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Last Thursday night, I was fortunate to receive a fresh whiff of inspiration. Not only on the craft of writing, but on living as a writer.
Rick Steber graced our monthly COWG [Central Oregon Writers Guild] meeting with stories and a personality as grand as a Hemingway novel. Like a throw back to authors that were, to another age, to what we should be, he spoke of his journey and what brought him to what he does.
He writes in a log cabin in the Ochoco mountains, penning beautiful lines to commemorate lives in the west, saving bits of the old west before it disappears for good. Then he spoke of these humble folks and their stories as rich as any Hollywood movie, as beautiful as any literary award-winning novel.
The way he spoke matched the words he writes. I look forward to reading the novel I bought that night, and I had a hard time choosing. A lot of folks did. He’s written 30+ and found a way to make a living at this writing gig. You can find out more about him HERE
I don’t write westerns, and I’m not a western native, but I love the west and it colors the stories I do write. Oregon is as much a character in my stories as anything else. It rises from ash and dust to find a new home among the stars or in a different realm, but it is Oregon.
They say to write what you love. Rick certainly does, and I realized that I do, too. The west somehow seeps into bones. I breathe it. I’m grateful for it and that I call it home. This place is so rich in people, character, history, nature, and vistas.
From volcanoes and great geological activity, Oregon has risen from the ashes, and I transported it to the stars. What’s inspired you lately?
This is my contribution both to Jessica McKendry’s From the Ashes hop and Celebrate the Small Things.
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From the Ashes
Jaina Indera has been preparing her entire life for the chance to prove herself a superior and loyal citizen of the Imperial Alliance. In order to do so, she believes she must win the galaxy-wide competition known as the Trials. With training at her Gifted School progressing swiftly, everything looks like it is on pace for her to achieve her dream…until a boy named Dragon enrolls in her class.
Available from Amazon
Find out more at www.jessicamckendry.com
Celebrate the Small Things
Every Friday, Vicklit of Scribblings of an Aspiring Author hosts the celebrate the small things blog hop.
Besides my encounter with Rick last week, I’m grateful to everyone who helped me get the word out about my new book this week.
And very grateful to my awesome fans. Rob, I’m glad you loved this book as much as I did.
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Congrats to Jessica! I wish you mega sales and success!
Have a great weekend everybody!
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That’s a romantic vision – writing in the mountains. Glad you got the inspiration.
Sounds like a fascinating person to have a conversation with.
You don’t meet many authors like him! Excellent entry for Jess’ blogfest.
That’s a beautiful photo of nature. So breathtaking.
I love how you worked in Jess’s title to your feelings of Oregon. :) The picture is beautiful. We’re hoping to visit Oregon sometime this year.
Rick sounds like a fascinating man.
Wow, he does have a lot of books out there. I took a look over at his site before commenting. I’m totally intrigued by the “Tales of the West” series!
Wow, what a great experience that must have been. Even though I’ve only been to parts of The West, I love it and love reading about it. There’s no doubt that is something special about it that is different than the rest of the country.
Congrats on an awesome launch for Boomtown! Have a great weekend. :)
Boredom is good for writing, Tonja. I can see how a cabin would help a writer be productive.
He was fascinating, Summer
No. I’ve seen them in movies and read about them, Alex, but never met one before.
Thank you, Jackie. I think I took that two years ago.
I love this state, but wish it’d remain a secret, Kathy. That’s part of it’s charm.
He gets all of his stories from real people, Holly. That’s the part that’s truly fascinating.
It is an awesome place. Thank you, Julie.
Well, you know I’m a Colorado girl. I love my mountains and western heritage, though I don’t go in much for cowboy hats. :P But, yes, of course it colors our writing. Hard to ignore those mountains and how very small AND large they make you feel at the same time. :))
Happy Friday!
Rick sounds like an interesting guy to sit and listen to. Lucky you, Mary. Oregon is so pretty – haven’t been there in years:)
He looks like he’d fit in with the whole Jackson Hole, Dick Cheney crowd.
Sounds like a great person to meet!
Yours was a beautiful contribution!
It was great seeing your book everywhere. I’m posting about it next week.
I’m not into Westerns, but I’m fascinated with the beauty and richness of the land. I’ve only been on the west coast twice and want to go again and again.
I find a lot of comfort in feeling so small, LG. I wonder why that is.
He was very interesting. I enjoyed meeting him, Gwen.
Don’t know about that, Michael. His knowledge of local history intrigued me.
He was, Vikki.
Thank you, Lee.
Thank you, Medeia. I had never been west of the Mississippi until we moved here. There’s nothing like those wide open spaces ringed by snow-capped peaks.
He sounds like someone who would inspire writers! I’m glad you got to meet him.
I love your photo of the snow-covered mountain and lake. It looks like volcanic rock there in the foreground. Beautiful!
Rick sounds like a person with a wealth of knowledge… someone you could learn from!
That landscape picture is beautiful… it takes your breath away!
Thanks for the comment! Your blog is so fun :) Excited about the hop!
Great post Mary! Just looking at the man; it is apparent that he has many stories to tell. I love the west, especially the “old west.” I’m going to check him out! Thanks for the tip…
That is lava, Laura. We’ve got lots of lava.
It looks even better in person, Michelle. Rick does have a wealth of knowledge. Interesting guy.
Nice to see you, Katelin.
Yes, he does, Pat. I think you’d enjoy him.
Sounds like an awesome and inspiring writing evening! The West certainly has enough character to fill out a story. I’m a transplant to Montana and just leaning this–it’s pretty amazing!
I love Oregon, having lived there for over 30 years (now I’m in CA)! My WIP is set in Oregon…it’s not the first novel I’ve set there, either. Sounds great to memorialize the West–excellent!
Sounds like am inspiring man. It’s cool that even though you don’t write directly about your surroundings, they’ve still seeped into your work somehow.
I found the west a shock at first, Meradeth. Now I’d never live anywhere else. Hope you’re enjoying Montana.
I love it, too, Carol :) I thought you were still here. Hope you’re enjoying CA
Some of my books have Oregon directly, Nick, and yes, the homestead in the Backworlds is very much modeled on where I live.
I need to get away sometimes to write, too. I can see why he writes in a cabin!