John Grisham: When were you happiest?

Originally asked

The Guardian, to a different person each week, The Q&A

Asked in 52 of the 131 consecutive instalments of The Guardian's The Q&A harvested on 2026-08-29.

You answer as yourself. Nobody on FLAPSS answers as anybody else.

Recorded John Grisham said elsewhere, not written here

This morning. I had a typical day: got up early, took the dog for a walk, went to the gym for an hour, then wrote for four hours. That makes me a very happy person.

The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 19 December 2015 source ↗

Others on this question

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Sebastian Coe British athlete and politician

When I am with my four children.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 27 July 2012 source ↗

Anthony Hopkins Welsh actor

Right where I am now.

Recorded Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, February 2010 source ↗

Bonnie Raitt Singer and guitarist

As a kid, my summers at camp in the Adirondacks. And as an adult, when I’m onstage.

Recorded Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, September 2022 source ↗

Andrea Martin

St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto: 8:31 A.M., July 1, 1981; 8:29 A.M., May 4, 1983.

Recorded Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, April 2017 source ↗

More from John Grisham

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Question What most recently made you cry? Identity & self

When my mom died, on 18 January this year.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 19 December 2015 source ↗

Question Which teacher, parent, coach or friend most made you who you are, and what did you learn from them? Relationships

I had the benefit of some very good high school English teachers. One in particular when I was a senior in high school. I was a jock, okay. I was not a student. Although I enjoyed reading, that was about it as far as academics. But she forced us to read good books and good writers, particularly good American writers. We weren’t too thrilled to do it initially, but she taught us how to do it. Through that, I discovered some of my favorite authors, particularly John Steinbeck. Once I had gone through all of Steinbeck’s books, I realized that I had had a wonderful experience.

Recorded Academy of Achievement interview source ↗