Lee Child, retiring author of the Jack Reacher book series, reflects on his illustrious career, the Reacher movie and TV franchises, the handoff to his younger brother, his writing process, his love of guitars and cannabis, and what he thinks he might miss in retirement. He discusses the distinction between commercial and literary writing, encounters and frustrations, the role of AI in novel writing, the inspiration behind 'The Secret,' and the complex love life of Richard in the Richard series.
Lee Child retired from writing the Jack Reacher book series to avoid becoming lazy and collaborated with his younger brother to continue the series.
Lee Child chose the name Jack Reacher and set the character in America to fit the archetype of the noble loner and reach a wider American audience.
Deep dives
Lee Child's Retirement and Success of Jack Reacher Novels
Lee Child, the internationally best-selling British-born novelist, recently announced his retirement after selling over 200 million novels featuring his iconic character Jack Reacher. Child explains that he always wanted to avoid becoming “lazy” or “phoning it in” like some authors in popular series do. While writing his 24th Jack Reacher book, Child realized that his enthusiasm was waning and decided to retire, but didn't want to disappoint his loyal readers. He collaborated with his younger brother, Andrew, for four more books and now he will continue the series on his own.
Choosing an American Setting for Jack Reacher
Lee Child explains that Jack Reacher, his nomadic, ex-military policeman protagonist, had to be set in America because the character fits the archetype of the noble loner, the outsider, the wanderer who takes on injustices. European landscapes, which were historically dangerous and remote, no longer fit that narrative. Additionally, from a commercial standpoint, Lee Child wanted to reach a wider American audience because American readers are more generous with their time, attention, and money when it comes to buying books.
The Nom de Plume and Pseudonym of Lee Child
Lee Child chose a pseudonym early on in his career due to his experiences in the television industry, where he would use different names for different projects. Child's real name is James Dover Grant. The name Lee Child was a combination of his family name, Lecar, and a playful reference to other successful mystery writers like Raymond Chandler and Agatha Christie. The pseudonym became automatic for Child whenever he started a new project, as it was a common practice in the entertainment industry.
Research and Writing Process of Lee Child
Lee Child discusses his writing process, which involves starting a new novel every September 1st and relying on his extensive general knowledge and lifelong curiosity as the basis for research. He emphasizes that every experience, conversation, and piece of information gathered over the years becomes valuable research material for his books. Child is also known for writing his drafts without significant revisions, aiming to capture the story as it naturally unfolds in his imagination and maintaining its authenticity.
We met with Lee Child on the eve of his retirement as the author of the Jack Reacher book series. The premier proxy for millions of readers who yearn for revenge in lives where revenge is impractical or out of reach, the character of Jack Reacher is a figure who metes out justice against bullies in a way that ironically is equitable and fair. We reflect on Child's illustrious career, the Reacher movie and TV franchises, the handoff to his younger brother, his "one-draft" writing and research process, his love of guitars and cannabis, and what he thinks he might miss in retirement. Whether you're curious about Jack Reacher's motivations and worries, want to know about the inspiration behind the villains in The Secret, are curious about writing in general, or simply wonder what the future holds for storytelling in a world with AI, this conversation holds something for you. Join us for a thoroughly entertaining hour.
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