Interview with Blogger Jeffrey Archer

By The Pakistani Spectator • Oct 14th, 2008 • Category: Interviews • No Responses

Would you please tell us something about you and your site?
You can find out lots about me on my website, www.jeffreyarcher.com . It is up-dated regularly with news of any tours or book signings, and of course with my blog. It’s a good way for my readers to get in touch with me.

Do you feel that you continue to grow in your writing the longer you write? Why is that important to you?
I think writing is a craft at one level, although story-telling is more important. On the craft side, you can improve all the time, but as there are still a number of people who consider ‘Not A Penny’ is a god-given gift and can’t be improved.

What is the difference between writing a blog and writing a novel?
The blogs are very short and take me no more than a few minutes, whereas writing a novel takes 1,000 hours.

Your Novel ‘Kane and Abel’ is extremely popular in Pakistan, and pirated copies are everywhere because people cannot afford the original ones. Is there any plan of launching economic edition of your books in Pakistan?
Booksellers are in no position to sell copies at the same price as those that are pirated, and until your government stamps down on this, nothing can be done.

Is there any plan to write something like ‘Kane and Abel’ in future?
No.

What do you think sets Your blog apart from others?
I don’t think mine is set apart from others, but it simply personal to me.

If you could choose one characteristic you have that brought you success in life, what would it be?
Energy.

If you could pick a travel destination, anywhere in the world, with no worries about how it’s paid for - what would your top 3 choices be?
St Petersburg in Russia, Tuscany in Italy, New York in America.

What is your favorite book and why?
I don’t have just one favourite book, but ‘The Count of Monte Cristo’ would certainly be the one I would take on a desert Island.

What’s the first thing you notice about a person (whether you know them or not)?
Whether they smile.

Is there anyone from your past that once told you you couldn’t write?
Several people, including friends and contemporaries.

Do you like Pakistani Cricket Team? Have any hard feelings about 1992 world Cup?
I follow Pakistani cricket with great interest, and am much look forward to the next Test against England. I’m sorry about all the troubles you’re currently having with Australia.

What role can bloggers of the world play to make this world more friendlier and less hostile?
The very fact that people are blogging all over the world, is in itself a good thing because it brings people with different views and backgrounds in touch with each other.

Who are your top five fiction writers?
Alexandre Dumas, Charles Dickens, F Scott Fitzgerald, John Galsworthy, R K Narayan.

What is your perception about Pakistan and its people?
As I’ve been friend and admirer of Imran Khan for many years – first through his cricket, and then his amazing work on the hospital in memory of his mother – he really has set the tone for how I view Pakistanis, though he is clearly not your average citizen. Nevertheless, like all good ambassadors, he leaves an impression that can only benefit your people.

Is there one blog post that has gotten the most powerful reaction from people?
The suggestion that England will win the next Ashes!

What are your future plans?
My new book, ‘Paths of Glory’, has just been handed in to my publishers, and will be in the bookshops in March next year.

Any Message you want to give to the readers of The Pakistani Spectator?
Thank you for your kindness and support over the years, and my gratitude to those readers who have been with me from ‘Kane and Abel’ right through to ‘A Prisoner of Birth’.