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← Back to IdeasHungry Dogs Run Faster: A Storytelling Masterclass with James Patterson
Long before he became the world’s top bestselling author, James Patterson gained a bit of wisdom from his grandmother, who told him, “Hungry dogs run faster.” It’s that ethos that has, in part, propelled him to his unmatchable career as an author, with numerous books across multiple genres becoming bestsellers and having been adapted into hit films and TV series.
The advice from Patterson’s grandmother echoes David Ogilvy’s belief in “divine discontent,” so it was only appropriate that Patterson was the guest of honor at Ogilvy’s session at the 2024 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. And the connection goes even deeper—leading Patterson’s masterclass on storytelling was Liz Taylor, Ogilvy’s Global Chief Creative Officer, who got her start in advertising at J. Walter Thompson under then-CEO…James Patterson.
"I'm here to prove there's life after advertising," Patterson joked early in the conversation, which quickly delved into the heart of Patterson's creative process, revealing a disciplined approach that prioritizes clarity, pace, and audience connection. Outlining, he emphasized, is crucial, even if his outlines tend to be 70-80 pages long.
Perhaps no other author has enjoyed as much success with high-profile collaborations than Patterson. It’s a hallmark of his career, with experiences working with high-profile figures like President Bill Clinton and Dolly Parton on novels. He emphasized the importance of finding collaborators who bring authenticity and unique perspectives to the table. Good collaborators need to be able to see work in its early stages and envision where it’s going, Patterson noted. And on the importance of good collaboration, Patterson went even further, stating, “If we’re ever going to save the planet, it’s going be because of good collaboration.”
As all businesses today are under the threat of massive disruption, Patterson talked about his own disruptive approach, both in his writing career and his time in advertising. He recalled his unconventional recruitment strategy at J. Walter Thompson, where a creative test published in the New York Times yielded a pool of talented individuals who went on to achieve great success.
"If you have people that can solve problems and write pretty well, they're probably going to work out pretty well," he said.
As the session drew to a close, Taylor asked Patterson for his advice to the audience. He emphasized the importance of open-mindedness, particularly in collaborative settings.
"Open your minds up," he urged. "Eventually you may have to get practical about it, but in the beginning, it just needs to be open."