Ever thought about writing a book about politics based on your years in the Mississippi Legislature?

Answer: Yes. There are a lot of notes. Some of the greatest storytellers I’ve ever encountered were in the Legislature. Ed Perry from Oxford, Jerry Wilbourn from Itawamba County, Jim Simpson from the Coast, Sonny Meridith from Greenville, Jim Nunnally from Ripley, just to name a few. They could tell stories for hours and never let the facts get in the way. -John Grisham

When Lemurians read this question & answer, we remembered the Foreword John Grisham wrote for Jere Nash and Andy Taggart’s Mississippi Politics:

“Moments after taking office in January of 1984, I lined up on the wrong side of House Speaker Buddie Newman. It was a symbolic flight by some young hotshots, and when the bloodletting was over I was lucky to have a parking space and a desk. I was three hours away from home, too far for a daily commute. I was stuck at the state capitol with little to do.”

“So I began writing my first novel. I also began taking notes. Some of the finest storytellers around were these seasoned politicians who arrived from every corner of the state, and, with plenty of time on their hands, polished their material. There certain spots in the bowels of the capitol where they would congregate, usually around a coffee pot, and exchange outrageous and hilarious stories. As a harmless rookie, I was allowed to sit and listen. There were times when I laughed until I ached.”

“(The party ended for me when the word leaked that I was writing something. After that, when I walked upon a group, things became very quiet.)”

Stay tuned to the blog over the coming weeks: John Grisham will be answering more of his own questions no one has ever asked him before.

See if you can correctly answer Question #1 to win signed first editions and other goodies. (By the way, John Evans, has added one more prize to the pot: A signed first edition of King of Torts—click here to find out more.) This first question will be answered at the end of Grisham’s question series.

.        Ever get tired of writing about lawyers?

        Answer:  Never. There's too much good material. I am a constant
observer of the         legal profession, and trials and lawyers and trends
in litigation, and the         material is endless, and fascinating.

9.        Ever thought about writing a book about politics based on your years
in the         Mississippi Legislature?        

        Answer: Yes.  There are a lot of notes.  Some of the greatest
storytellers I've         ever encountered were in the Legislature.  Ed Perry
from Oxford, Jerry Wilbourn         from Itawamba County, Jim Simpson from the
Coast, Sonny Meridith from Greenville,         Jim Nunnally from Ripley,just to
name a few.  They could tell stories for hours         and never let the facts        get8.        Ever get tired of writing about lawyers?          Answer:  Never. There's too much good material. I am a constant observer of the         legal profession, and trials and lawyers and trends in litigation, and the         material is endless, and fascinating.   9.        Ever thought about writing a book about politics based on your years in the         Mississippi Legislature?                  Answer: Yes.  There are a lot of notes.  Some of the greatest storytellers I've         ever encountered were in the Legislature.  Ed Perry from Oxford, Jerry Wilbourn         from Itawamba County, Jim Simpson from the Coast, Sonny Meridith from Greenville,         Jim Nunnally from Ripley,just to name a few.  They could tell stories for hours         and never let the facts        get in the way.
in the way.
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