What Makes a Bestseller?

[Aurora Black]

Earlier tonight I saw The Da Vinci Code (without having read the book), and I was completely blown away by the plot as well as the vast amount of time, effort and research that Dan Brown must have put into writing the novel. Now, several hours later, I am sleepless and excited. The movie has affected me very deeply; not just because I enjoyed it, but because watching it on screen has strengthened my resolve to write a bestseller of my own. I want it more than anything.

My novel is in its infancy, and I have recently begun reading books that discuss the craft as well as how the industry works (King's On Writing, Maass's Writing the Breakout Novel). From these titles, I have gleaned ideas on what it takes to write a novel that gets noticed by the big publishing houses.

I'm starting this thread because I am curious to learn what the rest of you think makes a bestseller. I respect many of the AH writers who have more experience with the writing process than I, and your insight means a lot to me. Anything you add to the discussion, I believe, would be a boon to myself and others who are taking this first step into unknown territory. Thank you in advance.

 

[arienette]

Earlier tonight I saw The Da Vinci Code (without having read the book), and I was completely blown away by the plot as well as the vast amount of time, effort and research that Dan Brown must have put into writing the novel. Now, several hours later, I am sleepless and excited. The movie has affected me very deeply; not just because I enjoyed it, but because watching it on screen has strengthened my resolve to write a bestseller of my own. I want it more than anything.

My novel is in its infancy, and I have recently begun reading books that discuss the craft as well as how the industry works (King's On Writing, Maass's Writing the Breakout Novel). From these titles, I have gleaned ideas on what it takes to write a novel that gets noticed by the big publishing houses.

I'm starting this thread because I am curious to learn what the rest of you think makes a bestseller. I respect many of the AH writers who have more experience with the writing process than I, and your insight means a lot to me. Anything you add to the discussion, I believe, would be a boon to myself and others who are taking this first step into unknown territory. Thank you in advance.

You're supposed to be sleeping. Tsk tsk.
Oh yeah, first response and it's a thread jack.

 

[Aurora Black]

You're supposed to be sleeping. Tsk tsk.
Oh yeah, first response and it's a thread jack.

Anything to add, though?

 

[arienette]

Anything to add, though?

Umm...You were supposed to be sleeping over an hour ago, but that's it.

 

[Aurora Black]

Umm...You were supposed to be sleeping over an hour ago, but that's it.

Okay, I'm going.

*threadjack over*

 

[Guest]

I have recently joined the Romance Writers of America.... I wanted to join the Sci Fi writers as well but you have to be published to belong to that one...

I have learned alot in my short time there and I think that the information that they provide is invaluable... I would honestly think of joining it.

 

[arienette]

Okay, I'm going.

*threadjack over*

Good girl.

 

[Xelebes]

Da Vinci's code apparently required only moderate amounts of research. Pretty much everything else is embellishment.

 

[Aurora Black]

Da Vinci's code apparently required only moderate amounts of research. Pretty much everything else is embellishment.

Opinion noted, but what are your views on bestsellers in general? What makes them stand out from the rest and go on to generate millions of dollars in sales?

Lizzy, I tried to look into the RWA but the link to the application didn't work for some reason. I'll try again another time.

 

[arienette]

Opinion noted, but what are your views on bestsellers in general? What makes them stand out from the rest and go on to generate millions of dollars in sales?

Lizzy, I tried to look into the RWA but the link to the application didn't work for some reason. I'll try again another time.

Ahem.

 

[AngeloMichael]

Are you asking what makes a bestseller or a good book? Because while the two can overlap, I think the two are very distinct questions.

Word of mouth is the best way to have a bestseller. Get people talking about a book, and sales skyrocket. Especially if you have some high profile mouths spreading the word. All Oprah has to do is mention a book and it goes on the bestseller lists.

Some authors do get on bestseller lists by writing good works but once they have a dedicated readership, they can write pretty much any mediocre drivel and it will be a bestsellet. Stephen King is a good example of this.

Finding the right audience to speak to is another way. J.K. Rowling found her niche. She wasn't the first to write fantasy stories for kids, she had some unique elements but not that much, but what she did was write to them and not down to them and the kids picked up on that. She treated them with respect that they could handle serious matters and didn't put a happy sugar coated spin on it all. Kids went crazy over it and its popularity spread, so much so that adults got into it, and we get a veritable phenomena.

Some authors have a hook. Chris Paolini was 17 when he published Eragon and that piece of crap book soared up the lists because everyone wanted to see what this "amazing" kid wrote. Now they are even making a freaking movie out of it.

Hype is a very powerful tool. The Da Vinci Code isn't anything special. All of Dan Brown's books are typical whodunnits, which are interesting to read, though not necessarily believable, but because of the hype this book has received people who aren't really avid readers are picking it up. If no one has read this kind of book before then they will indeed think it's special.

So, if you want a bestseller, get people talking about the book. Use the internet, readers groups, or find some celebrity to talk about it. Or write a damn good book. It will take longer that way but if it's a good book you will get devoted readers and critical acclaim and eventually it will show in the lists. Tolkien published LOTR in the late 40's or early 50's. He put ten years of his life into that work, building the world, developing the launguage and so forth. No one bought it. At least not at first. It wasn't until the 60's when people were hungry for that type of fantasy that the greatness of the work was truly acknowledged. The book exploded in popualarity with the underground culture. Today its the highest selling fantasy series and part of everyday pop culture.

 

[Liar]

Da Vinci's code apparently required only moderate amounts of research. Pretty much everything else is embellishment.

Opinion noted, but what are your views on bestsellers in general? What makes them stand out from the rest and go on to generate millions of dollars in sales?.

Chance, and moderation.

Most bestselling books I've read have been just about good enough to enjoy, but not much more. A little bit of controversy to tickle the imagination, but not enough to challenge your world view. A little bit of excitement, but no real nail-biting. A bit more character depth than a cardboaqrd, but still fairly cliché and predictable people. Some plot twists that are amusingly fresh, but none that makes you go "whoa!". The da Vinci Code fits these criteria perfectly. It's a pleasant read, but it's niether a masterpiece in storytelling nor a controversial piece of research (You mentioned Gabriel Knight: Blood of the Sacred, Blood of the Damned in another thread. Isn't that piggybacking on exactly the same myths?).

Chance plays a big part too. I've read many books that met all the criteria, but that just didn't happen to trigger the snowball effect. Brown and for instance Rowling, both happened to time their efforts just right, and got the ball rolling, and it just happened that no obstacles were in the way that day.

 

[AsylumSeeker]

[

QUOTE=Aurora Black]Earlier tonight I saw The Da Vinci Code (without having read the book), and I was completely blown away by the plot as well as the vast amount of time, effort and research that Dan Brown must have put into writing the novel. Now, several hours later, I am sleepless and excited. The movie has affected me very deeply; not just because I enjoyed it, but because watching it on screen has strengthened my resolve to write a bestseller of my own. I want it more than anything.

My novel is in its infancy, and I have recently begun reading books that discuss the craft as well as how the industry works (King's On Writing, Maass's Writing the Breakout Novel). From these titles, I have gleaned ideas on what it takes to write a novel that gets noticed by the big publishing houses.

I'm starting this thread because I am curious to learn what the rest of you think makes a bestseller. I respect many of the AH writers who have more experience with the writing process than I, and your insight means a lot to me. Anything you add to the discussion, I believe, would be a boon to myself and others who are taking this first step into unknown territory. Thank you in advance.[/QUOTE]

 

[vampiredust]

The Da Vinci Code was a bestseller not because of its story (it isn't exactly a classic and his style is cack) but because of the controversy surrounding it. Controversy sells. Period.

 

[Liar]

The Da Vinci Code was a bestseller not because of its story (it isn't exactly a classic and his style is cack) but because of the controversy surrounding it. Controversy sells. Period.

Then why didn't the prior attempts to write about this myth sell in the millions (like the guys who sued Brown)? Because this was the same thing all over again, but wrapped in entertainment of the bestselling (easily chewed) variety.

 

[efevece]

bestseller

As AngeloMichel said:

"Or write a damn good book. It will take longer that way but if it's a good book you will get devoted readers and critical acclaim and eventually it will show in the lists."

If, one day, I happen to learn how to write, this is the road I will follow.

I prefer to be known as somebody that had something to say than someone that JUST made a lot of money. Alas: Lot of money? Writing?

 

[Joe Wordsworth]

Reliably?

A best seller happens when someone writes a good book. A good book is composed of entertaining, relavent, and well-formed story.

 

[rgraham666]

I'm not concerned with writing a bestseller.

I'll tell the stories I want and if enough people like it, I might make a nice living at it.

Anything beyond that is gravy.

 

[Aurora Black]

Okay, so far we've established that the formula for a bestseller consists of controversy, a good (but not necessarily spectacular) plot, the target audience and luck.

In your opinion, what makes a good book?

To me, the characters are the most essential part because they are the ones that the audience will get to know while reading the book, the ones with whom the readers will take the journey. If one doesn't like the novel's protagonists (or love to hate them if they're villains), why read/buy the book in the first place?

Joe, I saw your answer and I agree that the story has to grab and hold the reader's attention throughout the book. Revelance to what, exactly? Plot?

Liar, Jane Jensen used the book Holy Blood, Holy Grail while making GK3 (For those who don't know what I'm referring to, Gabriel Knight is a series of computer games & novels dealing with the supernatural), and while I was watching the Da Vinci movie I was stunned by how much piggybacking had occurred. There's no way to tell which plot came out first, Brown's book or Jensen's game, but I'm sure Holy Blood, Holy Grail beat them both. It was published in 1983.

 

[AngeloMichael]

Okay, so far we've established that the formula for a bestseller consists of controversy, a good (but not necessarily spectacular) plot, the target audience and luck.

In your opinion, what makes a good book?

To me, the characters are the most essential part because they are the ones that the audience will get to know while reading the book, the ones with whom the readers will take the journey. If one doesn't like the novel's protagonists (or love to hate them if they're villains), why read/buy the book in the first place?

Joe, I saw your answer and I agree that the story has to grab and hold the reader's attention throughout the book. Revelance to what, exactly? Plot?

Liar, Jane Jensen used the book Holy Blood, Holy Grail while making GK3 (For those who don't know what I'm referring to, Gabriel Knight is a series of computer games & novels dealing with the supernatural), and while I was watching the Da Vinci movie I was stunned by how much piggybacking had occurred. There's no way to tell which plot came out first, Brown's book or Jensen's game, but I'm sure Holy Blood, Holy Grail beat them both. It was published in 1983.

I agree, characters are the most important part for me when it comes to enjoying a book. If the author does a good enough job, I don't even have to relate to them, just find them interesting.

This is proven true in Bakker's Prince of Nothing series. I find just about every character contemptible to some degree, yet I love the story. Why? Each character is extremely interesting and even though at times I am taken aback with disgust or even horror at their actions, I HAVE to keep reading to see how it all ends. Also the relationships of the characters and how they interact (what happens when the irresitable force meets the immovable object) is just too good not to love. Also, Bakker's prose is incredibly beautiful and never makes me feel like I'm wading through a mire to get somewhere good. Lastly, it is a very interesting tale that takes a familiar concept and does something new with it.

Newness, that's another thing that can make a book good. If the reader hasn't read this type of story before they are much less likely to toss it as the same old crap.

 

[Liar]

Reliably?

A best seller happens when someone writes a good book. A good book is composed of entertaining, relavent, and well-formed story.

Well, people occacionally write good books without even getting them published. So, there's more to it than that.

 

[AngeloMichael]

Reliably?

A best seller happens when someone writes a good book. A good book is composed of entertaining, relavent, and well-formed story.

I'd really like you to read Eragon or anything by Terry Goodkind and restate that opinion.

 

[Joe Wordsworth]

Joe, I saw your answer and I agree that the story has to grab and hold the reader's attention throughout the book. Revelance to what, exactly? Plot?

Relavent to the reader.

 

[Joe Wordsworth]

I'd really like you to read Eragon or anything by Terry Goodkind and restate that opinion.

I said "reliably", not "always". My girl read that book, and she said it was exactly the sort of book that gives fantasy dorks a bad name. I said "Then, it is the standard by which I will judge you all".

 

[Liar]

In your opinion, what makes a good book?

1. A solid emotional connection to the protagonist(s).
2. A violation of my expectations. It has to go places and make conclusions I did not anticipate. And it has to present them convincingly, so that I can adapt myself to those new ideas.
3. A good pace. Enough excitement peaks and valleys to keep it interresting.
4. Good craftmanship in narration, dialouge and style.

Liar, Jane Jensen used the book Holy Blood, Holy Grail while making GK3 (For those who don't know what I'm referring to, Gabriel Knight is a series of computer games & novels dealing with the supernatural), and while I was watching the Da Vinci movie I was stunned by how much piggybacking had occurred. There's no way to tell which plot came out first, Brown's book or Jensen's game, but I'm sure Holy Blood, Holy Grail beat them both. It was published in 1983.

I could look up the publish dates, but I'm pretty sure Jensen's game beat Brown's book with a few years. -97 or 98, I think. Not that I think it matters much, they both probably drew material from the same sources (like Holy Blood, Holy Grail), and added their own weird-ish speculations to that. The conclusion of the game was pretty unexpected, at least to me.