An Interview with Brad Meltzer

The Ohio Center for the Book interviewed Brad Meltzer about his newest novel, The Book of Lies, influenced by the life of Cleveland Ohio native Jerry Siegel, the creator of Superman.  Meltzer is a #1 bestselling author of The Tenth Justice, Dead Even, The First Counsel, The Millionaires, and The Zero Game.  He will discuss and sign The Book of Lies on Wednesday, September 10th at 7 p.m. at the Barnes & Noble, Eton Collection, 28801 Chagrin Blvd in Woodmere. Call 216.765.7520 for more information on that event.

Did you read comic books when you were growing up? If yes, what were your favorites?

Superman.  Batman.  All the usual suspects.  For me, the interesting part of theses stories has never been the Superhero; the interesting part is Clark Kent -- the idea that all of us, in all our ordinariness -- can change the world.  That theme is in every single thing I’ve ever worked on, from the novels, to the comics, to “Jack & Bobby.”  I believe there is greatness in all of us and once you find what you love, and accept yourself for who you are — that greatness comes out.  In every novel, that’s always the journey.  They don’t win until they lose — and finally accept themselves for who they are.

What or who first influenced you to pursue writing?

It wasn’t until I graduated from college. I was coming out of the University of Michigan and I had a job offer from the man who used to run Games magazine. He told me, "If you love the job, you’ll stay. If you hate it, you’ll leave a year later with some money in your pocket." Since I had some debt to pay off, that seemed like a fair deal. So I moved all my stuff to Boston. But when I got there, the publisher left the magazine. (Surprise!) The whole reason I went there was to work for him. I thought I’d wrecked my life. I had no idea what to do. So I did what all of us would do in that situation. I said, "I’m gonna write a novel." And I just started writing. Every day, I just fell more and more in love with the process.

What inspired you to write “The Book of Lies”?

Every writer has a story they've been waiting their whole life to tell.  This is mine. We are a country founded on our own legends and myths, and in this election year, where everyone is pushing hope, what’s crazy to me is that we still don’t know which of these myths are real.  Cain is known as one of the world’s worst villains, but maybe he’s not the bad guy in the story.  And why did the world get Superman?  Because a little boy named Jerry Siegel heard his father was murdered and, in grief, created a bulletproof man.  These stories — about Cain and Abel, about Superman — are not just folklore. They’re stories about us.  Our heroes and villains tell us who we are.  And sometimes we need to find the truth, even if it means revealing our own vulnerabilities.

What kind of research did you do to give “The Book of Lies” an authentic feel?

 I spoke to Jerry Siegel’s family, as well as his widow and his daughter, who told me that in all the years that people have written about the Siegels, I’m the first one to actually call and speak with all of them.  During the research, I went back and searched through the old newspapers from 1932 just to see what was going on when Jerry’s father was killed.  You won’t believe what’s in there. 

How do you construct your characters? Are they based on people in your own life?

The Book of Lies is a story about a father and a son. There is much of my parents on these pages.  Every character is based on someone I know.  When I wrote Dead Even, about husband and wife lawyers pitted against each other, I was always asked if the characters were based on us.  I’ve known my wife since ninth grade. I know how we interact. The opening scene—where Sara and Jared take on the coupon lady? Pretend it didn’t happen in a bagel store; pretend it was in Bethesda, Maryland; pretend Jared had a lot less hair.

What is next for you as a writer?

 Last month, Last Will & Testament was released by DC Comics.  We currently have a television show in development with Avenue Q creator Jeff Marx.  And another novel is always cooking…