a car chase or a shootout makes it seem like you're
right there."
Patterson's next book is to be released sometime
next summer and it will be even more real and personal to Ryan since it will feature a character named
"Bo Kellner."
Patterson donated two character names for an auction at
the Badger Desert Classic golf
event in Las Vegas and UW
alum Ted Kellner won one of
the bids. On the flight home,
he and Ryan formed a partnership.
The stipulation was that
Ryan would share in the naming rights if he made a donation in Kellner's name to Coaches vs. Cancer, a cause
close to Ryan's heart. Thus, the creation of Bo Kellner.
James Patterson wouldn't give away too much on
the character.
"I really haven't pinned that down yet," he said.
"It's probably going to be a guy who half the time
he's saintly and the other time he's a serial killer, I
don't know."
Truth is, he found Ryan to be "absolutely delightful" upon meeting him for the
first time.
"I have to tell you," Patterson
said after his round of golf with
Ryan, "I've never been with a
person I didn't know and been
more comfortable. It was absolutely terrific.
"We saw a side of him never
seen by Big Ten referees or opposing coaches. He's a great
storyteller, he's very charming, he's very down to
earth, he's very modest. It was great. We loved it."
There was one hang-up, predictably so, knowing
Ryan's tight grip on trade secrets.
"I HAVE TO TELL YOU," PATTERSON
SAID AFTER HIS ROUND OF GOLF
WITH RYAN, "I'VE NEVER BEEN
WITH A PERSON I DIDN'T KNOW
AND BEEN MORE COMFORTABLE.
IT WAS ABSOLUTELY TERRIFIC."
40
//
VARSITY September 26, 2013
