Don Winslow
Don Winslow | |
---|---|
Born |
New York, New York | October 31, 1953
Occupation | Novelist, screenwriter |
Nationality | American |
Education | Master of Arts |
Alma mater | University of Nebraska–Lincoln |
Period | 1991–present |
Genres | Crime fiction, mystery fiction, historical fiction |
Notable work(s) | Neal Carey Mysteries |
Spouse(s) | Jean Winslow (m. 1985–present) |
Children | 1 son |
www.donwinslow.com |
Don Winslow is an American author most recognized for his crime and mystery novels. Many of his books are set in California. He has published a series of five novels that have a private investigator named Neal Carey as their main character. Savages has attracted critical acclaim, with the New York Times describing it as a "startling bid for attention".[1]
He has written the screenplays for Savages, Satori and other adaptations of his novels with screenwriter/producer Shane Salerno.
Early life
Winslow was born in New York City on Halloween night, 1953,[2] but grew up in Perryville, a beach town near the village of Matunuck, Rhode Island.[3][4][5] He credits his parents for preparing him to become a writer: his mother was a librarian, and his father was a non-commissioned officer in the United States Navy who told stories and invited Navy friends around who told more. They inspired Winslow to become a storyteller himself.[4] He majored in African History at the University of Nebraska.[2]
Career
Winslow explored many forms of career and study before he became a career writer. In the late 1970s, he moved back to New York City, first working as manager of a chain of movie theaters, then as a private investigator in movie theaters and the back alleys of Times Square. He went back to school to earn a master's degree in Military History, led safaris in Kenya and hiking trips in China's Sichuan province. His first published novel, A Cool Breeze on the Underground (1991) was written during this time. It was the first of a series of books about investigator Neal Carey, and was nominated for an Edgar award. Winslow's career as an investigator would repeatedly bring him to California, to look into arson cases; his storytelling skills helped in explaining cases to juries. In the mid-1990s, he moved to California with his wife Jean and their infant son, Thomas, and kept writing when he could. His thriller The Death and Life of Bobby Z (1997), was a success, and allowed him to become a full-time writer.[4] They live in Julian, California.[2][5]
In 2007 Bobby Z was turned into a film starring Paul Walker and Laurence Fishburne. Winslow himself wrote the adaptation of Savages into a film of the same name with Oliver Stone directing.
Writing process
Winslow says that he writes every day from 5:30 to 10:00 in the morning and then hikes six or seven miles before returning to work. He generally works on two books at a time, moving to the other when work on the first stalls. He says the longest he has gone without writing after a book is completed is five days; he calls it an addiction.[2][5][6]
The time it takes him to write a book varies. The Death and Life of Bobby Z was written on the train between Dana Point, California and Los Angeles, one chapter per trip.[2][4] The Power of the Dog took six years to research and write, including traveling to Mexico to interview people with similar experiences as its characters.[7]
Fiction
- 1991: A Cool Breeze on the Underground (Neal Carey Mysteries)
- 1992: The Trail to Buddha's Mirror (Neal Carey Mysteries)
- 1993: Way Down on the High Lonely (Neal Carey Mysteries)
- 1994: A Long Walk Up the Water Slide (Neal Carey Mysteries)
- 1996: While Drowning in the Desert (Neal Carey Mysteries)
- 1996: Isle of Joy (A Winter Spy under the pseudonym MacDonald Lloyd)
- 1997: The Death and Life of Bobby Z
- 1999: California Fire and Life
- 2005: The Power of the Dog
- 2006: The Winter of Frankie Machine
- 2008: The Dawn Patrol
- 2009: The Gentlemen's Hour
- 2010: Savages[8]
- 2011: Satori
- 2012: The Kings of Cool [9]
Non-fiction
- 2004: Looking for a Hero (with Peter Maslowski), ISBN 978-0-8032-3244-0 [10]
Scripts and Screen Plays
- Alexander Hamilton: In Worlds Unknown (script and film; New York Historical Society)
References
- ↑ Janet Maslin (July 7, 2010). "Books of The Times – New-Wave Drug Dealers in Don Winslow's Savages". New York Times. Retrieved 8 July 2010.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 "Hi. My name is Don Winslow, and I'm a writing addict", by John Wilkens, San Diego Union-Tribune, June 8, 2008. Retrieved July 07, 2010.
- ↑ "Bio", Don Winslow's Official Website. Retrieved July 07, 2010.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 "Surfing shamus", by Scott Timberg, June 09, 2008, Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 07, 2010.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "Don Winslow on Surf Noir, Appeal Of Crime Fiction", by Jeffrey A. Trachtenbert, May 23, 2008, Wall Street Journal. Retrieved July 07, 2010.
- ↑ "Crime writer considers US war on drugs", Kerry O'Brien, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, broadcast 31/05/2007. Retrieved July 07, 2010.
- ↑ "Inside the war on drugs", by Regis Behe, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, May 8, 2005. Retrieved July 07, 2010.
- ↑ Savages at Simon & Schuster.
- ↑ The Kings of Cool at Simon & Schuster.
- ↑ "Looking for a Hero" University of Nebraska press. Retrieved July 7, 2010.
External links
- Don Winslow's Website
- The Death And Life Of Bobby Z on amazon.com
- "When New-Wave Drug Dealers Run Afoul of an Old-Wave Cartel", Janet Maslin, The New York Times, 7 July 2010
- Don Winslow in Barcelona, speech and interview in Canal-L, channel of books and literature