In person..

The 69-yr old's confident  stride past the many gathered in that now-seemingly confined space,commanded respect.My eyes followed that figure in awe,almost forgetting to applaud along with the crowd.The first experiment I've had with this author,'A Twist in the tale' was pleasant enough,to keep continuing...haven't stopped till today(though most of my peers have stopped reading his books,calling it repetitive,i certainly beg to differ!!)

       "Now that you have a new government,I appoint myself the transport minister.This is the first country where cars think the white line is supposed to pass through the middle",was his opening statement.The crowd laughed,mostly in agreement.I haven't payed attention to any one's talk( not even the best Professor) as much as i did for the next 60 minutes.Jeff(he doesn't like being called that,AT ALL!!!! :)) spoke about everything under the sun;his first time with the publishers';his intransigent stand on how "20-20 is non-sense";India;Indian writers...everything:)

            When he said,'My writing ability is God's gift',I couldn't agree with him more.What completely baffled me ,was that he's never had a 'Writer's block!'..NEVER(!!!!).WOW!!,I thought to myself!,certainly the biggest gift anyone could ask for.The excitement metamorphosed into anticipation to get an autographed copy of his latest novel"Paths of Glory'.A true celebrity(..to say!),he promised not to leave without signing each one of the books <>.After about 60minutes of crawling in that line,I came face-to-face with the man himself.The biggest grin drawn upon my face (WOW!!!).A small,insignificant 'thank you' of mine,got a booming reply ,'NO,THANK YOU:)'..and a smile drawn upon his face.That was the most amazing feeling.I was that excited little kid again,wanting to run back home to show the autographed book:).

          You can place Jeffrey Archer in that Pantheon of great storytellers,no doubt.I just hope,somewhere down the line,I can write stories half as entertaining as his:)