Jeffrey Archer has published dozens of books over a 40-year career – but that doesn’t mean writing gets any easier.
Mr Archer recently published his 42nd novel Traitors Gate about a man who attempts to steal the Crown Jewels and a detective who tries to stop him.
There has only been one attempt to steal the Crown Jewels in real life, and that was in 1661 by Irishman Colonel Thomas Blood, who Jeffrey described as a “complete rascal”.
“He failed – he didn’t even get them out of the tower,” he told The Anton Savage Show.
“But he had an amazing career right through his life.
“He was either on the king’s side or the rebels. He moved according to what suited him.”
Mr Archer was not inspired by a thief to write his latest novel, but by someone he met while having dinner on a cruise.
“This man said to me ‘I can tell you how to steal the Crown Jewels’, and I had just started the soup,” he said.
“Then he casually mentioned he was a remember of the Royal Household, and he told me quite casually in two or three minutes how to steal the Crown Jewels.
“I couldn’t sleep that night and by the time I got back to Southampton I had a 30-page outline.”
‘Gripping’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
'Fast-paced and full of twists’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
‘Couldn’t put it down! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
It’s wonderful to see so many reader reviews for my latest novel #TraitorsGate! Have you read it yet? pic.twitter.com/42D6Bo6C9L— Jeffrey Archer (@Jeffrey_Archer) October 20, 2023
At the age of 83, Mr Archer has become much more aware of his mortality.
“When I read obituary every morning, there are very few people older than me, so I think ‘Wait a minute Jeffrey, how much longer do you have?’,” he said.
“I know exactly what the next three books are and I've done 12 drafts for the next book, so I would like to stay alive, please.”
Mr Archer loves writing just as much as he did when he started in 1976 – but sometimes also finds writing just as hard as it was in 1976.
“I confess I assumed in old age it would get easier, but it’s not getting easier,” he said.
“I've become a better craftsman, but the ideas are God-given.
“You don't ever get away with being lazy.”
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