|
How Da Vinci author does it...
13/03/2006 18:35 - (SA)
London - Aspiring writers could do worse than leaf through the witness statement of author Dan Brown, whose book The Da Vinci Code has become one of the best-selling novels of all time.
Judging by the document, released during a copyright trial in which he is accused of plagiarising the work of two historians, a strict exercise regime and an ambitious, hard-working wife appear to be key ingredients to literary fame.
A willingness to work in uncomfortable places is also a plus.
Brown wrote the main outline for The Da Vinci Code, which has sold an estimated 40 million copies worldwide, in his parents' laundry room.
"I remember writing the expanded outline for The Da Vinci Code inside this tiny laundry room, sitting on a garden chair set up at a makeshift desk made out of an ironing board," he said in a statement.
Brown was in the witness stand on Monday, and the cross-examination by lawyer Jonathan Rayner James was almost as much about the role of Brown's wife, Blythe, in the process of writing The Da Vinci Code as it was about his own input.
Wife played critical role
From the 69-page witness statement, it also becomes clear that she played a crucial role in the 41-year-old author's success.
He was ranked No 6 in Forbes' list of wealthy celebrities in 2005 in terms of earnings, with income of $77m (about R480m).
Early on, we learn how Blythe, who helped him research The Da Vinci Code and other novels, set her husband on the road to stardom.
He was offered $12 500 (about R78 000) for the manuscript of an earlier novel, Angels and Demons, but when the print run was cut from a planned 60 000 to just 12 000, Brown said he and his wife were "heartbroken".
"This was not an easy time financially," he adds.
Blythe was instrumental in researching The Da Vinci Code and shared Brown's fascination with the church's suppression of the sacred feminine.
"She also lobbied hard for me to find a way to use a theory which concerned the legend of the Holy Grail - the so-called 'bloodline theory'."
Opened some church closets
Brown, who is described as a committed Christian, attended church camp and tussled from an early age with reconciling science and religion.
Seeking to explain why Angels and Demons and The Da Vinci Code raised eyebrows when published, he said "both books opened some church closets most people don't even know existed."
The Da Vinci Code explores the idea that Jesus married Mary Magdalene, that she bore his child after escaping to France after the crucifixion, and that the bloodline survives, protected by a secret organisation. The book has infuriated many Catholic leaders.
But, there may be another secret to the "Holy Grail" of successful writing; rigorous exercise.
Brown gets up every day about 04:00.
"In addition to starting early, I keep an antique hour glass on my desk and, every hour, break briefly to do push-ups, sit-ups and some quick stretches," he says.
"I find this helps keep the blood (and ideas) flowing."
- Reuters
|
South Africa
