Travis McGee did not just "recover lost goods", it is important to note that Travis was a self described salvage operation. John D. MacDonald's talent was his ability to immerse you into that world.
'Authors Interactions' or 'Authors Encounters' by Otto Penzler would be an interesting book - - vignettes of all the meetings and correspondences good and bad with authors over the ages to see what generalizations can be made about this (maybe dwindling) breed and whether those traits change over the years.
John D wanted the hero of his series to have a name like Minnesota Fats or Tennessee Ernie Ford and had originally named him Dallas McGee but after the JFK murder Dallas was thought to have a negative connotation so Travis was chosen instead.
Any discussion of JDM really should focus more on his standalone novels because that his where the author’s writing mettle truly shines. Macdonald was loathe to write a series of books with a continuing character and only did so at the behest of his publisher.
Wonderful story! I am in awe.
Travis McGee did not just "recover lost goods", it is important to note that Travis was a self described salvage operation. John D. MacDonald's talent was his ability to immerse you into that world.
Really enjoy these shows, the best part for me is the chatting about what the authors were like as people.
'Authors Interactions' or 'Authors Encounters' by Otto Penzler would be an interesting book - - vignettes of all the meetings and correspondences good and bad with authors over the ages to see what generalizations can be made about this (maybe dwindling) breed and whether those traits change over the years.
John D wanted the hero of his series to have a name like Minnesota Fats or Tennessee Ernie Ford and had originally named him
Dallas McGee but after the JFK murder Dallas was thought to have a negative connotation so Travis was chosen instead.
Any discussion of JDM really should focus more on his standalone novels because that his where the author’s writing mettle truly shines. Macdonald was loathe to write a series of books with a continuing character and only did so at the behest of his publisher.
Come for the books, stay for the anecdotes
Take the book, leave the cannoli.
A master of his craft.
I was hoping there would be an audio interview with him somewhere.
Love these "fireside" chats Otto!
Bravo!
On a buying spree last few months. (Cheap 2nd hand paperbacks). Recently picked up the moving target and the drowning pool.
That’s Ross Macdonald not John D Macdonald.