This will be short and sweet.
I’ve heard from a couple folks who poked some fun at Joyce Maynard’s piece about James Patterson’s MasterClass. Most of the comments ran along similar lines, using words like gullible, silly, gushing, out for a buck. . . you get the picture.
My feeling is that, first off, Joyce Maynard’s a pretty well-known author. She knows her stuff; she’s published both fiction and non-fiction; two of her books have made it to film, and one of those, To Die For, was fabulous. This writer is no slouch and so for her to talk about learning something from another, much more widely-published writer certainly made me pay attention. Let’s face it: there is no magic formula for what makes one book a best-seller; no one has all the answers; everyone can stand to learn something; and we have all been in a place where the writing has either become very hard or repetitious. We all know what it’s like to want to jack up our work to the next level or simply get that first book out.
Most writers will tell you that there is no substitute for screwing your butt to the chair and producing words. You know…discipline. Most will also acknowledge that writing has to be habitual; writing is a job, and you have to show up to work or you don’t get paid. We all understand that concept. But, sometimes, I’ll bet that even the most disciplined and successful writers need to find something new. That’s why people join critique groups or have first readers; it’s the reason folks go to conventions and listen to much more famous writers, hoping for a pearl of wisdom or two. (I went to a writers’ thing not long ago where I learned more from talking to other writers than I did from the actual presenters. Was it pricey? Sure. Do I consider it time well spent? You bet.)
So Joyce Maynard took the course. Her reasons why and her attitude are absolutely spot-on. I particularly admire her for talking about envy and the need to swallow that in the hopes that she might learn something. So, good for her. We all should be that open.
As for Patterson’s motives . . . well, why shouldn’t he make some money off his knowledge? He’s only doing what any smart businessman does: monetizes pieces of the pie. I know a lot of writers who do workshops. Some, they’re invited for and get honorariums while other people charge a fee because this is a class; they’re donating their time and expertise; they deserve to be recompensed. If you don’t think they’re knowledgeable enough..don’t take the workshop, but consider this: what would it cost to fly to a convention, cough up the bucks for room and board, pony up the cash for registration, and then mostly likely pay extra to take the same three-hour workshop? Right, a ton. So what Patterson’s offering is a much more cost-effective way of potentially gathering pearls while also allowing anyone who cares to take the course to tailor it to their schedule, etc.
Don’t read this as endorsement of Patterson’s MasterClass. What I endorse is learning from other, more experienced writers. This is only one way people can do that. There are others.
Just . . . don’t snipe because another writer chooses a path you might not. Whatever works, you know?
