Michael Blowhard writes:

Dear Blowhards --

I'm very glad to learn that the Western novelist Richard S. Wheeler has begun blogging. Go read, learn, enjoy -- and bookmark.

Some great stuff is heaping up already. Richard finally finds an XM station that suits him; he shares some shrewd and rueful thoughts about the fate of copyright; and he expresses skepticism about the idea that fiction-writing is a craft that can be taught.

As a novelist, Richard brings together many wonderful qualities: dignity and gravity; wit and experience; invention, sympathy, and imagination. Although he has only recently begun blogging, it's clear that he's bringing those same characteristics to bear on his online writing. It should go without saying that this combo is unusual and refreshing, especially in the buzzing and shallow electronic space that we all spend too much time surfing around in these days. It's a treat and a privilege to have easy access to such human, rounded, and warm-blooded writing. And did I mention brainy?

If you haven't done so already, be sure to check out some essays that Richard wrote for 2Blowhards. He shared some wisdom about writing and publishing; and he filed a report from a convention of the Western Writers of America. I raved about Richard's marvelous novel "Flint's Gift" here. Richard recently published a memoir, which you can buy here.

Best,

Michael

Michael, thank you for being such a good web-hound, keeping up with juicy new stuff as well as the blogging ventures of our readers. Richard Wheeler had plenty of interesting things to say in the items he's posted thus far. The one concerning former wife Rita was especially interesting -- that's the kind of experience I, and probably the others in a college "creative writing" course never had. No wonder our writing was superficial. There can be a high emotional price to pay to be a good or great writer.

Posted by: Donald Pittenger on January 18, 2008 5:33 PM

Gentlemen,

Thank you. Your kind thoughts come from the liveliest precincts around.

Posted by: Richard S. Wheeler on January 18, 2008 10:13 PM






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