March 15, 2006

Lord Jeffery Archer

I was listening to the radio this morning and the host was interviewing Lord Jeffery Archer. He’s an author that has just released his newest novel “False Impression.”

I found it interesting to hear him describe his work day, when he’s writing. Here’s his schedule.

05:00 get up
06:00 – 08:00 write
08:00 – 10:00 take break
10:00 – 12:00 write
12:00 – 14:00 take break
14:00 – 16:00 write
16:00 – 18:00 take break
18:00 – 20:00 write
20:00 – 22:00 take break and off to bed

He said it takes him about 45 days to write a whole novel.

I know someone that is working on a novel and I thought I’d post this to give him some idea how other writers work.

He also said they he only lays out, in skeletal form the first three chapters. He finds that after that the book takes over and he just follows it. He says he’s never gotten a letter where people tell him they knew early on how the novel will end. He said that because HE doesn’t know how it’s going to end.

Although I've never read any of his novels, apparently one of his more famous is "Cain and Abel."

Posted by The Vorlon at March 15, 2006 10:11 AM
Comments

That is a very long day to get 8 hours of writing in. He's going for 5 AM to 10 PM every day.

From what I've read, every writer is completely different in what works for them. Some write very early in the morning for several hours, some only in the afternoon, others late at night. Some must have total peace and quite while others have loud music on in the background and others can't even stand to be in the room.

I find I do well from about 7 AM - Noon when I have the time to write. The idea of sketching out the novel works very well for him. Others do it differently. I read interviews in two writing mags I get monthly. Nearly everyone who has made it has a different routine. It's a matter of having the talent and some sort of writing discipline to get you through. That and a whole lot of luck.

Posted by: Reb Orrell at March 16, 2006 10:49 AM

He also writes everything in long hand using a felt tipped pen. Sheesh.

Posted by: Ted at March 16, 2006 12:49 PM