Key ideas from Dan Brown

• The Secret of Secrets took eight years to write, exploring non-local consciousness theory through Prague's mystical setting
• Brown believes consciousness exists outside the brain, citing anomalies like sudden savant syndrome and laboratory-proven ESP
• The Da Vinci Code was banned worldwide and put Brown on trial in Vatican City for 'crimes against Jesus'
• Brown writes every day at 4 AM without checking news, finishing chapters by writing the opening paragraph of the next
• All Brown's novels compress timeframes - The Secret of Secrets occurs in 24 hours despite publisher pressure for a week
• Brown's first three novels (Digital Fortress, Angels and Demons, Deception Point) were commercial failures before The Da Vinci Code
• The Vatican's opposition to The Da Vinci Code became inadvertent publicity, with churches posting 'Don't read it' signs
• Brown practices TM meditation afternoons, not mornings, because creativity requires mental activity while meditation clears the mind