On so many books I read descriptions that tell me the author has climbed seven mountains in the Himalayas or backpacked the length of Africa or first built a car from spare parts at the age of seven. When I see this I always think: And?
Really, what does an author's life have to do with how well they can write a story? Yes. they may have swum with sharks and can breath fire, but what baring does that have on their ability to write an exciting story? I just find it all a little bit stupid.
I don't want my authors to be people who have reached the North and South Pole and can talk the language of geese. I want my authors be freaks who spend 23 hours a day in a windowless room where they write story ideas all over the walls, floor and ceiling and shun contact with other people. I want to read stories by people who don't understand the world they live in and so write to escape in.
I don't want to read stories by happy people. I don't trust happy people.