Confessions of a Writer of Westerns
February
7, 2022
It’s
that time of year again. Oh, and what time is that? When politicians, actors,
and other famous people list all their favorite books of the year. I often take
these lists with a grain of salt, as in, I doubt they read many if any of the
books listed. Lucky for all you readers, I am not going to glean from their
lists and come up with a must-read list of my own. Today, I will mention a few
of my favorite reads from this past year.
Instead
of listing everything I read or the number of books I read in 2021 (I have no
idea if I could make an accurate list). Here is my favorite, fiction,
nonfiction, just for fun, and writing book of the year.
My
favorite fiction read of the year was C.J. Box’s Dark Sky,
another
in his best-selling Joe Pickett series. I have read them all, and if you have
not read any, take a look. All of them are terrific reads. These books are
modern-day western mysteries all set mainly in Wyoming.
My
favorite nonfiction read of the year is now on my list of all-time favorite
nonfiction books. This book, Short Nights of the Shadow Catcher: The Epic
Life and Immortal Photographs of Edward Curtis, written by Timothy Eagan,
has been out since 2013. Surprised I had not gotten around to it until last
year. This one feeds my love of history and photography and gives readers a
look at one man’s passion for a lifelong project. This book is a terrific read
that includes many famous Curtis photos.
Each
year I read a fair number of, what I call, just for fun books. My favorite in
2021 was Steve Hockensmith’s – Holmes on the Range. This one is just
what it sounds like, a lover of Sherlock Holmes solving cases in the old-west
like Holme’s did in far-off London.
Lastly,
my favorite writing book of the year was – Ta-da! Self-Editing for Fiction
Writers, Second Edition: How to Edit Yourself Into Print, by Renni Browne
and Dave King. This one has been around for almost twenty years. Not sure how
much earlier the first edition came out. I see this book as a must-have for all
writers, whether traditional or self-published.
There
you have it- my list of favorite books I read in 2021.
Reading – Still working my way
through a couple of books I started two weeks ago. I did read through Gurney’s
Seed & Nursery Co’s spring 2022 seed catalog. That is a sure sign that I am
now officially anxious for spring.
Writing Tip – “The very best thing you can
do for good dialogue is never, ever to explain it.” (from Self-Editing for
Fiction Writers) Oddly if I were to edit
the above line, I would take out very and ever to. Neither makes the sentence
stronger. Now that’s pretty strange. Still a good tip. 😊
Weather – Another great week here
in east-central Wyoming. A few days in the 50s are coming soon. I Might get out
on the golf course sometime this week. It definitely will be an excellent week
to go out with one of my cameras.
Quote of the day – It’s none of their business that you have to
learn to write. Let them think you were born that way.” Ernest Hemingway
Today’s Photos – From
my walks over the past few days
Click the
link to see all of my books on Amazon
Have a great week. Keep on reading, and keep on
writing!
