Fame: It’s just a three-part formula

So, I was watching the 11 p.m. news on Tuesday. And among the murders , fires, car smashings, abductions and other pleasant visions of life in the 21st century – all brought to me by smiling newscasters during the first 11 minutes … 11 at 11, get it? – I began thinking of a book that crossed my desk the other day. The title: “Soul Surfer.”

And, not for the first time, I figured out what it takes to be famous. One, it helps to be young and good looking, preferably blond and female . Two, you need to have suffered some sort of unexpected, and seemingly undeserved, traumatic injury . Three, you need to be pleasant about what’s happened and be willing to give everyone inspiration because of how well you’ve handled things.

Next thing you know, every book agent in America will be fighting with Barbara Walters and Diane Sawyer and/or Katie Couric to get you on the phone. Then you’ll have a New York book deal, a Hollywood movie-of-the-week deal – both worth millions – and the attention of a grateful nation. For about, say, 15 minutes ?

Or would that be only 11?