COMMENT ECRIRE UN BEST-SELLER ?

Summary

In this video, the host discusses the concept of a 'best-seller code' developed by two researchers who created an algorithm to predict if a book will become a best-seller with an 80% accuracy rate. The book 'Want Best-Seller Code' by Matthew Joker and Jody Haarscher, published by Penguin, explores themes that resonate with readers, such as human relationships and everyday life, and advises against overcomplicating narratives. It also delves into the importance of emotional engagement, suggesting that best-sellers often follow a pattern of emotional highs and lows that keep readers hooked. The video emphasizes that while these insights can inform writing, they are not a strict formula for success.

Takeaways

• 🔍 Two researchers developed an algorithm to predict if a book will become a best-seller with an 80% accuracy rate.
• 📚 The algorithm analyzed 1000 books to understand what resonates with readers, focusing on themes that are popular among best-sellers.
• 🧠 The study found that best-selling books often feature 'human clause' moments, where characters display vulnerability and emotional depth, creating a connection with readers.
• 🏡 Readers of best-sellers prefer to see characters in familiar, everyday situations, such as work and family life, which helps establish a sense of relatability.
• 🚫 Contrary to some expectations, best-sellers in the United States tend to avoid explicit content like sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll, except in specific genres.
• 📈 Successful authors often write about what they know and have a recurring theme or two that they explore in their books, which helps in creating a consistent and engaging narrative.
• 🎢 The emotional roller coaster of a book, with a balance of positive and negative emotional peaks and valleys, is a key factor in its success, as seen in best-sellers like 'Fifty Shades of Grey' and 'The Da Vinci Code'.
• ⏰ Best-selling authors are advised to capture the reader's attention within the first 40 pages, often by plunging the protagonist into an immediate challenge.
• 📊 The algorithm revealed that best-sellers often focus on a primary theme that is threatened by a secondary theme, creating a compelling conflict that drives the narrative.
• 🌐 While the study provides insights, it's important to remember that there are successful books that do not follow these patterns, emphasizing the value of diverse writing styles and narratives.

Q & A

What is the main subject discussed in the video script?

The video script discusses an algorithm created by two researchers that can determine if a book will become a best-seller or not, based on an analysis of successful books.

Who are the two researchers mentioned in the script?

The script does not explicitly mention the names of the two researchers, only referring to them as creators of the algorithm.

What is the title of the book mentioned in the script that discusses the best-seller code?

The title of the book mentioned is 'Want to Best-Seller Code' by Matthew Joker and Jody Haarscher.

What is the claim about the algorithm's reliability in predicting best-sellers?

The algorithm is claimed to be reliable at 80% in determining if a manuscript is likely to become a best-seller.

How many books did the authors test the algorithm with?

The algorithm was tested with 1000 books.

What is the 'human clause' mentioned in the script?

The 'human clause' refers to the moments in a story that connect the readers to the characters through their vulnerabilities and emotional experiences.

Why do readers of best-sellers prefer to see familiar elements in stories?

Readers of best-sellers prefer familiar elements because it creates a sense of proximity and relatability, such as the everyday life, work, and family situations of the characters.

What are the two main themes that best-selling books often focus on, according to the script?

Best-selling books often focus on two main themes: one that forms the core of the story and another that directly threatens or challenges the first theme.

What is the 'emotional roller coaster' mentioned in the script?

The 'emotional roller coaster' refers to the pattern of emotional highs and lows that a reader experiences throughout a book, which is a key factor in the success of best-sellers.

Why do some books that follow the researchers' guidelines not necessarily become best-sellers?

Books that follow the researchers' guidelines may not become best-sellers because there are other factors at play, and the guidelines are not a one-size-fits-all recipe for success.

What is the importance of capturing the reader's attention within the first 40 pages of a book?

Capturing the reader's attention within the first 40 pages is crucial because it sets the stage for the reader's engagement and determines whether they will continue reading the book.