Ingredients in a Bestseller
In 2002, obscure wife and government secretary, Julie Powell, hungry for satisfaction in her life, cooked 524 recipes from Julia Child’s Master the Art of French Cooking in 365 days – and wrote a blog about it along the way. That same year I moved across the country from NYC to the West Coast with my husband and two young children also desiring greater fulfillment and purpose. That’s where our similarities stop. Well, and we share the same first name and both enjoy writing. Julie Powell’s pursuit ended in a loyal following of bleaders, notoriety from top-notch publicity, and a national best-seller she penned based on her experience, which became a major motion picture starring Meryl Streep and Amy Adams opening to favorable reviews last weekend. How is it that one woman living in Long Island City, NY, on a desperate search for happiness, could end up with such profound success?
Julie and Julia is a sensation for many reasons. Julie Powell had a novel idea that was relevant. Her premise was fresh, inspiring, and one the vast majority of humans can relate to (wanting better significance in their lives). Her subject was also very dear to her heart; Julie Powell adored Julia Child and liked cooking. She was extremely candid in her experience, to the point of blushing embarrassment at times, with her personal life and with her culinary experiment. This kept it real. She welcomes you in offering a very personal first-hand account. I believe that people relate to genuineness more than to perfectionism (there is a lesson to be learned here). And to top it off, Julie Powell is a talented writer. I have to insert a disclaimer here: I wasn’t a fan of the book Julie and Julia. On an individual level, Julie Powell stands for everything that I’m not: she’s a liberal, democrat who uses the F word WAY too much (of course, she already knows this about herself) but with that said, even I have to acknowledge that she is a gifted writer. Her intricate descriptions, piquant sense of humor, and surprising insights make an interesting read.
Not everyone is called to author a bestseller. Should you choose however to try, please don’t simply (or always) transcribe a message from a sermon series that screams “canned”. Originality and authenticity count. And if you can throw in a few of the other ingredients listed, it may perhaps help.
