The following article includes references to sexual assault.
Grisham didn’t dream of being an author.
As a child growing up in Mississippi, he contemplated a career as a professional baseball player.
Eventually, he settled on law school and became a criminal and personal injury lawyer (perBiography).
“I would write for an hour or so each morning, then start to work.
My goal was simply to finish the first manuscript.
It was only a hobby, a very secret one,” he said toThe Book Reporter.
If you’re new to Grisham’s work, where should you start?
“It was one of those crimes you never forget,” he toldThe Clarion-Ledger.
That became the kernel of inspiration for his first novel, “A Time to Kill.”
Writing the book was not an easy experience for Grisham.
“Several times, I went a month or so without touching it.
My wife always encouraged me to keep going,” he explained toThe Strand Magazine.
“Eventually 5,000 hardback copies were printed and I was thrilled.
Despite this lackluster reception, Grisham has confessed a special fondness for the first of his published works.
“It’s impossible to rank them,” he recalled toThe Independent.
“‘A Time to Kill’ will always be a favorite because of how it all started.”
If you or anyone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, help is available.
For the first six months after ‘The Firm’ was finished no publisher wanted to buy it.
Eventually, “The Firm” did find a publisher, and the novel became an instant hit.
“‘The Firm’ set me free,” Grisham toldThe Independent.
“It found a market real fast, became popular, then went nuts when the movie came out.
He was delighted to leave the 80-hour workweeks behind and embrace his new career as a novelist.
His “Theodore Boone” books for kids focus on a 13-year-old aspiring lawyer who solves crimes.
“I love working on the books I write.
It’s never felt like a job,” he toldThe Washington Post.
And Hollywood certainly adores Grisham’s stories.
“I want all of my books adapted to film,” Grisham said (viaThe Independent).
“Who doesn’t enjoy a good movie or series?
I’ve been lucky with Hollywood: great directors, big name casts, good films.”
“But the only plan was to keep writing books.
And I’ve stuck to that ever since.”
