ReThinking What being a lawyer taught John Grisham about writing novels
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Oct 14, 2025 
John Grisham, the best-selling author of over 50 legal thrillers, shares insights from his past as a trial lawyer. He recounts the nerve-wracking experience of his first murder trial and discusses the addictive thrill of courtroom victories. Grisham reveals how the freedom of writing led him to leave law, his disciplined writing routine, and the balance between planning and discovery in storytelling. A pivotal conversation changed his stance on the death penalty, fueling his advocacy work and informing his novels, particularly around wrongful convictions.
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Rookie Trial That Changed Everything
- John Grisham vomited and nearly ran from court during his first murder trial but returned to finish his closing argument.
- His impromptu summation helped secure a not-guilty verdict and taught him resilience under pressure.
From Small-Town Lawyer To Novelist
- Grisham wrote his first novel while still practicing law and kept writing after it initially flopped.
- That persistence led him to abandon law for full-time writing when the writing dream became irresistible.
Guard Your Morning Writing Ritual
- Establish a disciplined daily routine and remove distractions to protect creative momentum.
- John writes alone each morning in the same place with no devices to maximize output and focus.
