Jeffrey Archer, 83, has lived quite a life.
Traitors Gateis your 30th published novel.
Has writing gotten easier over time?
Its every bit as hard every time.
Just because they finish the first draft, doesnt mean they finish the book.
Fourteen revisions on your system?
I handwrite every one.
I handwrite every word.
I cant punch in.
I’m 83 years old.
Im past all that.
Im not capable of it.
So I handwrite every word.
Do you remember the first book you ever read and loved?
ProbablySwallows and Amazons[by Arthur Ransome], because my mother was a great reader.
And then as an incorrigible teenager, [books by] Ian Fleming.
What do you think is the key to your literary success?
I think Im a storyteller, not a writer.
I try very hard to make my writing better and better all the time.
And that Id have to say to you, in all honesty, its a God-given gift.
Young people sit in front of me and say, Whats the secret?
And I say, There isnt a secret.
Its like watching a baseball player.
You throw the ball at the man, and he hits it out of the ground.
If you go up to him and say, How did you do that?
he cant tell you.
He doesnt know how he did it.
Its a gift, a God-given gift.
And storytelling is the same.
If you could have dinner with any three people, living or dead, who would you choose?
Thomas Jefferson, number one.
Thomas Jefferson, unquestionably.
Oscar Wilde would be a second.
He won that as well.
So he won the 5,000, the 10,000 and the marathon in one week.
What would ask him?
The question I would ask him, Is it true?
And Jim Peters said, Well if it isnt, you better get on.
And he left him immediately and went straight on to win.
Id like to know if thats true.
