Mystery File has posted Ed Gorman’s 1980s interview with John D. MacDonald. Here’s one of MacDonald’s quotes:
"Professionally, I do not recall any particularly bad memories. The book which
just won’t jell. The editor who gets fired when you have half a book in his
shop. The clown who was taking my old pulp stories and changing the point of
view and selling them to Manhunt. I
began to learn my trade in late 1945. Had I begun ten years later, I would
never have had the chance to earn while learning. The short-story market was
sliding into the pits. Luck is being born at the right time. I had an agent
who kept me out of Hollywood despite some pretty offers. I was lucky to have a
man so wise. I decided against doing a series character in 1952. I had no good
reason. It was just a gut feeling. I didn’t start McGee until 1964. By then I
could avoid being trapped in the series. Saying no was the purest kind of luck."
I saw this on Crider’s blog this morning.
I’m not sure who was a bigger influence in me wanting to write – Graham Greene or John D. MacDonald.
I love MacDonald’s stuff and after reading this interview, went to ABEbooks and bought three first editions of his work.
I wish I’d been born about twenty years earlier than I was. Would have been great to be waiting for a new MacDonald to arrive at the bookstore.