Remember when I mentioned I had interviewed James Patterson for the cover story of the March/April issue of Writer’s Digest? The article is now available online. A lovely surprise in my inbox today, so I’m sharing it with you.
We did this interview over the phone, but Jim and I have done a number of interviews in person over the years. One of my favorites was in 2001 for his book 1st to Die. It was his first book about the Women’s Murder Club. We were at UCLA for the LA Times Festival of Books.
When I first arrived, I walked through the authors’ green room, tables piled high with fresh fruit and other food. I heard my name being called, and there, sitting nearby, was James Patterson. I have to say, he looked so cute, tucked in a chair, almost anonymously. We chatted for awhile, then I, feeling shy, promised we’d talk later, and I moved on.
Later, apart from all the others, with my tape recorder out, we talked about his concept for the book. All these women! I remember complimenting him, for his facile portrayal of women. He explained that he had grown up in a house full of just women and him. He was a keen observer of human nature, even as a kid. Jim has kept that intuitive sense of women alive in his writing.
It always amazes me, what sticks, years later, after an interview.
Another moment that resonates, also happened at the Festival of Books. It was outside, and I was waiting for Jim, to gather him up for that very interview. I turned and noticed another best-selling author nearby, Body/Mind/Spirit writer Deepak Chopra. Deepak said to me that he was a huge fan of Jim’s and wanted his autograph. Another sweet moment, tucked — as you see in this photo — between two remarkable men.
Deepak Chopra, Diana Page Jordan, and James Patterson at the LA Times Festival of Books
If you would like to hear a couple of audio interviews I did with James Patterson, please enjoy:
(a quick minute about the book, for my Between The Lines daily feature for the Associated Press Radio Network)
James Patterson Interview – for Barnes and Noble online
(six minutes spanning the book, James’ childhood in a house full of women, his earlier career in advertising, and more.)
Thanks for listening!
