Narayan Radhakrishnan's Interview with
Jeffrey Archer
Author of
False Impression

Narayan:
I had the wonderful privilege & honor to conduct this eInterview with Jeffrey Archer -- “the greatest storyteller ever”. Being an avid fan of his works & proud owner of all his Novels, Dramas, Diaries & Short stories -- it was with great happiness (& a little trepidation) that I availed this opportunity, & exclusive for Rebeccasreads, he revealed the title of his next novel.
     Sir, thank you for sparing your valuable time with us. False Impression has proved to be a big hit not only in United States & United Kingdom, it is also big here in India. Did you ever think that this book would be such a success? I ask because it is the first work you have published since coming back from prison.

Jeffrey:
I was naturally nervous, as this was my first novel in five years, but the early reports from readers began to give me confidence that it would do well.

Narayan:
I think Anna Petrescu is the strongest women protagonist you have portrayed since Florentyna Kane of Kane and Abel -- I can't remember offhand any other strong women in your novels, whereas male characters stay in our mind for a long, long time -- be it Scott Bradley in Honor Among Thieves or Charlie Trumper of As the Crow Flies. Is this intentional, & why are women protagonists given a back seat in most of your novels?

Jeffrey:
I, of course, considered making the main character in False Impression male rather than female, but as the person chasing was a male FBI agent, I thought it more interesting to have a female protagonist. I agree with you that she is as strong as Florentyna Kane.

Narayan:
You've written 3 stage plays -- Beyond Reasonable Doubt, Accused & Exclusive. I have read the former two, & have often wondered will Exclusive ever be published as a book?

Jeffrey:
Exclusive will not be published in book format.

Narayan:
I understand that you are now working on a screenplay about the mountaineer Mallory. Could you tell us more on your first screenplay? Will a book version of the movie also be published?

Jeffrey:
I have finished the screenplay of Mallory: Walking Off The Map, & the Oscar-winning Director Bruce Beresford (Driving Miss Daisy) will be directing, & Oscar-winner Richard Zanuck (The Sting) is the producer. Now all we need is the money. Any wealthy Indians -- please get in touch! I have no plans just yet to turn it into a book.

Narayan:
Would you be acting in the movie? I ask because I know you had acted as the accused in Accused & also did a cameo in Bridget Jones' Diary.

Jeffrey:
I enjoyed playing a walk on part in Bridget Jones's Diary, & if there is an opportunity play a cameo in Mallory, I would certainly consider it.

Narayan:
Last week in an interview you had said that it's goodbye active politics? Are you going to devote yourself to whole time writing or do you have any other plans, apart from charity works?

Jeffrey:
Yes, I am now spending most of my life writing, researching & preparing for books, & although I still retain a great interest in politics, I am no longer what might be described as ‘active’ in them.

Narayan:
Could you please tell us more about your role in the various charities you support?

Jeffrey:
I am currently doing about 30 charity auctions a year. In fact I was invited to do one in Mumbai at the Indian Cricket Club by Mr. Freddie Flintoff. Unfortunately, I will be in America at the time of the Third Test match, & was very sorry to have to turn it down, but hope they will invite me again.

Narayan:
Has the prison experience changed your outlook on life? Do you plan to write a 4th Diary?

Jeffrey:
I think my attitude to human beings has changed since leaving prison. I have become very aware of what a privileged & fortunate life I have had, & how much more lucky I have been than many other people. There will not be a 4th diary.

Narayan:
Author extraordinaire, a top level politician, a top-notch businessman, actor, international athlete, life for you has been a roller-coaster of a ride with its ups and downs -- “truly stranger than fiction,” now looking back on your life so far -- how do you feel?

Jeffrey:
I feel I have had a very interesting life, but I am rather hoping there is still more to come. I still haven't captained the England cricket team, or sung at Carnegie Hall!

Narayan:
I understand that there is a short story collection coming out in the near future. Could you please tell us when we can expect the same?

Jeffrey:
I am currently working on a new set of 12 short stories, called Cat Of Nine Tales, of which nine of the twelve stories were found when I was in prison. So I suspect people will find them quite unusual. The book should come out in a year's time.

Narayan:
Returning to one of your earliest successes -- here in India, you are still known as the “Kane and Abel Author” -- & The Prodigal Daughter, I read somewhere that you had in mind a second sequel titled Madam President -- whatever happened to it?

Jeffrey:
You are right in saying that Kane and Abel was my break-through book. I currently have no plans to write a third in the sequence. My next big effort will be a Kane and Abel type novel, which will be called A Prisoner of Birth.

Narayan:
Still continuing with Kane and Abel, the first edition of Shall We Tell The President had Edward Kennedy as the President. What prompted you to change to Florentyna Kane in the subsequent editions?

Jeffrey:
After I'd finished The Prodigal Daughter, & we had a first woman President [Ed. I'd certainly know if there'd been a woman American President, perhaps Jeffrey is referring to our first female VP candidate Geraldine Ferraro or to British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher or India's Prime Minister Indira Nehru Gandhi], I thought a rewrite of Shall We Tell The President was worthwhile, as Edward Kennedy no longer looked a serious candidate.

Narayan:
I understand that you are a perfectionist, & that each work goes though drafts & drafts. Please do tell us a bit about your work process.

Jeffrey:
My writing day is to rise at 5:30, then write from 6-8am, break for two hours, write from 10am-12pm, two hour break, then write from 2pm-4pm, then take a two hour break, & finally write from 6-8pm. I am usually in bed by 10pm. I do this for about 6 or 7 weeks & then take a break. I repeat the process but for about 3 weeks, take another break, & this goes on until I am happy to show the book to my publisher, which is usually about 9 months later.

Narayan:
How do you cope with fan mail? I understand that your ardent readers were always with you & that you received letters while in prison. There are even web groups devoted to your books. Have you thought of launching your own website.

Jeffrey:
Yes, my website has just been launched -- at www.jeffreyarcher.co.uk -- it will be expanding over the next few weeks. I am always happy to answer letters from fans. While I was in prison, I received over 5,000 letters, & replied to every one.

Narayan:
Who are your favorite authors? Who was the inspiration for you take up writing?

Jeffrey:
I certainly enjoy reading John Le Carre & Freddie Forsyth, but most of my favorite authors are dead -- Charles Dickens, Evelyn Waugh, John Steinbeck, Graham Greene, F Scott Fitzgerald, H. H. Monro, Guy Maupassant.

Narayan:
A short story collection, a screenplay & then what?

Jeffrey:
I will start on my next novel in January 2007. I am currently working on the research for it, but it will not be published until at least 2008.

Narayan:
Thank you, Sir, for sparing your valuable time & I know I'm speaking for everyone when I say I'm looking forward to the next Archer work.

Jeffrey:
Thank you.

Narayan:
Do catch my review of Jeffrey Archer's False Impression - I hope it makes you go out & buy yourself a copy!

Narayan Radhakrishnan
2006©Narayan Radhakrishnan
Published 05/07/06