Hey Riddle Riddle: Patreon Preview #312 - "Steel Yourself"
Release Date: February 28, 2025
Introduction to the Episode
In the Patreon Preview episode titled "Steel Yourself," the Hey Riddle Riddle team delves into a fascinating discussion about the enigmatic author Danielle Steele. Hosted by Adal Rifai, Erin Keif, and John Patrick Coan, the trio explores their perceptions, misconceptions, and the sheer magnitude of Steele's literary career. This summary captures the essence of their engaging conversation, highlighting key points, notable quotes, and the underlying skepticism about Steele's prolific output.
Understanding Danielle Steele and Her Genre
The episode kicks off with Alex posing a question to Brandon and Casey about their familiarity with Danielle Steele. Alex asks, “What is your relationship to the author and their work? Danielle Steele? Do you know, when I say Danielle Steele, do you know who that is?” (00:02).
Brandon immediately categorizes Steele as an author of "mass market paperback romance novels" (00:13), while Casey adds, “I think of like airport books. I've never. I wouldn't be able to tell you a title or style or anything...” (00:17). This sets the stage for a broader discussion on Steele's influence in the romance genre.
Alex acknowledges her own unfamiliarity with Steele’s works but expresses intrigue: “I have also never read a Danielle Steele book. But I think that Danielle Steele is like a…” (00:27). She contrasts Steele’s work with modern "smut" genres, emphasizing that Steele’s novels often transcend simple romance, venturing into contemporary fiction with emotional depth: “...some of her stuff is like sad or like has like there's like real struggle to it which is not the same as like romance” (01:00).
Debunking Misconceptions About the Romance Genre
The hosts navigate the loaded perceptions surrounding the romance genre. Alex remarks on the modern connotations of romance, referencing popular culture: “I feel like nowadays when you say romance, it's kind of loaded and people think like, you know, quivering member and other things that I remember from 10 Things I Hate about you” (01:36). This leads to a humorous interlude where Casey jokes about sexual references, lightening the conversation.
Casey and Brandon further discuss their superficial understanding of certain cultural icons, with Brandon reflecting on cowboy culture: “...I'm like, yee haw. And cowboy hats and lassos. That's the cowboy. That's the extent, the full breadth of, of what a cowboy is” (02:44). This analogy underscores a recurring theme in their conversation—appreciating the surface appeal of a subject without delving deeper.
Danielle Steele’s Prolific Career and Personal Life
The conversation shifts to the staggering accomplishments of Danielle Steele. Alex shares surprising facts about Steele: “She's currently 77 years old.” (04:08), prompting Casey’s astonished reaction: “I was just about to ask. 77.” (04:09).
They delve deeper into Steele's personal life and writing career:
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Marital History: Alex reveals Steele's tumultuous personal life: “She has been married and divorced, I think six times.” (04:14), followed by humorous banter about the logistics of multiple marriages.
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Literary Output: The hosts express disbelief at Steele’s productivity: “...she wrote three books a year.” (05:01), and later, “seven books every year for like over a decade” (05:29). Alex highlights Steele’s impressive bibliography, noting she has “written 190 books, including over 140 novels and she's sold 800 million copies” (04:22).
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Writing Process: Discussions about Steele’s alleged writing regimen include her use of typewriters and 22-hour workdays: “she writes all of her books on typewriter... she routinely puts in like 22 hour days writing” (06:09). This revelation sparks skepticism among the hosts regarding the feasibility of such an output without assistance.
Skepticism and Speculation: Ghostwriters?
The hosts express skepticism about the authenticity of Steele’s claims. Alex speculates, “There's also a lot of speculation that she's absolutely full of shit and that she has ghostwriters that she just doesn't want to claim” (06:41). This sentiment is echoed by Brandon, who humorously questions the practicality of writing 22 hours a day: “...if I told you I was writing 22 hours a day, that leaves two hours where I'm not writing” (07:03).
The conversation humorously highlights the impracticality of Steele’s reported writing habits, with playful remarks about the lack of basic necessities during such intense work periods: “You can't do that while you're writing” (07:28) and a nod to the absence of commas in a sentence as a joke about their riddle-solving nature: “Hey, hey, dbz. No commas.” (07:36).
Final Thoughts and Reflections
The episode concludes with the hosts pondering the balance between fascination and skepticism. While Alex remains intrigued by Steele’s extraordinary career, Casey and Brandon maintain a lighthearted yet questioning stance on the plausibility of her achievements without external support. The discussion leaves listeners contemplating the realities behind literary success and the often-hidden mechanisms that drive prolific authors.
Notable Quotes
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Alex: “I have also never read a Daniel Steele book, but I think that Danielle Steele is like a. It's so interesting because I think the romance genre. Danielle Steele has been as prolific she's been writing.” (00:27)
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Brandon: “I think it's Stephen King of smut.” (00:49)
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Alex: “Do you feel that way about anything?” (02:25)
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Casey: “I feel that way a little bit about how food gets made and where it comes from.” (03:25)
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Brandon: “That's to me, more than double.” (07:03)
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Alex: “One, two, three, four. Hate riddle. Riddles Clue Crew Listen to the rest of the episode now by starting your free 7 day trial at patreon.com heyriddle riddle.” (07:44)
Conclusion
In "Steel Yourself," Hey Riddle Riddle offers an entertaining and thought-provoking exploration of Danielle Steele's literary empire. Through candid conversations and humorous exchanges, the hosts navigate their limited knowledge and burgeoning curiosity about Steele’s work and life. The episode serves as both an informative piece for those unfamiliar with Steele and a playful critique of the myths surrounding prolific authorship.
Interested in more insightful discussions and bonus content? Join the Clue Crew for weekly episodes at Patreon.com/heyriddleriddle.
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