I take 50,000 women to bed every night says Jeffrey Archer

Jeffrey Archer talks about why women can't let go of him, his hot selling books, and his favourite Indian writer, R K Narayan

THE 'storyteller' seems to be in a sunny mood. Perhaps it's the yellow T-shirt that's brightened up his famously moody temper. Perhaps he has been coached on day two of his interaction with the media to be more subtle. Whatever be the case, Jeffrey Archer is at his best British behaviour. He is touring India to launch his latest book Paths of Glory, as part of the Landmark Jeffrey Archer Tour.

He greets you with a handshake, shows you the seat and then politely excuses himself to call his wife Mary. "I haven't spoken to her for the last three days," he says, calculating the time difference before dialing. "Hi darling..." he trails off into the cellphone and another room, closing the door behind him.

Page turner and how
He emerges soon enough and the conversation rolls. "Writing about a real person as opposed to
letting my imagination go, was a challenge. One had to keep within the realms of credibility. But at the same time, one wants a book where people continue to turn the pages. That combination of wanting to keep to the facts of George Mallory (the mountaineer protagonist) and wanting to keep you entertained was quite a challenge," says Archer, the lines on his forehead creasing.

Surely, the protagonist would have had boring patches in his life. To this Archer, replies, "Even President Barack Obama, not now, but before he became President, would have had periods of time which were thoroughly boring. So there were long stretches when nothing happened to Mallory too. But if you encapsulate the achievements, they are amazing."

Ups and downs
Jeffrey's own life has been a rollercoaster ride, his political career marred with controversies, one of which also led to a jail term of four years for perjury. Archer was, however, let off on parole after serving two years. On plans of penning an autobiography, he smiles, "No autobiography for me please. I am a fiction writer. I enjoy that immensely."

And does the prisoner number FF 8282 still give him the shivers? He brushes it off saying that he feels he is privileged to live this life and doesn't get nightmares of his prison stay.

Archer has a history of bouncing back. In 1974, Archer was on the verge of bankruptcy.

Two years later, his first novel Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less released to instant success. After his prison term, he came out to taste success again as a writer.

No golf, only cricket
So 16 novels, six short story books, three non-fiction and three plays down, Archer says he is far from retiring. If anything, he says, when he is not writing, he visits art galleries, conducts charity auctions and helps Mary with her hospital that has 1,000 doctors, 3,000 nurses and 500 million budgets.

"Mary and I have an immensely energetic life. I wish I had six daughters but I have two delightful sons. I live a full life and I won't have it any other way. I won't retire and play golf," he says with a laugh.

But mention cricket, and he is all excited. "I lovvve cricket and I'm one of the world's greatest players... in my dreams! Sachin (Tendulkar), Rahul (Dravid) and I play together regularly," he jokes. Archer, however, rubbishes Twenty20.

"Cricket is VVS Laxman and Dravid surviving against the Australians the whole day and then winning the Test match the day after. That's cricket. Twenty20 is just a moneymaking enterprise."

Indian favourites
Archer's own work sells quick. Internationally, he has sold 250 million copies, in 63 countries and in over 32 languages about six in India itself.

"Since you get me in so many languages here, you don't need other English writers. I should stop them coming here," jokes Archer, who hand-writes his stories and blog, which is later uploaded on to his website by his secretary.

Archer stops in between to ask his media associate if "the gentleman in the wheelchair" has arrived. He turns back to us and explains that he has a lunch appointment with his guest and won't want to be late. We nod understandingly and ask him if he plans to base a book in India.

Archer replies, "You wouldn't expect R K Narayan to write Kane and Abel. So don't expect me to write on India. Narayan was a genius and he captured the Indian people, the atmosphere beautifully. I am incapable of that and I suspect he was incapable of doing Kane and Abel," he says, about his favourite Indian writer.

His other favourite is Vikram Seth and when asked to name a few more, he says, he can name 10 more but he doesn't rate them the same way as his favourite two.

"A writer is a hero here," he smiles, as he gets up to oblige us with some "vertical" photos.

Taking off
"Do you want me to stand on my head?" he asks jokingly. We say that would be an exclusive. He lowers his voice and mischievously whispers, "Scoop would be what I told you earlier on. I take 50,000 women to bed every night. You better believe it and I try very hard to keep them awake." He finishes the photo shoot in a jiffy and heads out, apologetic that he has to rush.

"You can talk to me while we take the lift," he offers, and steps out immediately. As we gather our bearings and books and rush out behind him, he laughs when he sees us balancing four books in hands, pen and writing pad. We can squeeze in just one last question: Has he heard of a filmmaker called Rakesh Roshan making a film based on his book Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less? "Good for meu2026 (pauses)u2026 really? That's news to me," he says.

We depart with a handshake.