ve shared a link on my blog. You’re welcome to visit http://www.angelsefer.blogspot.com
Very nicely put, Joanna! I haven't read this one yet, but I do agree with you -- you can always tell when someone stopped having fun writing what they were writing.
I know I get caught up writing a scene sometimes that I "think" the reader needs but is horribly boring, and later I realize there really was only like two sentences the reader actually needed. So, I cut the scene and stick those tidbits in somewhere else.
Love this post! Will share everywhere!
I have enjoyed the previous Dan Brown novels, but I think you've missed a key point here. The publisher has put a lot of money into marketing these books, as well as for advertising. These are not really things the author has done, but his publisher.
However, a major misstep on the part of the publisher is charging $15 for the e-book - many fans of the series are complaining about this.
Hi Robin - I think that comes under Brown being trapped in the expectations of what has gone before. He's basically contracted to produce the same stuff over and over again, because the first couple did so well. His publisher put so much into the marketing because of those contractuals and to justify all that money upfront ... so it is a vicious circle.
BUT the author has to be the one to sign the contract and agree to write the same thing again.
I think Stephen King has got it right - deliver to a genre expectation but really play around with story so much more.
"As a reader, I don’t want to be jolted from the fictive dream."
a) Exactly
b) "Fictive dream"? I love that term. Hadn't heard it before. Thanks.
I haven't read Inferno, and don't plan on it any time soon. No strong feelings for or against Mr. Brown's writing and there are a pile of good indie books waiting for me to read them.
Thanks Tony :) I think that indies have a lot more freedom to write outside the boundaries of any expectation and that's what makes so many of them good.
I can't remember where I heard fictive dream - I should probably credit someone important with the term as I certainly didn't make it up :)
This was a great post. Many of my favorite authors have occasionally disappointed me, and it's great to be able to learn from their mistakes. A new idea for me, because I am just about halfway through the first draft of my first novel.
Question: Where do you find your beta readers? I'd dearly love some feedback without spending a fortune on it...
Hi Leslie - on beta readers, try your local, in-person writing group - or start one of your own through MeetUp.com or join a group like the Alliance of Independent Authors and find friends in the genre http://allianceindependentauthors.org/a/88
Or just use readers of the genre the first time around and then over time, you will develop a circle of writing friends. More on that here: http://www.thecreativepenn.com/2012/12/07/after-first-draft-whats-next/
Joanna
Good learnings.
A further learning you can take was suggested by Randy Ingermannson (sp? - the advanced fiction writing for dummier/ snowflake and advanced fictionwriting blog).
On his website he has an old issue of his monthly magazine which is called something like 'Learning From The Masters.' What he does is take short excerpts from writers like Dan Brown, deconstruct them for MRUs (Motivation Reaction Units), and sometimes rewrite them.
One of his examples was from The Da Vinci Code...was interesting. (The example from Timeline by Michael Crichton was outstanding). Definitely a series of articles worth reading. If you need some links dropping I can do that...just let me know.
Thanks JJ - you are the king of finding stuff like that :)
I don't read Dan Brown, but I've run into similar instances with other authors I admire. Even though I may not have loved a specific title they wrote, it didn't stop me from buying their next book.
Established authors tend to get that free pass, but newbies, not so much.
My fear of involving religion is the generic on what to write. Is writing CATHOLIC CHURCH even acceptable? Or making up a Catholic priest name or a Catholic Church name. I wrote the Vatican for guidance, but I was still in doubt on what to actually write. I grew up a baptized Roman Catholic and enjoy the movies. I assume that they were given permission or connected to the Vatican somehow to get press. Eastern Europe mixed in after the Cold War with a movie of the underground church wanting the first Polish priest against Communism. It is up in the air whether to involve the actual Catholic Church in my writings.
Daniel - there are no rules in fiction! You can make stuff up and use established world society as your world, or make up a world. You only need permission or risk libel charges if you claim it as truth (which Dan Brown actually did for some things in the beginning of Da Vinci code).
There are some sensible things to avoid though - as Salman Rushdie learned ...
There is a great history of using religion in writing - go forth and do it!
No rules to writing fiction? It is still a tightrope to me with no net at the bottom. I cannot fly like superman. Creating a world is more what I like doing. But thank you for the encouragement to venture into the unknown.
Thank YOU so much for writing this. I am an author an have published 3 non-fiction books in the traditional way. Although I am proud of this, my dream/passion/yearning is to write a fiction book. Now that I am boxed into this non-fiction arena I have been too anxious to go ahead and write my passion. Because of your posts that I happily read as soon as they arrive in my inbox, however, I am going for it! I am sure I will not have much support from those around me, but I will look forward to your posts and use those to boost my courage!
Thank you!
Hi Erin - I moved from non-fiction to fiction so you can definitely do it :) Here's the journey of my first novel so you can see how it all went http://www.thecreativepenn.com/firstnovel/
I learned a LOT from that experience :)
Thank you!!! You are great!!