Have you felt compelled to change aspects of your story or names in the book to avoid comparisons? How do you keep people from thinking you cribbed from the other works?īrad Meltzer: It's hard - when I wrote the book, The West Wing was just hitting the air - I had a character running for president named 'Bartlett' - they had a press named 'Bartlett.' The First Counsel has been done for almost a year and I easily could've changed it, but truthfully, I didn't want to change it for anyone. I've heard about coincidences between your book and other works of pop culture - not to mention real life. They're the ones who did most of the Secret tunnels, hidden doors and passageways, etc. Of course, the real itty-bitty-nitty-gritty was handed over by former Secret Service agents, who were really the best sources (and nicest guys) out there. Needless to say, they weren't a group that was willing to talk - except for one, who actually agreed.īeyond that, I also went to people who were nannies to First Daughters, White House staffers, people in the White House Counsel's Office - because I wanted to get that part realistic too - and anyone else I could find. What kind of research did you do for the book? What sort of 'inside sources' did you use?īrad Meltzer: Since the book is about a White House lawyer dating the President's daughter, I first went for all the Presidential daughters I could find. Within 2 weeks, though, people realized I wasn't there for the expose - I just wanted the fun stuff (where to eat, where to hide, how to sneak into the White House, etc). I read the article in the post about your book? Did you ever think of giving up because of the Lewinski mess?īrad Meltzer: I thought about it - I had sent up all these White House interviews - and the week I was supposed to go in, the Lewinsky fiasco exploded and every door slammed in my face. With us today is Brad Meltzer, author of 'The Tenth Justice' and 'Dead Even.' His new book, 'The First Counsel,' is about a lawyer who is dating the President's Daughter. Over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.

New York Times best selling author Brad Meltzer is online to discuss his new novel, what it means to be a writer and the legal thriller genre.Įditor's Note: moderators retain editorial control

Based on extensive research and interviews with White House insiders, including one First Daughter, the writing of his new book became a story itself. 'First Counsel' is available at īrad Meltzer's third and latest novel, The First Counsel, delves behind the walls of the White House and shows readers what it is like to date the President's daughter.

The First Counsel by Brad Meltzer