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Mystery fiction was considered a stepchild of literature.

- Evan Hunter
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Author:
Evan Hunter
Tags:
Mystery
Literature
Fiction
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I know that all cops are not sterling characters. But you have to have someone to root for. I balance it with rotten cops who will take a bribe, who will beat somebody up.

I was a blond-haired kid with blue eyes, growing up in an Italian ghetto. I had a very high IQ. In elementary school, I skipped ahead twice. I was 10 years old when everyone else was 12.

I have a book coming out in September, for example, where the plot concerns counterfeiting, and I had to do a lot of research on that. Or on any legal matters, for example, I have to do a lot of research online.

I only knew one thing about policemen: they were inhuman beasts. The problem was how to turn them into likable, sympathetic human beings. The answer was simple. Give them head colds. And first names. And keep their dialogue homey and conversational.

I began using pseudonyms early in my career, when I was being paid a quarter a cent a word for my work, and when I had to write a lot to earn a living. Sometimes I had three or four stories in a single magazine without the editor knowing they were all by me.

I enjoy what I do every minute of the day, even when the going gets tough. When I first began writing, I used to work at a desk in the bedroom, of a small development house. My three sons all under the age of 3 would come running in and out of the room every minute.

It's hard to write an Evan Hunter novel because I really am starting from scratch. I'm assuming a new voice each time. The McBain voice is set.

My first wife kept calling me Sal, and I finally said to her, 'Why do you think I changed my name, honey? I really didn't like the old name.'

Depending on what I'm working on, I come to the writing desk with entirely different mindsets. When I change form one to the other, it's as if another writer is on the scene.

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Mystery fiction was considered a stepchild of literature.

Mystery fiction was considered a stepchild of literature.

Mystery fiction was considered a stepchild of literature.

Mystery fiction was considered a stepchild of literature.

Mystery fiction was considered a stepchild of literature.

Mystery fiction was considered a stepchild of literature.

Mystery fiction was considered a stepchild of literature.

Mystery fiction was considered a stepchild of literature.

Mystery fiction was considered a stepchild of literature.

Mystery fiction was considered a stepchild of literature.

Mystery fiction was considered a stepchild of literature.

Mystery fiction was considered a stepchild of literature.

Mystery fiction was considered a stepchild of literature.

Mystery fiction was considered a stepchild of literature.

Mystery fiction was considered a stepchild of literature.