Ben Fountain is just a typical guy who quit his big-firm associate gig to become a stay-at-home dad, make dozens of visits to Haiti and write a critically acclaimed short-story collection.
On his way to becoming a writer, Fountain practiced law in Dallas as an associate with Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld. But he left the firm in January 1988 when his wife, Sharon, made partner at Thompson & Knight. Fountain quit to stay home with his son but also to free up time to write. He realized he would never have any peace in his life without making a go at his lifelong dream of being a writer.
