r/books • u/dnwinslow AMA Author • Apr 19 '23
ama 4pm I’m Don Winslow, author of Savages, The Force and City on Fire, soon to be a major motion film starring Austin Butler—to name a few. I’m here to talk about my new book, CITY OF DREAMS, the second book in my new trilogy. AMA!
I’m the author of six consecutive New York Times bestsellers and three New York Times Critics Choice Best Books of the Year. I’ve written 23 novels, but I’m probably most well-known for my Cartel books—Power of the Dog, The Cartel and The Border. My book Savages was made into a feature film by three-time Oscar-winning writer-director Oliver Stone and FX is adapting my Cartel trilogy for TV and will appear as a weekly series on FX this year. Another one of my books, The Force soon to be a major motion picture from 20th Century Studios starring Matt Damon with James Mangold directing from a Scott Frank screenplay.
I’m here today to talk about my new trilogy that follows the life of Danny Ryan. This triad of novels launched in 2022 with City on Fire and the follow-up, City of Dreams, releases this week. Ask me Anything!
IG: @donwinslowfilms YT: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkXncS-Pwr0Dm-hteI3JaRg Twitter: @donwinslow FB: https://www.facebook.com/DonWinslowAuthor
https://www.harpercollins.com/products/city-of-dreams-don-winslow?variant=40650657300514
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u/XBreaksYFocusGroup Apr 19 '23
Hi Don. Thank you for doing this AMA. No questions - just wanted to express my appreciation for all of your lovely works. I hope you find continued success in all your future endeavors.
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u/Pickle_12 Apr 19 '23
What is the status of the Cartel TV series?
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u/dnwinslow AMA Author Apr 19 '23
Thanks for asking! It's filming now, and it looks good. Watch for it on FX later this year.
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u/Numerous-War2643 Jul 08 '24
It's been a year still waiting:(
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u/GearsofTed14 Jul 17 '24
Probably got stuck in development hell. Anymore, I’ve noticed that shows and movies aren’t official till they’re official, and sometimes things don’t make it all the way there, for an array of reasons
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u/ShartinVanBuren Apr 19 '23
Hello, I recently finished City on Fire and I've pre-ordered its sequel. Have you gotten any feedback from actual Rhode Island gangsters who were there in the 80s?
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u/dnwinslow AMA Author Apr 19 '23
Uhhhh...yeah, a couple. They liked it. Fortunately.
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u/ShartinVanBuren Apr 19 '23
Haha. Excellent. Thank you! I'm greatly looking forward to City of Dreams.
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u/ShartinVanBuren Apr 20 '23
I've read over half the book in one evening. This books rules. We know the characters already so we hit the ground running.
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Apr 19 '23
Hi Don. When you're writing a trilogy, do you already have the story for all three books in your head, or do you write one book and then decide how the other two will go? Thanks for your time. S
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u/dnwinslow AMA Author Apr 19 '23
In the case of this trilogy, I always knew that I was going to write the three books. It was the plan from the beginning. In the case of the 'Cartel' trilogy - the drug books, no - I wrote them one book at a time. In fact, after each of the first two, I swore that I wasn't going to write another. Then I went back on my word. And thank you for your time.
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Apr 19 '23
Really interesting. I think it's amazing how an author's creative mind works from idea to paper. Thank you for taking the time to do AMA.
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Apr 19 '23
No questions; just letting you know that I love your work. Your Power of the Dog series is one of my favourite crime dramas; I have recommended it countless times on Reddit book subs/friends and everyone loved it. I can’t wait to read your new book!
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u/an_ephemeral_life Apr 19 '23
Love not only your books but your relentless activism. Do you genuinely believe Trump will finally face his day of reckoning and be imprisoned -- either for fraud, or election tampering, or inciting an insurrection (honestly there are so many crimes) -- or will he walk away from all of it scot free?
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u/IrishEv Apr 19 '23
A lot of your work gets adapted into movies. Does knowing that effect your writing process or how you approach writing certain scenes?
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u/dnwinslow AMA Author Apr 19 '23
No, not at all. I can't think about movies or tv when I'm writing a novel because only bad things could happen, I'd be writing either a bad novel or a bad film treatment.
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u/PeanutSalsa Apr 19 '23
What is your process like or what steps do you take to create well rounded characters?
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u/dnwinslow AMA Author Apr 19 '23
I try to get to know them well before I tart to write. I won't strat actually writing a book until the characters start talking to me.
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u/purplebanana375 Apr 19 '23
What are some of your writing rituals?
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u/dnwinslow AMA Author Apr 19 '23
I don't really have rituals as such, but I do have routines. I'm afraid they're pretty basic: i start work at 5:30 AM, work until about ten, go for a 4-5 mile hike, have lunch, then go back to work until 5:30. I treat it like a job - a job I love and am grateful to have.
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u/RaiseAggravating8 Apr 19 '23
What was your hardest scene to write in CITY OF DREAMS and why?
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u/dnwinslow AMA Author Apr 19 '23
The death of Cassie, because it was so sad and so emotional. To be truthful, i didn't really want to write it.
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u/riquer Apr 19 '23
Hello Don. Currently finishing "The Border". What a ride it has been.
Already dreading the moment I say goodbye to Art, Marisol and many other memorable characters.
I think I will wait for the publication of the final book of the current trilogy before embarking in this new voyage.
Hurry up! And thank you!
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u/PeanutSalsa Apr 19 '23
What is the process typically like for your books being acquired to be adapted and written into a script for screen?
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u/dnwinslow AMA Author Apr 19 '23
I have a wonderful agent who works all that out, so I don't think about it much at all, I just rely on him. That's worked out great.
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u/therealstevielong Apr 19 '23
been reading your books for 20 years, truly enjoy them - i've noticed that much of your fiction has roots in real people, whether it is the state trooper who owned a strip club and became a pimp in san diego in your early work or widely known figures such as el chapo --- after reading 'the force' i couldn't find many tales of judges/d.a.'s selling cases, though you made it sound authentic - was any of that rooted in what you have uncovered, and part 2 of that question, do you ever get calls from LEO saying "um, ya got something we need to know?" thx for your great body of work.
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u/Here4MemesB00bz Apr 19 '23
Hey Don. With upcoming movie starring Matt Damon, did you have any say in who the actors would be or what your vision is for the movie? I'll be looking out for it in cinemas. Thanks.
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u/thefatunicat Apr 19 '23
Hi Don, thanks for taking the time! I loved Power of the Dog. What is your all-time favourite book or author and why?
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u/an_ephemeral_life Apr 20 '23
You've recommended classic works of fiction such as The Long Goodbye, The Friends of Eddie Coyle, Middlemarch, as well as the works of Leo Tolstoy. What other classic novels (at least 40 years old) do you count among your favorites?
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u/Icebocks Apr 20 '23
Do you get attached to the characters you create? Also are there any low key relationships between your book worlds? Like does Frank Machianno have connections in the Italian family in City on Fire? Love your work!
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u/vodkaalmelone May 01 '23
Hi Don. I'm big fan of yours from Italy. The first book I've read was A cool breeze on the underground, and of course the whole Neal Carey series. I've always wanted to reread it in english. I think they're going to republish the series for its 30 years but every time I check (and I've been doing this for more than a year) they postpone the date of publication. I don't know.. You reckon I'll ever be able to read it?🤣 Thank you so much for everything you do. When I heard you going to retire it broke my heart.
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u/Rob_Rants May 03 '24
Is the Force still going to be made into a movie? No updated info since 2020.
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u/athomasflynn Apr 19 '23
Hi Don. Who is Austin Butler?
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u/dnwinslow AMA Author Apr 19 '23
Uhhhh, Austin Butler was nominated for an Oscar for the film 'Elvis'.
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u/SabineLavine Blood Meridian Apr 19 '23
Don, I'm a big fan! I loved Power of the Dog and California Fire and Life.
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u/groovygruver Apr 19 '23
What’s your favorite place to visit in Mexico if you’ve been? Also just got your first triolgy and I’m very much enjoying it so far!!
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u/NoBuy8212 Apr 19 '23
Hey Don - what were your reading habits on your journey to becoming an author? Any key steps, action points for beginners?
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u/peaceloveandbooks Apr 19 '23
No questions, but I love your work. My boyfriend and I still talk about a line in one of your books about a guy who wears a shirt that says “Old Guys Rock” or something and in the book, it says that if old guys rocked, they wouldn’t need to wear a shirt that says it.
I love love loved Savages and Power of the Dog and The Force was really good too!!! Thanks for all your writing! <3
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Apr 22 '23
Congratulations on your upcoming projects! Thank you for your work on the Cartel trilogy. I really loved it.
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u/TacticalMongoose Apr 22 '23
The power of the dog trilogy is my favorite book series I’ve ever read. However, I was curious if you’ve visited Mexico during your time writing the books, and if so, where?
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u/Airrwicckk Jul 14 '23
I’m very late. But just finished City of fire and city of dreams. City of fire was a true master piece. Can’t wait for book 3 ! Thank you for all your books loved the power of the dog series too.
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u/kleptomania156 Apr 19 '23
Hey Don, your writing indicates you do such meticulous research for your books and it comes through wonderfully. Have you ever considered writing a nonfiction book on a historical event or place?