My father, in winter hybernating mode, is going through boxes of papers under his desk. Pop writes: “Finding this long-lost piece of literature is the pay for digging into the past. I do not know how old Alice was when she wrote this, but she was married in 1943, at age 27. She signed it…
I first became acquainted with Susan Tweit through Women Writing the West. Last Spring, in Texas, at the Story Circles conference “Land Full of Stories” I finally got to hear her speak, and chat with her and her artist-husband for a bit. Susan is a strong, clear, dedicated, and delightful writer. You can learn more…
In the early 1960s I was captivated by John Wieners’ THE HOTEL WENTLEY POEMS (Auerhahn Press, San Francisco, 1958). I memorized those poems. Their appeal was so strong I felt compelled to search book stalls in New York City on Fourth Avenue, in the West Village, on the Upper West Side for other poems he…
Karim Khan (writing under the pen name Ernest Dempsey) has appeared on Riehlife before for a three-day spread when we discussed his book of brilliantly warped short-shorts called “The Biting Age.” Now he has a new book of poetry out titled “Islands of Illusion” and one of his poems is even being considered for nomination…
To all of my good friends in Exeter. I applaud your efforts, and share your hopes and dreams!—Erwin A. Thompson Exeter – An old historic town, Its roots deep in the past of Illinois. Born in eighteen twenty three It’s had its share of sadness, and of joy. A thriving town, When Bluffs and Jacksonville…
This spring my story “Driving Lessons” won Bronze Award for Family Travel in the First Annual Solas Awards sponsored by Travelers Tales. If you missed “Driving Lessons” the first time, read it on the Travelers Tale site by clicking here for “Janet Riehl’s Flying Carpet Tales”. Their tagline for the story is “The lessons of…
Last summer Dale Harris attended my talk “Show Me the Way to Go Home” at the Harwood Art Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico and invited me to be a featured reader forthe 2007 Poets and Writers Picnic. I was only too happy to say “Yes!” (Click here to read my talk “Show Me the Way…
While I’m away in New Mexico, I’m leaving you in the capable hands of two sister members of Women Writiing the West. For the first four days, enjoy the wisdom of Guest Blogger Janet Muirhead Hill, author of the Miranda and Starlight series of six books and Danny’s Dragon, a story of wartime loss. As…
If I am not a Glimmer, So I have to be a Shimmer. And if I am not a Shimmer, I must be a Himmer. And if I am not a Himmer, I must be a Jimmer. And if I am not a Jimmer, I must be a Chimmer. And if I am not a…
While Arletta Dawdy researched her book HUACHUCA WOMAN, she read widely about the Mexican Revolution, visited Columbus, New Mexico and learned to admire Pancho Villa. Arletta says, “Many controversies whirled around the man, including tales of his sister’s fate and his response. Variously, we are told the hacendado came to claim her and Doroteo Arango…