The Cobra Curiosity - A Day in the Life of Frederick Forsyth

Frederick Forsyth's day starts at seven in theHis Writing Room
morning, and it's breakfast time after letting StellaThe writing room has been formed by converting
and Shen out. The breakfast for him meansthe dairy room where the curtains are kept
crushing a grapefruit and putting the kettle on. Hisclosed all the time. According to Frederick Forsyth,
groundsman Dan arrives with the Mail and thepreparation before actually writing the novel is
Telegraph at about 7.30 AM. Frederick Forsyth ishard work as he needs to be clear about the
a man of strong political views (a conservative atcharacter and the plot of the novel before writing
heart), he is almost furious with the way UK hasone word of the novel. Mostly, he takes the help
been run after the political decline of Margretof a contact who sets up meetings with
Thatcher. He didn't like the regimes of John Majorconcerned person wherever he has to conduct
or Tony Blair. He goes for a shower after goingthe meetings. The concerned persons might be jail
through the newspapers of the day.governors, police chief, head of Special Forces and
Frederick's Everyday Routinemore.
Now is the time for the dogs to come in and getParents Were Avid Readers
their treat. His farm is a huge 170 acres which isHe was the only child of his parents and both
managed by his farm manager David. Frederickmum and dad were avid readers, a habit which
Forsyth doesn't like cutting hay, but he loveswas passed on to him as if as a family tradition.
driving tractor. He also helps with lambingHe was fond of adventure stories, as they helped
whenever going gets tough for others. His lettershim get out of the small town atmosphere where
arrive by 11 AM, and he types his replies (andhe lived and understand the world outside better.
books) with two fingers and thumb (for spaceAs a writer, he is pretty quick, he churns out 10
bar). He typed exactly the same way when hepages every day for 45 days, and he's done with
started his career as a cub reporter. He doesn'tit. His wife understands he needs to be busy for
own a mobile phone though there are times whenthat time, and bears his (mental) absence.
he feels the need to have one.