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We debut authors are all swimming against a rapid current of established authors and an obstacle course of marketing hurdles. Our novels thrust against the rocks and jump from torrid water filled with other titles hoping to be seen. The question is how do you get to the calm pools of a large readership without being buried in the sand first. E.L. James did it.
As with any book, you’ll see the good, the bad and the ugly reviews, but “Fifty Shades” took off probably because of all three. I read it, as did about fifteen million other people, probably more with share-zee’s. After closing the back cover on a book, you become an instant critic. Word of mouth—good or bad becomes a marketing tool.
Leaping from the starting gate of “Fifty Shades” most people can see what’s wrong with the book, so let’s not dwell on editing and some of the golden rules about writing. Instead, lets dwell on plot, characterization and golden nuggets: words that form a sentence that sticks whether it’s witty, misshapen or sublime.
I just loved how E.L. James split Ana’s thoughts into two breathing characters: her inner goddess in the heated moments, and the admonishing fifth grade-tight-bunned-half-moon spectacle-wearing subconscious. The best one-liners in this story come from these two entities, and they are hilarious.
Using many precious pages of space to send emails back and forth 
between the two characters, again an intriguing modern idea, brought interesting dialogue. But what really attracts people to this story? If we cover the principles of a good romance, do we have hurdles to overcome? Whoa – Mount Everest sized I’d say. Do we end up praying that the characters overcome these hurdles? Most definitely. I started grumbling to myself somewhere in book two, hoping to God this would end with an HEA (Happily Ever After). What are the dark moments in the story that push the reader along? Far, far too many to mention. Is there tension? Sure is. Does the story have an angle that most don’t? Well I’ve read plenty, and like any good plot E.L. James took the topic of BDSM and turned it into a catalyst in which the characters swirl around instead of making it the viewpoint. Most importantly, the reader has to understand they are in a twenty-one year old mind. Which often times, is “drama queen” personified. At that age, a woman’s emotions haven’t jelled into callus’ from the hard knocks of a lifetime.
So what made “Fifty Shades” a national success even though the editing could have turned this into a ‘for-all-times’ bestseller? It’s called formula. The tortured dark soul of the hero being healed by the heroine. We just can’t get enough, and “Fifty Shades” provided that struggle in spades.
To categorize these novels I’d call it a “psychological romance” (My term.) The mind is conne
cted to the heart, but when the author can disconnect the mind and entice the heart of the reader to run free, you’ve got yourself a success. Anyone who has a Bachelors of English degree will roll their eyes at the writing in this book, but this type of story isn’t about whether E.L. James could write perfect literary prose. She wanted to tell a story of two evolving characters and how innocence and love can heal the deeply scarred. Simple as that. Those who can ignore the editing faux pas and enjoy the ride will vibrate with the books resonance for days.
Of course, Hollywood has glommed onto it, and bought the movie rights. The characters are so important that using known actors will ruin the story. There’s even blogs fighting over who Christian Grey should be. This tells me right away that picking an “A” list actor will make some happy and piss off many. That would be a crucial mistake. These actors will need to be new and unknown to put everyone at the starting gate. They’ll have to be very talented to give the same deep, dark journey the book elicited. Good luck on that one!
I hope E.L. writes the stories of Mia and Elliot. With a ‘fang-snapping’ editor, E.L. will soar with the eagles, and people will fall back into their favorite chairs, wallowing in the warm fuzzy feeling of reading characters they know and love.
Should you read “Fifty Shades”? Only if you want to champion an often times mercurial, sometimes dark—love story.
Laters Baby!
Natasza
