I'm big on having a blistering pace. That's one of the hallmarks of what I do, and that's not easy. I never blow up cars and things like that, so it's something else that keeps the suspense flowing. I try not to write a chapter that isn't going to turn on the movie projector in your head.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes the importance of maintaining a fast pace in storytelling to keep the audience engaged.
James Patterson highlights his commitment to a rapid narrative style that creates suspense and excitement. By focusing on a blistering pace, he aims to ensure that every chapter contributes to a cinematic experience, igniting the imagination of readers and keeping them captivated from beginning to end.
In practice
In a writing workshop, I might use this quote to inspire students about the importance of pacing in their stories.
Let's face it: Most of us don't realize it, but we are failing our kids as reading role models. The best role models are in the home: brothers, fathers, grandfathers; mothers, sisters, grandmothers. Moms and dads, it's important that your kids see you reading. Not just books - reading the newspaper is good, too.
When I was 26, I wrote my first mystery, 'The Thomas Berryman Number', and it was turned down by, I don't know, 31 publishers. Then it won an Edgar for Best First Novel. Go figure.
You must think. The eye is not enough; it needs to think as well.
The crown of literature is poetry.
To me, beauty is inclusion - every size, every color - that's the world I live in.
We need a type of theatre which not only releases the feelings, insights and impulses possible within the particular historical field of human relations in which the action takes place, but employs and encourages those thoughts and feelings which help transform the field itself.
All of the significant art of today stems from Conceptual art. This includes the art of installation, political, feminist and socially directed art.
Never play anything the same way twice.
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