Clancy Syndrome

About 20 years ago, I discovered a fascinating new writer named Tom Clancy. His first novel, "The Hunt for Red October," was incredible. "Red Storm Rising," while a little far-fetched, was also fun to read. But as his novels about Jack Ryan progressed, I became aware of two things. First, I started encountering back pains when I read his books. And the pain seemed to get worse with every subsequent book. Second, after finishing each book, I became aware that I've spent an increasingly larger portion of my life devoted to his work and getting less out of it.

I developed the theory of the Clancy Syndrome based on this concept. It seems with commercial success, authors get more full of themselves. Since they make a boatload of money for their publishers, editors have less and less power over the text. So the books get larger and larger. And there is less "stuff" in the book that contributes substance to the narrative. Both "Debt of Honor" and "Without Remorse" could've been written in about 33-50% of it actual length and still have been good books. I think they'd have been better books.

Authors who experience sudden commercial success should be forced to read either L. Frank Baum's Oz series or Edgar Rice Burroughs' Tarzan series. Both were successful, both had many titles in the series and both kept the stories short and sweet.

I have encountered this syndrome in other writers, most notably and recently JK Rowling. If you read bestsellers, be concerned if your favorite author's books keep getting larger. Do what you can to help the author avoid the Clancy Syndrome. Write them a letter expressing your concerns and introduce them to the symptoms of the Syndrome.