Mystery Writer, Sara Paretsky

Sara Paretsky is a game-changer. In 1982, Sara came out with her first V. I. Warshawski novel, Indemnity Only, now celebrating its 30th year in print. As difficult as it is to image today, when Sara wrote that book a women could never have been considered as a private investigator. Through the creation of the fiery and fiercely independent, Scotch-drinking Warshawski, Paretsky has played a part in changing the perception of the roles women could undertake.

Part of the large set of women who, in one generation only and virtually by themselves, made swift and lasting changes to the options for women in American society, Paretsky stood out on a ledge then by creating her raw and tough-as-nails Warshawski.

I caught up with Ms. Paretsky, in the video below, at the Chicago Literary Awards for Fear No ART and she explained exactly how Warshawski came to her one day and one of the ways that she played with developing her character. Enjoy.

And if you are looking for a good read for the new year, on January 3, 2012, Sara will come out with her 15th V I Warshawski novel, Breakdown.