I wrote my first story in the fourth grade, about a Wisconsin family in the early-1900’s with the first car on the block. And I knew then that I wanted to be a writer.
By my mid-twenties, I was getting published in everything from business and trade publications to New York Newsday. I’m now the author/co-author of 18 published books, and the author of more than 1,200 newspaper and magazine articles. And my work has garnered me a lot of honors – some of them multiple times.
In pursuit of “The Story,” I’ve been a cowboy in Arizona. Jumped into an alligator pit in the Everglades. Flown World War II fighter planes in aerial “combat.” Climbed up to nearly 15,000 feet in the Rockies and the Alps. Explored ice caves in Switzerland. Trekked glaciers in Alaska. Eaten cockroaches in Mexico. Gone on an expedition to the Arctic Circle. Hiked the Appalachian Trail. Rowed numerous times with local “lads” on Scotland’s Loch Ness, in hopes of seeing the Loch Ness Monster. Climbed the Rio Grande Gorge in New Mexico, and encountered an extremely-rare black jaguar (thankfully, on the other side of the narrow gorge!). Explored France on a riverboat. Came face-to-face with a bear at midnight in the Rockies. And been thrown out of a reception given by Queen Elizabeth.
I’ve had some incredible adventures, and met many unforgettable people. Through it all, I’ve been lucky enough to do what still gives me the greatest joy – telling stories. And I still tremble – with both trepidation and anticipation – every time I sit down to write in front of a blank computer screen.
- Steve Winston