Paul Schneider is the author of the critically acclaimed Brutal Journey, the highly praised The Enduring Shore, and The Adirondacks, a New York Times Book Review Notable Book. He and his wife, the photographer Nina Bramhall, and their son, Nathaniel, divide their time between Bradenton, Florida, and West Tisbury, Massachusetts.
Where are you from?Massachusetts
Who are your favorite writers?In no particular order and without a lot of thought: Thoreau, Matthiessen, McPhee, Mailer, Morrison, Just, Dillard, Theroux, Cervantes and that guy who wrote Moby Dick.
Which book/books have had the biggest influence on your writing?That’s hard, and changes constantly. Most recently, or at least regarding the writing of Bonnie and Clyde, it was probably The Executioner’s Song, by Norman Mailer.
What are your hobbies and outside interests?Surfing, Kayaking, Traveling, piano-noodling, tennis, tree pruning and stone wall maintaining.
What is the single best piece of advice anyone ever gave you?“Marry that girl.”
What is your favorite quote?Hmmm. In terms of writing? I propose a tie: “In the beginning was the word,” and “The End.” Or perhaps Thoreau’s “Simplify!”
What is the question most commonly asked by your readers? What is the answer? Do you have a schedule, do you write every day, to which if I’m honest the answer increasingly is no on both accounts.
What inspired you to write your first book?It grew out of a love of the out of doors and lot of work I was doing on wilderness issues, primarily for the National Audubon Society. “The Control of Nature,” by John McPhee played some role as well, as did conversations with my editor at Henry Holt, Jack Macrae.
Where do you write?Generally at my desk, either in West Tisbury, Mass, which is my home, or in Bradenton, Florida, which is my temporary residence.
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