98 | May• 2019
write.Thepublishedresultafew
yearslaterwasthenovelKillingFloor,
whichwastobecomethefirstinthe
intriguingJackReacherseries.“In
theUS,thefirstprintrunwas18,000
copies,whichisnotmany,”herecalls.
“NowI get18,000copiesshopliftedin
Manhattanalone.”
Sentimentally,Childcontinues
the tradition of starting each new
novelonSeptember 1 everyyear,
withnooutlineinplace,tapping
awayonthekeyboardofhiscom-
puterwithtwofingersashe’snever
learnttotouchtype.
“Igetupdisgracefullylateand
startworkingatabout1pm.I have
fewrulesinmylifebutonestrict
ruleisnothingof valueisever
achieved in the morning. The way“Everythingfeelslikea high-wireact.
It’slikea drug...It’sa never-ending
treadmillof self-torture”
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