James Patterson by James Patterson: The Stories of My Life is a fascinating memoir written by a world-renowned best-selling author. I love Patterson’s informal and conversational writing style, and the many anecdotes, often amusing, he shares about his personal life.

In short chapters Patterson gives readers glimpses of a life that captures the essence of greatness, though he hadn’t a clue of that during his early years.

Patterson was raised in a Catholic blue-collar family in Newburgh, New York. He was an altar boy, and attended Catholic schools. After graduating from university he worked for a time in a psych ward, but for the majority of his “working” (that is, not writing) years he was employed by the big-time ad agency, J. Walter Thompson. For several years he started his day at 5:00 and wrote a couple of hours before going to work, but seriously doubted his ability to write fiction. After about 30 rejections, his first novel was accepted by a literary agency. Once his fiction writing was published, there was no stopping him–he had an immediate audience and the fuel he needed to continue writing one best-seller after another. He began collaborating with well-known personalities such as former President Bill Clinton (The President is Missing) and singer/actress Dolly Parton (Run Rose Run). He has written several popular mystery series as well as romance novels and stand-alone thrillers.

In his memoir, Patterson shares many of his writing habits, such as always writing an extensive outline before writing the book itself. Interestingly, Patterson writes his first draft with pencil. His memoir is written as though he’s talking to the reader. The narrative isn’t in chronological order, but is generally grouped into themes. James Patterson by James Patterson is a fun, lively read. And, no surprise, he tells a good story.