Gary Paulsen

Who is Gary Paulsen

• Gary Paulsen was born on May 17, 1939 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
• He is an American writer, who has written over 200 books, most of which are set in the wilderness.
• Paulsen lives in La Luz, New Mexico with his wife, Ruth Wright Paulsen. She is an artist and has actually illustrated several of his books.

Gary Paulsen - The Author

• His most famous books are those in the Hatchet series, but he has published many other popular adventure novels including, Winterdance. It is the most popular book he has written about the Iditarod.

Paulsen is a 3 time runner-up for the Newbery medal. He also received the Margaret Edwards Award from the American Library Association in 1997.

Iditarod

• Paulsen competed in the 1983 and 1985 Iditarods. In 1990, due to heart problems, he gave up dogsledding and sold his dogs, which he has described as the most difficult thing he has ever done. After more than a decade spent sailing all over the Pacific, Paulsen got back into dogsledding in 2003.

Paulsen's interest in literature emerged in his teens. He went inside a library to get out of the frigid Minnesota winter. Immersing himself in books helped Paulsen deal with his rough home life. Both of his parents were alcoholics. Literature is still a constant release and way to work through things in his life today.

How Did Paulsen Become a Writer?

• At 15, Paulsen got his first job. He has worked a great number of jobs since then in an effort to support himself. He has been a migrant worker, soldier, field engineer, driver, and an adult magazine editor. He used his time as an editor to learn how to write. In 1966, he published his first book, Some Birds Don't Fly.

Gary Paulsen - The Outdoorsman

• Paulsen claims that he writes best when using the knowledge from his various life experiences, especially those learned as an outdoorsman. He was a hunter, trapper, and a two-time competitor in the 1,049 mile Iditarod dog sled race.

Paulsen's Theme

• A majority of Paulsen's work involves outdoor settings that showcase the importance of nature. He often uses a coming of age theme in his work.
• In his most famous book, Hatchet, the main character, Brian, masters the art of survival in isolation. This experience serves as a right of passage to manhood.

Books by Gary Paulsen
-Mr. Tucket
-Tiltawhirl John
-The Foxman
-Compkill
-Dogsong
-Sentries
-Hatchet
-Murphy's Gold
-The Voyage of the Frog
-The Winter Room
-Woodsong
-Canyons
-The River
The Cookcamp
-The Haymeadow
-the Return

"I sit down every day, and I write until the words blur on the page or I can’t feel my butt. Then, I know it’s time to do something else."

References

• Fuller, A. (2016, September 16). Gary Paulsen Interview. Retrieved March 9, 2019, from https://acfuller.com/gary-paulsen-interview/
• Edwards, T. (2013, May 23). Gary Paulsen. Retrieved March 9, 2019, from https://www.biblio.com/gary-paulsen/author/107