David Guterson Biography

Like many great writers before him David Guterson draws on the rich local culture of the Pacific Northwest for inspiration in creating unforgettable characters and settings. Guterson credits many influences on his writing beginning with his father Murray Guterson a distinguished criminal defense lawyer: His father's example taught him first and foremost to choose a career he would love which also meant making positive contributions to the world. Guterson was intrigued by the narrative of his father's cases. He often sat in on trials but never felt the urge to become an attorney. When he started college after one week in a creative writing class he decided to become a writer. He eventually studied under Charles Johnson (author of Middle Passage) developing his ideas about the moral function of literature and concluded that it is the obligation of writers to present moral questions for reflection.
As Guterson honed his writing skills he investigated a variety of jobs that would afford him the time to practice his craft. He finally chose to become an English teacher mainly because he wanted to surround himself with great books and authors. He moved to Bainbridge Island in Puget Sound teaching at the local high school writing short stories and freelancing as a journalist for Sports Illustrated and Harper's magazine.

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