Storytellersunplugged

by David Niall Wilson

(Don’t be surprised if there are several essays today…we lost “days” during Feb)

I’ve seen the subject of how authors get along with one another touched upon here, but recent events have caused me to believe it’s time to take it a step farther. There is a phenomenon that may, or may not be exclusive to the entertainment industry – and I include writing in this industry – that bears mention. For lack of a real name, and because it amuses me, I’m going to call it the “Wow, but what about me?” syndrome.

The perfect illustration of this took place last week when Dan Brown, author of The Da Vinci Code, went to trial in the UK, accused of lifting the research of the authors of Holy Blood, Holy Grail for his novel. The case, on the surface and beneath the surface, is ridiculous. The book in question, Holy Blood, Holy Grail, was published as non-fiction. They did documentaries, and there have been a lot of other books written by a lot of other people on the same basic subject. Their contention is that Brown stole the concept that Jesus married Mary Magdalene and moved to France, founding a bloodline that lives through until this very day, and that the Holy Grail is actually the bloodline itself. In their book they claim to have researched this theory exhaustively, and to have proven it to their own satisfaction, if not that of the world. They cite a number of sources in their bibliography.

They can’t have it both ways, obviously. Either they made the crap up, and Dan Brown stole their novel – in which case they should be the ones on trial, along with Mr. Frey, for putting forth made-up-crap as fact, or the book is fact, as far as they know and believe, and the book is a work of reference – one of many that could be used, according to their own theory, to prove the concept behind their research. If this latter is the case, how can they sue someone for using historical fact as the basis for a novel, just because they are the first to bring the particular fact in question to public knowledge? Couldn’t Brown have read all the works in their bibliography as well as their own book, or even instead of it, and come to the same conclusions they did?

I confess, I’m in big trouble if Brown loses the case – most of The Grails Covenant Trilogy is based on what I read in that very book, Holy Blood, Holy Grail. But I digress. I also want to point out, up front, that I have been as guilty of this syndrome as anyone – I’m trying to change.

“Wow, but what about me?” Syndrome is where someone sees the success of another, and can’t even finish their congratulations before they try to figure out how this success on the part of someone else can be warped into their own success. I want to point out, up front, that I have been as guilty of this syndrome as anyone – I’m trying to change. Examples?

Writer: “My agent just sold my novel to NYC.”
WBWAM Sufferer: “Wow, who is your editor? Can you mention me?”

Writer: “I sold a story to so-and-so for his “Brainfarts” anthology.”
WBWAM Sufferer: “Wow, how much does it pay? Are they open for submissions?”

Writer: “I sold my vampire novel.”
WBWAM Sufferer: “Wow, what kind of vampire book? Who bought it? Are they looking for more?”

Writer: “I got picked up to write a series novel.”
WBWAM Sufferer: “Wow, can you tell me how to get in on that?”

Writer: “I signed with a new agent.”
WBWAM Sufferer: “Wow, are they looking for more clients?”

You get the idea. I have been guilty of WBWAM in the past myself, and it only occurred to me long after the fact how incredibly insensitive it can seem. When a fellow writer shares a success, or a triumph, why is it that we tend to experience almost every emotion in the world except genuine happiness for them? I’m working on this, as a personal goal. Sometimes you have to ask questions about other writers’ editors, publishers, and agents. It’s a necessary part or this business, and not the most pleasant part, but the time to ask those questions is not within thirty seconds of receiving their good news. Give them a chance to revel in the glory. Give them well-deserved props and feed their ego. I know from over two decades in this business that the world at large will offer little encouragement. As a group, though, we can be supportive, civil, and at least give the impression that we care about the careers and work of others.

The Da Vinci Code trial just drives it home for me. Instead of being satisfied that their research had spawned one of the most successful novels of modern times, and that the novel in question has driven their own sales and royalties back up through the roof, these Holy Blood, Holy Grail authors said, “Wow, how can we use that to our advantage?” They seem to have asked this of their own publisher, who is now a part of Random House, UK – who published The Da Vinci Code, as well…or maybe it was the publishers who said it. Maybe it was Authors: “Hey, we’re all making you guys a lot of money.”
WBWAM Publishers: “Wow, How can we use you to make us more?”

The point is, when you hear some good news from a friend or a fellow author, and your spider senses start tingling … just say Wow. Just say Wow, to friends, and make note of the questions and third degree to follow for a later point in time. Give that moment in the sun a chance to warm things up, and when you come back later with your questions, I bet they are well received.

See, I curbed my initial impulse to write to the authors of Holy Blood, Holy Grail and point out that I used their research too, even though if they sued me in the UK I would probably drive sales of my trilogy up. I feel so much better…

DNW