Badass Writer of the Week: Rory Flynn

The nicest badass writer we know: Rory Flynn

By Sean Tuohy

Few authors can run through the seedy back alley of crime writing and come out clean on the other side like Boston-based author Rory Flynn.

A former punk rocker turned writer, Flynn takes his skewed view on the world and injects it into his novels. His first crime novel, Third Rail, features Harvard cop Eddy Harkness and grabs readers with a death grip from the opening line. Flynn is currently working on his second Harkness novel, which will be coming out soon. You can also check out work under his real name, Stona Finch, but we suggest keeping a light on...

But we’re not going to spoil everything here. If you want to learn more about Flynn, listen to our first interview at J.J. Foley's (below) and come join the Writer’s Bone crew at our live podcast recording with the author at Trident Booksellers and Cafe on June 25th at 7:00 p.m.

To learn more about Rory Flynn, visit his official website, like his Facebook page, or follow him on Twitter @MrRoryFlynn.

BADASS WRITERS OF THE WEEK ARCHIVE

Badass Writer Moment: David Simon Becomes Dirty Harry

David Simon

Starting with this post, Badass Writer of the Week will acknowledge a single badass moment in writing once a month. Feel free to makes suggestions in the comments section or tweet us at @WritersBone.

By Sean Tuohy

Most writers spend their work day at a desk typing out stories.

No thrills. No bang. No pop.

But every once in a while something happens to a writer during his work day that turns him or her in to a badass.

David Simon is considered to be a genius because, well, he is one. His television shows "The Wire" and "Treme" have changed the television landscape and his nonfiction books The Corner and Homicide: A Year On The Killing Streets have won every major award. Simon will be the first to admit that writing is not a thrilling job, but that doesn't mean it’s a complete snooze fest.

Simon's first book Homicide was written while he spent a year observing a homicide detective squad in Baltimore. For a year, Simon was a fly on the wall as he followed detectives to crime scenes, sat with them in the office, and ate doughnuts with them. During that year, Simon became very close to the detectives, but always kept himself away from the real danger. That is until one December day.

Simon writes in his author's note in Homicide that while riding with two detectives he "went native" and helped them during a shake down. The detectives spotted suspects on the street. They jumped from the car to stop them, but one detective got stuck in his seat shouted at Simon, who had his notepad and pen in hand in the back seat, "Go!" Simon jumped from the car and as one detective was busy with one suspect, Simon took the other, shoved him against a car, and then searched him. Yes, a reporter threw a citizen against a car and then searched him and did not get in trouble.

For that brief moment, David Simon, professional writer, became David Simon, tough guy cop.

BADASS WRITERS OF THE WEEK ARCHIVE