Transcript of MPR.org & Gather.com chat with Jim Lehrer (Anchor of The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer and author of EUREKA)

 

I watch him every night.

He's cool.

I had no idea that he was a novelist. His newshour is the only news program that I regularly watch, and trust. Too bad the interview is on a holiday.

I know he wrote something that was turned into a movie starring Peter Ustinov. I thought it was dumb but that's just because I was very jealous. I wanted MY novel to be made with Peter Usinov. Alas, now it's too late. Jim gets ALL the fun!!!

(HE would have made a great Merlin)

Thank you, Kevin, I think people will enjoy having the chance to chat with Jim!

Hope you'll join us Peter, and please don't hesitate to post questions for him.

Sheryl, isn't it amazing that this is his seventeenth novel? Everyone is welcome to join in, even if they're off work!

Julia,

I am looking forward to this chat!

Also, I will keep your event featured in the calendar over the weekend and on Monday to give it as much exposure as possible. :-)

I wrote it down!

Hello everyone! Help me welcome Jim Lehrer to Gather. Jim is live from his home and we have a typist to capture his answers to your questions.

I'm presenting my own question:

Can you tell us about your decision - if it was a decision, not just inspiration - to have Otis Halstead ride a Cushman scooter?

Julia Schrenkler wrote "Can you tell us about your decision - if it was a decision, not just inspiration - to have Otis Halstead ride a Cushman scooter? "

Well, it related to when I was a little boy in the 1940's, and the 50's, I wanted a Cushman Motor scooter. A red one, that I could sport around town with a beautiful girl behind me. But it didn't happen. My parents always smiled and said, "No way Jimmy. We can't afford anything like that." So when it came time to create Otis Halstead, 60 years later or so, Otis's longings replicated one of mine and it caused him the fictional Otis, to actually accomplish what I could not, in real life. Otis bought what was then considered an antique Cushman motor scooter for himself but i guess you could say it was really for me.

What a thrill to have Mr. Lehrer on Gather. I love The NewsHour and have read many of his books. I'm always curious to know about an author's writing process. Does Mr. Lehrer like to write in the mornings or evening? Does he use a computer or write long hand? Does he have the book completely outlined when he starts writing or does it fall into place during the writing of it?

Peter Joseph Swanson wrote "I watch him every night. He's cool."


I like being cool.

Glad you joined us, Linda. Your question is next on deck!

Note to all: Please share your questions early, Mr. Lehrer has a hard stop at Noon.

Julia, This is a question from the Gather Editorial team for Mr. Lehrer. What would people be surprised to know about you? We asked author Dean Koontz the same question and found out that he is a competent home contractor and collects radios from the Art Deco period. And actor Tim Guinee revealed that he is a beekeeper and a volunteer fireman.

Thank you Jennifer, that's a terrific question and will be up after Linda's - Jim is very happy to answer these questions!

Welcome to Gather Mr. Lehrer. I'm wondering how long your novels generally take from conception to final draft.

Welcome to the online chat, Bridget!

Linda H. wrote "What a thrill to have Mr. Lehrer on Gather. I love The NewsHour and have read many of his books. I'm always curious to know about an author's writing process. Does Mr. Lehrer like to write in the mornings or evening? Does he use a computer or write long hand? Does he have the book completely outlined when he starts writing or does it fall into place during the writing of it?"

As for the most part, I do all of the writing on a computer now. Whether it's a desktop at home at home or at my office or a laptop while I'm traveling. All of the heavy writing, the real writing I do on a computer, a word processor. But I also take notes about specific ideas or specific points that I may want to make in a book or in a notepad like any other normal human being would. Try ot remember things. That's part of the ongoing process. As far as the scheduling, when I actually do the writing. I am a daily writer, D, A, I, L, Y writer. I write or I edit or I think or I dream about what I'm working on at least a little bit, most everyday. That is the only way I can get from here to there on a book because of my day job and other requirements, I seldom have time to just go off and listen to the wind blow, listen to the wind, trigger my creative juices. And then write for a long period or have a long stretch of time from which to write. As a practial matter, I get up early in the morning and do something on what I am working. In other words, one of my novels for an hour every morning. I do that usually at my office because I do in early before anyone else is there on my staff and I have that part of what matters so much to me, meaning my fiction writing doesn't and behind me before I begin the journalism part of my day which is also very imporotnat to me. I also work on my fiction writing on weekends and when I travel or whenever or wherever I am. It's a criticial part of my life and I treat it that way. In other words, when I wake up in the morning, I never think, oh am I going to write today. If i think about it at all, What am I going to write today and usually I already know that because it is an ongoing process that I never allow to get cold.

Do I outline a novel ahead of time? The answer to that is no, I do not. Usually start with an idea it can be a scrap of not only an idea but a scene or it can jsut be an idle thought and i begin. It goes with me. It's one of the glories of writing fiction this way. Is that you're always curious and excited to find out what it is or how it is going to end, when it is going to end. And that to me is one of the most exhiliataring experiences that come with writing fiction.

Hi Jim, Welcome to Gather. What is the most challenging aspect of writing for you?

I'm curious to know what Mr. Lehrer sees as the differences and similarities between writing this novel (which sounds great, by the way) and his work as a news anchor. Are there shared techniques or experiences that he applies to both efforts?

I just logged in and saw this on the homepage. How cool! I'm a big fan of Mr. Lehrer's writing. I'm wondering who, besides his editor, he allows to read his drafts. I seem to recall that his wife is a writer.

That's a terrific answer for writers here at Gather, Jim. You're on deck, Jennifer.

In answer to Jennifer's question:

Well, probably that I am one of america's leading collectors of bus memorabilia. I have, you're looking at him kid. I have over 300 bus depot signs. Those heavy metal porcelains one that are all over the company, those bus company ones, that are no longer in business.

Also 500 badges that drivers wore on their cap that said the name of their company. And I have scads of old toy busses of all sizes. And this is not something that came to me in a stroke of lightinging or something. I'm a bus person. My dad worked in the bus business all of his adult life. I worked as a ticket agent in Victoria Texas when I was going to a small junior college in the 1950's. BUsses are part of me and as a result of that, I make sure they alwasy will be with my collecting.

Bridget Riley wrote" Welcome to Gather Mr. Lehrer. I'm wondering how long your novels generally take from conception to final draft.


There is no set pattern to this. Some novels take a long time to incubate and to blossom. Usually it's from 2 to 3 years.

Thank you for answering my question in such depth.

Buses! Who knew...Welcome matt f, Caryn D, and Baldy McBrennan!

matt, your question is next.

Matt f wrote" Hi Jim, Welcome to Gather. What is the most challenging aspect of writing for you?


The most challenging aspect for me is to accomplish what it is, what I want to accomplish. That I want to get over a particualr point about a character or a character's actions and then feel frustrated that I'm not able to do it. That's why I rewrite and rewrite and rewrite and rewrite til I feel that I am least at close to getting it done. In short, sometimes my ideas are better than my ability to make them come alive in a story.

Mr. Lehrer, I'm curious about rewrites. To what extent do you revise your work? And a welcoming hello from Minnesota!

I can imagine that you're not alone in that, Jim. Gather writers, feel free to speak up and answer the same question.

Caryn, your question is up next.

Oops. I see that I've found my answer.

Mr. Lehrer, welcome to Gather. How do you juggle the challenges of the NewsHour, writing, and family?

Caryn D. wrote "I'm curious to know what Mr. Lehrer sees as the differences and similarities between writing this novel (which sounds great, by the way) and his work as a news anchor. Are there shared techniques or experiences that he applies to both efforts?"

The major similarity is the obvious one. I use my fingers on a computer to do both. My journalism and my fiction writing. But I don't apply both of my, both kinds of my creative juices to do both. Fiction writing for me is a way to go into my soul and into my heart. All those places that I should never go when I'm doing my journalism. Fortuantely, I can do both kinds of journalism. Both kinds of writing. SO it is never an either or, it's always a both.

Baldy McBrennan, your question is being answered now... Welcome Susan> and EK

Another question. What impact did having your name already "out there in lights" have on your ability to find an agent and/or publisher? That's something my writing colleagues have found challenging, getting their foot in the door.

Baldy McBrennan wrote "I just logged in and saw this on the homepage. How cool! I'm a big fan of Mr. Lehrer's writing. I'm wondering who, besides his editor, he allows to read his drafts. I seem to recall that his wife is a writer."

That's exactly right. My wife Kate, is also a novelist. She is the first and only one other than my editor that I allow to read my stuff.

Wonder how many of us trust our drafts to our significant other? That's quite revealing.

E.K. your question is being answered now, and Susan (I'm glad you could make it!) yours is next on deck.

I would love to know what books are currently on Mr. Lehrer's reading list.

EK wrote "Mr. Lehrer, welcome to Gather. How do you juggle the challenges of the NewsHour, writing, and family?"

Well, I made a decision many years ago that I was only going to do those things that I really wanted to do. And those three things were and are: My family life, my journalism life on The NewsHour and my fiction writing life. And once having made that decision I realized that in order to do these things that matter to me, I had to stop doing all the things that did not matter. And fortunately I've been able to do that. And the end result of this is that on juggling among positives and it is not only possible for me to successfuly do that, it is also pleasurable.

Which author would you most like to have dinner with?

Susan Budig wrote" Another question. What impact did having your name already "out there in lights" have on your ability to find an agent and/or publisher? That's something my writing colleagues have found challenging, getting their foot in the door."

I understand that, and I have great sympathy for my fellow and sister writers. It's not easy to get read and heard. The connection between my being on television and my getting my books published is not that clear. Because I have been writing since I was 16 years old. I've had books published long before I appeared on television. But there is also no question that it helps in ways that I probably am not even aware of now. It helps now in ways that I'm not even aware of.

Jennifer your question is up next, thank you.

Jennifer Hodge wrote "I would love to know what books are currently on Mr. Lehrer's reading list."

Well, there are two books I'm reading right now. Rise and Shine an novel by Anna Quinland. And Einstein by Walter Isaacson. Those are two books that I'm reading right at this moment.

Susan, your message made Jim chuckle - he's actually addressing it now! Bridget, never fear, your follow up question is next on deck.

To add: I'm thinking I best add those two titles to my "must read" list...

Susan Budig wrote "I married an English major from Carleton College and he won't look at my work for fear of marital discord. Imagine."

I understand that perfectly. Kate and I have had many an editing dialogue at the top of our respective lungs. The key to it all is to make sure that the exchanges between those who love one another are also professionally credible or forget it. But Kate and me, they are and it works and we both have many scars to prove it.

Mr. Lehrer, I have a travel question. I am taking my first trip to Washington, D.C. next month. As a resident of the Beltway, what are three things you recommend not to miss?

Bridgit Riley wrote "Which author would you most like to have dinner with?"

Oh, John Updike, Ann Patchett and Philip Roth.

Welcome to the chat with Jim Lehrer, Ann, he's answering your question next.

Ann Oxford wrote "Mr. Lehrer, I have a travel question. I am taking my first trip to Washington, D.C. next month. As a resident of the Beltway, what are three things you recommend not to miss?

Go to the Edward Hopper exhibition at the National Gallery of Art, go to the Lincoln Memorial at about sunset or early evening and go to the National Archives and see the Declaration of Independence.

I'm wondering if there is a possibility of EUREKA being made into a movie? Who would you want to play Otis and the supporting characters?

Thank you for your recommendations, Mr. Lehrer. They will be on my list of Washington sights to see.

Which writing do you find more satisfying? Journalism or Creative?

Mr. Lehrer has a hard stop at noon... we'll get to as many questions as possible.

Baldy McBrenna wrote "I'm wondering if there is a possibility of EUREKA being made into a movie? Who would you want to play Otis and the supporting characters?"

There are some signs of interest. We shall see with fingers crossed. Harrison Ford would be terrific as Otis. Susan Sarandon as Otis's wife and that's about as far as I can go.

Susan, your question is the last we can take, and we're wrapping it up now...

Susan Budig wrote "Which writing do you find more satisfying? Journalism or Creative?

I find them both satisfying but it's the fiction writing that is truly in me deep and out of me deep. And thus the most satisfying.

From a journalist's perspective, what do think the most exciting decade in the 20th Century was?

Thank you, Mr. Lehrer, for joining us for such a revealing and in depth chat.

Thank you to all the Gather members who participated. Until next time!

BTW: I'm sorry, Ann, Mr. Lehrer had to leave for a interview, but he did receive your thanks!

I enjoyed this!

Jim:

Good work. I love EUREKA and watch it all the time.

Very cool.

Rob

I'm sorry I wasn't able to make the morning chat but reading the transcript is great. I gained quite a bit of insight from Mr. Lehrer. It was great! Looking forward to the next chat here on Gather!

Thanks, Susan.

Rob, I appreciate you chiming in... For clarification, Lehrer's Eureka is a recently released book, not the show I think you're referring to... Nevertheless, still very cool.

Thank you for speaking up, Chip! Glad you could catch the transcript even though you couldn't be here live.

Where was I?! So sorry I missed this but I have enjoyed reading the transcript - and yes - we watch The News Hour pretty regularly.

good article