Crime writer James Patterson is the world’s best paid author according to Forbes magazine. Creator the Detective Alex Cross and the Women’s Murder Club, Patterson earned a mind-blowing £50.9 million last year ($84 million). Second placed writer was romance queen Danielle Steel who looks like a pauper in comparison, having earned a paltry £21 million. Other familiar names on the list include Stephen King, John Grisham and Stephanie Meyer, creator of the Twilight series. I think I’m going to get into this writing lark. £50 million a year sounds like a nice little earner – just about enough to keep up with my movie and book habit…