Jon Hassler / Biographical Information

Born in Minnesota on March 30, 1933.

Lived in Staples and Plainview -- both small towns.

Raised strictly in the Catholic Church, but is less devout now.

Received a B.A. degree from St. John’s University in 1955 (22 years old).

Taught for 10 years as a high school English teacher in Melrose, Fosston, and Park Rapids.

Accepted a college teaching position at Bemidji State University in 1965 (32 years old).

Moved to Brainerd Community College in 1968 (35 years old) because writing novels was more important to him than obtaining a Ph.D.

Began to write seriously at age 37. Began with the short story genre. Published 6 stories in his first 3 years and got 85 rejection slips. During this time he was teaching himself to write. He later switched to the novel because he liked the “larger canvas” -- relying on character to drive and develop plot.

Received a Guggenheim Fellowship in 1980 (47 years old) and spent the year at St. John’s University completing The Love Hunter.

Stayed on at St. John’s University as a part-time professor and writer-in-residence after the Guggenheim ran out.

Was 60 years old in 1993 and was working on his tenth novel. At that time, he was writing 7 days a week, 7 a.m. to noon. He said he takes 2 years to complete a novel, and he writes 3-4 drafts of each novel. He then takes a few months off to recharge.

Became a professor of literature and creative writing, and also a writer-in-residence, at St. John’s University.

Is divorced, the father of 3 adult children, and lives in Minneapolis with his new wife, Gretchen, to whom he dedicated Dear James.

Says that writing cannot be taught even though he taught writing. He learned to write from John Cheever by reading John Cheever. He also admires Richard Hugo.

The Love Hunter was sold to Robert Redford and 20th Century Fox in 1981 -- but they shelved it.

A Green Journey was made into a TV movie, “The Love She Sought,” starring Angela Lansbury and was shown in 1990 and 1993.

Was 65 years old in 1998. At that time, he said that “most books have a foundation in different parts of my life.” He called himself a “compulsive reviser.” Of his characters, he said that “the characters go out and make friends and then I meet the friends my characters have made.” He said both his titles and his structures “come to me.” He knows the characters before he begins writing. He believes that all of his male leads are all the same person.

Has honorary Ph.D.’s from Norte Dame and University of North Dakota.

Was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in the late 1990’s but has continued to write ever since -- he is now diagnosed with Multiple System Atrophy.

Official Website is at home.comcast.net/~ktebo/index.htm

The Jon Hassler Theater is in Plainview, Minnesota -- telephone at 507-534-2900 or 866-JHT-SHOW -- website at www.jonhasslertheater.org -- he has turned Simon’s Night and Grand Opening into plays, which this theater sometimes produces.

Staggerford = Park Rapids, MN

Sandhill Reservation = Pondsford Reservation

Rookery = Bemidji, MN

Plum = Plainview, MN