Webchat with Jack Reacher author, Lee Child: Wednesday 16 November, 9-10pm

[RachelMumsnet]

Jack Reacher fans will be thrilled to hear that author Lee Child will be joining us for a webchat on Wednesday (16 November) evening between 9 and 10pm.

Lee penned his first novel (Killing Floor) at the age of 40 after his career at Granada Television came to an end. Since then Jack Reacher has become a global phenomena with 21 books published and two films with Tom Cruise taking the leading role. This month the latest film Never Go Back, is on general release and the 21st book, Night School, has just been published.

Come and chat to Lee and ask him all your burning questions on Wednesday (16 November) between 9 and 10pm. Everyone who joins will be entered into a draw to win a SIGNED copy of Jack Reacher: Night School.

My husband would like to know if you would consider writing a book with a different central character?

(Not convinced that Jack could beat Hawk though! )

@FurbysMakeSexNoises

Another recent fan here- I'm listening to Persuader at the moment and can see it as a fantastic film- action/regret/ interesting characters and locations. I love how nerdy Reacher is about the guns.

I can't help wondering how he entertains himself when not getting into scrapes- how do you imagine Reacher on a prosaic day?

Sitting in the sun, drinking coffee and reading a book - which he does on about 360 days of the year. I write about them all but the publisher won’t publish them because they're too boring!

@FatherJemimaRacktool

Are you planning to set your novels in all 50 US states? You seem to be covering the map pretty comprehensively.

Dull one, sorry: I haven't read all your novels yet, but my favourite so far is The Enemy. Do you have a favourite?

I'm hoplessly addicted to your novels - damn you, but also thank you!

I'm allergic to the word 'plan' so it whilst it might turn out that way, 50 is a lot so probably not! Some states are quite boring - Utah for example...

@IamNotDarling

Hi Lee, my father put me onto your books as good 'escape' reads. They certainly are. Thank you!

I like the way your female characters are strong and determined. Where do you draw your inspiration for these characters? Are they women you've met or your idea of what a strong woman should be?

I think they're realistic portrayals - women are plenty strong and tough - also the men most of the time.

Ooops ... just read a response to the very same question I asked.

Sorry about that!!

I'm not going to be able to sleep tonight, thinking I could possibly be the love of Jack's life Lovely to talk to you Lee, looking forward to reading Reacher's next adventure.

@LineyReborn

Are you a very disciplined writer? Your output is really impressive, especially including all the short stories.

(I want to read the one with Jack Teacher and Tempe Brennan.)

That's nice of you to say, but compared to popular novelists of the past- I’m a real slacker. Some of them would do 200 novels - I’ve only done 21, and I think that one a year is a very relaxed and luxurious deadline (but don’t tell my publisher that!)

@Tanaqui

I also wanted to say thank you for many hours of reading pleasure.

Might you set another one in the UK?

And might we one day find out more about people he has met previously- I love Neagleys reappearances, but there are loads of other fab minor characters that would be so good to see again.

Thank you again!

I love bringing Reacher to the UK , partly because he's like a bull in the china shop when he's over here. and partly because it's a good challenge for me as a writer. it's the reverse of what i usually do, usually i'm a foreigner writing America like I'm a native. When Reacher comes to the UK. i have to be a native writing like a foreigner.

Generally, I avoid bringing characters back because Reacher is always moving forward and never looking back. But some are too good to miss - like Neagley. I would also love to know what other minor characters you would like to see again?

@JaneAustinAllegro

Do you ever take the 'hound around middle America to get teh details and ideas for your plots, since the landscape and climate are so often absolutely critical in your plot development (or do you send a researcher?)

I worry about Jack's oral health - I fear his breath and teeth must suffer badly with all the coffee and fighting, regardless of the toothbrush in his pocket. I fear that his lovegod status would in reality be seriously undermined by the olfactory challenges presented by his way of life

Yes I do, and I stay in all those cheap motels and eat in those cheap diners because that is what I like. Give me a choice of pancakes and bacon or some fancy french meal, I'll take the pancakes and bacon.

He’s only been hit in the mouth once - but he just pushed his teeth back in with his thumb. I would do the same. And his halitosis is well under control. His way is just -brush your teeth and drink water and you’ll be fine. I’m old enough to remember when we had bath night once a week and people would wear a shirt every day and yet they still reproduced - I’m living proof of that, so it can't be that bad.

@ChaosTrulyReigns

Absolutely a fan here.

The only author I reread. And gosh do I reread.

Going for the obvious question really: if Jack was a biscuit (NOT cookie, we know your roots Mr Child), what would he be?

I'm thinking no frills, substantial and with a soupçon French influence? Possibly?

Would love to hear your thoughts on this matter.

I think he would be a quite a thick sort of oatmeal biscuit, a little thicker than a digestive.

When you're working, do you prefer peace or collaboration/being interrupted? Ie, do you like to go through a synopsis or turn the phone off for a year and write?

Lee , Can I put to you the questions from Mumsnet HQ that we always put to our authors?

Which childhood book most inspired you?

What was the last book you gave someone as a gift?

What was the best book you have recently read?

And finally can you describe the room where you write your novels?

@Lanaorana1

When you're working, do you prefer peace or collaboration/being interrupted? Ie, do you like to go through a synopsis or turn the phone off for a year and write?

I have no plan, no outline and no synopsis. I like to be alone and undisturbed. And preferably, high.

I also wanted to say thank you for the hours of reading pleasure.

@Roussette

Hello Lee. I am probably number one fan of your books! I have read every single one more than once right from your beginning! My idea of heaven is a new book of yours and a holiday (both at the same time). I have a mental picture of Jack that will not be swayed by Tom (he is not Jack!) because my Jack is a moody and mean superhero and my vision paints the most wonderful pictures in my mind!

My questions -

What has given you such an insight into the American way of life and particularly the american military?

Lee, you have said in the past that if you weren't an author you might quite like to write for television. Can you give me a hint of what sort of programme we could have expected from you?! Comedy/crime/thriller/soap?!

Thank you.

I first went to America in 1974 because I was married to an American girl and visited 100 times before emigrating in 1998 so i've seen plenty of America. The American military doesn't really make itself very secret- it is easily accessible by 1000s of books, movies and tv shows and by talking to literally millions of veterans in America.

Actually no, I wouldn't like to write for tv because that is mostly done by a committee, what they call the ‘writers’ room’ and I'm hopeless at collaborating with other people, because I like to be the boss.

We'd like to see Finlay from the Killing Floor again

Cheers for answering my question. I know I'm chancing my arm here with another one...
Do people ever react to you as though you are Reacher or assign you Reacher characteristics? Sorry, not phrased very well, but you know what I mean!

I'll tell my friend who wrote a bestseller by mistake. He's your new No 1 fan for life.

Thanks for answering Lee. Looking forward to reading many more in the future!

@Suzysuz

Do you / did you get any influence on which books would be used for the movies? What book/s would you make into a movie if the choice was entirely yours?

Not real influence - they ran all the discussions past me but it is their choice. As far as i'm concerned, all the books are already movies in my head, so it would be a question of which one they would screw up least. The answer to that is 61 hours - as it is set in deep snow, so they would only be able to do one take cos otherwise the footprints would ruin the second take so they’d have to get it right first time.

Hi Lee, I think one of my favourite parts of your writing is understanding Reacher's reasoning and his weighing up of probabilities before he acts. I find it really specific and interesting and it's a large part of Reacher's appeal. Do you have a team of people who you get advice from about, for example, how likely it is that a shot can be made from a certain distance? Or do you test these things yourself? Or, please no, are they just made up?

@Cocolepew

Is Reacher based on anyone in particular?

He’s almost entirely autobiographical - except for the books, I tone the violence down to keep it plausible.

@RachelMumsnet

Lee , Can I put to you the questions from Mumsnet HQ that we always put to our authors?

Which childhood book most inspired you?

What was the last book you gave someone as a gift?

What was the best book you have recently read?

And finally can you describe the room where you write your novels?

The Secret Seven series by Enid Blyton. But also The White Rajah by Nicholas Montserat - ti was a good brother/bad brother story, naturally i identified with the bad brother. It had the first real 'oh my god' plot moment that i remember.

Strictly speaking, ti was book called Hillbilly Elegy by JD Vance because I had a spare copy and my brother wanted it.

The Mandibles by Lionel Shriver is the best book I've recently read. It was just so well imagined, it seemed to be real. The question 'is this possible' didn't even arise.

The back bedroom of my apartment - it's about 12 feet square and has a big metal desk and a comfortable couch for the essential lying down and thinking part of writing.

@trendytoes

Cheers for answering my question. I know I'm chancing my arm here with another one... Do people ever react to you as though you are Reacher or assign you Reacher characteristics? Sorry, not phrased very well, but you know what I mean!

Yes - always if only subliminally, and it really helps with negotiations with publishers and movie companies because they think I am going to kill them.