LEE & ANDREW CHILD | The Making of a Masculine Icon

You may not immediately recognize the names, Lee and Andrew Child, but I bet you know the name, Jack Reacher. Lee is the creator of Jack Reacher and Andrew is now the man who will carry on the legacy of the man who all of us want to be like.

Today, I am joined by the iconic and legendary duo and authors of the Jack Reacher series. We talk about so much including the nature of men, the power of good storytelling (whether you’re a fictional author or just want to be a good dad), the “Robin Hood Myth,” the future of good literature in modern times, and how much individual personality goes into creating a character who will last.

LEE & ANDREW CHILD

My guests today only need an introduction because you may not know the names behind the character we’ve all come to know and resonate with, Jack Reacher. Whether you’ve read Lee & Andrew Child’s books, watched the movies featuring Tom Cruise, or binged on the Reacher series on Amazon (admittedly, Lee and Andrew’s best casting yet), it’s safe to say you know and want to be like their fictional character, Jack Reacher.

With Lee stepping down and wanting the legacy of Reacher to continue, he has turned that responsibility over to his brother, Andrew. And, I thought it fitting to have both of them on the podcast to talk about what the legacy holds, sibling rivalry, and how the two work together to continue to expose men to one of the most iconic fictional male characters in modern history.

Show Highlights

• The Science Behind Compelling Character Names
• How Film Adaptations Alter Characters
• Transitioning the Jack Reacher Series
• The Natural Evolution of a Character
• How Personal Experiences Shape Fictional Characters
• The Organic Transition of Writing Reacher
• Balancing Character Description and Reader Imagination
• The Power of Storytelling in Fiction
• Showing Virtue Through Action in Fiction
• Fiction as a Release Valve for Frustrations
• Vigilantism, Justice, and Society’s Reaction
• The Modern Robin Hood Myth
• Exploring Moral Ambiguity in Fiction
• Why Flawed Heroes Are More Compelling
• Reacher’s Moral Code and the Power of Choice
• The Author’s Duty to the Readers
• Balancing Creativity and Reader Expectations
• How Reader Trends Have Changed Over 30 Years
• The Enduring Theme of the Underdog vs. the Bully
• Avoiding Heavy-Handed Messaging in Fiction
• Respecting the Reader’s Intelligence
• The Economic Unfairness Theme in Modern Fiction
• The Robin Hood Story Still Resonates Today
• Writing Convincing Villains
• Lee Child on Letting Go of Reacher
• Andrew’s Perspective on Taking Over the Series
• The Blue-Collar Work Ethic in Writing

EXCUSES

There isn’t a day that goes by where I don’t hear from men about wanting to connect with other men to be accountable to and to band with. When I give them suggestions about how to connect with other great men, unfortunately, I’m met with a myriad of excuses as to why my offer won’t work for them.

Don’t be like those guys. It’s easy to make excuses. And, I know you’re busy and strapped for financial resources. We all are. But what if I told you we were hosting an event that not only is inexpensive but has the power to transform your life.

I’m talking about the event, The Men’s Forge. On May 1^st-4^th, we’re all descending on a bison camp just outside of St. Louis to band and work together and forge some of the deepest bonds a man could have. And, I want you there.

All food, lodging, and activities are covered, and tickets are selling fast. Join us a www.themensforge.com.

Support Lee & Andrew Child

• Facebook (Lee)
• Facebook (Andrew)