Some time ago I did an online interview with British bestselling author - and Lord - Jeffrey Archer. I first became acquainted with his books after watching the BBC series of
Not a penny more, not a penny less. Since then I have read many a novel.
Here are my questions and Archer's answers:
1) When did you realise you wanted to be an
author?
At the age of 34 when I had left the House of Commons and
couldn’t get a job.
2) How long did it take you to write 'Not a Penny
More, Not a Penny Less'?About 9 months
3) Would you care to tell
us to how many publishers/agents you sent this first manuscript?My first
book, ‘Not A Penny More Not A Penny Less’ was rejected by 17
publishers.
4) How was that novel received by the public? (I should state
here that I immediately liked the book!)
It was a slow burner, but took
off after ‘Kane and Abel’ and has now sold around 20m worldwide.
5) What
did you think of the tv-version that was made after this
book?
Disappointed.
6) How do you handle
criticism?
Badly.
7) How important are reader's reactions to
you?
Very important – in the end it’s readers who decide how many books
are sold, not critics.
8) Where do you find your inspiration for the
books you reading, besides in politics?
Politics, art, business and much
more important, people.
9) What would be your advice to a novice
author?
Don’t image when you’ve finished the first draft you’re ready to
present it to a publishers. I still take 16 drafts before allowing even my agent
to see it.
10) Which books do you find interesting to read? And who are
your favourite authors?My favourite authors are F Scott Fitzgerald,
Steinbeck, Maupassant and Herman Hesse, although I think ‘To Kill A
Mockingbird’, ‘All Quiet on the Western Front’ and possibly ‘Of Mice and Men’
are my favourite books.
Well, he did not have much to say, but then what can you expect of nobility??? I was surprised he eve wanted to answer those questions!!!
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