How did I end up writing western romances?
A lot of it has to do with my mom’s addiction to the small screen westerns.
I grew up watching The Virginian, High Chaparral, Lancer, Wagon Train, Guns of Will Sonnett (how many remember that one?), etc.
I read all the Roy Rogers books in our small town library. Later on, I read Louis L’Amour, Zane Grey, the Stagecoach Series, etc.
Then I moved on to Dorothy Garlock, Janet Dailey, Joanna Lindsey, Maggie Osborne, and all those western romance writers who have since ridden into the sunset. I always wanted to write and with my love of the western, it just had to be.
However, one of the side effects of writing western romance is that I can’t read them while I’m working on one of my own. Instead, I now read more mystery and fantasy, which kind of follows my TV viewing pattern, too, since I’m a “Stargate SG1” fan, as well as an avid viewer of many of the crime dramas, like “CSI”, “Numbers”, and “Bones.”
I’ve recently read “Warsworn”, a fantasy romance by Elizabeth Vaughan, which was preceded by her wonderful “Warprize.” Prior to that, I read David B. Coe’s “Winds of the Forelands” fantasy series and I’m anxiously awaiting the fifth book.
Waiting in the wings is another fantasy series from Robin Hobb, who writes wonderfully wounded, tragic heroes. Also on my TBR pile is Michael Koryta’s mystery “Tonight I said Goodbye”.
The adage “so many books, so little time” is so true. :::sigh:::
I think that’s why I love Westerns too. I grew up watching all those old ones, Bonanza, The Rifleman, Big Valley, Gunsmoke, The Virginian and yes The Guns of Will Sonnet. And how can forget Rawhide – and a yummy Clint Eastwood. And I had such a crush when I was a young thing on Doug Mclure as Trampas!
I, like so many others who love a good Western, are so sad to see there are so few being published these days. In fact I’ve even written to a publisher to thank them for still publishing Westerns. Not that I have anything against the current deluge of paranormals, but there is something so basic about the Western. I’d love to see them make a comeback and hopefully if we keep plugging them, the PTB just might start listening. I’m glad I have your books current and back list, to look forward too!
Publishers need to hear there are readers out there for a genre they consider “dead”. Thank you so much for taking the time to thank one who is pub’ing them.
In re of the small screen westerns. I met James Drury a few years ago when I was at the RT convention in Houston–nice nice man. I thanked him for his wonderful portrayal of the Virginian and how his and other westerns influenced me. He was so gracious–and grateful to know that what he did all those years ago touched somebody so profoundly.
I think that may be why I enjoy westerns as well…I grew watching them with my dad.
Little Jo, Trampas, the Virginian (did they ever say his name? I don’t remember if they did!), Lucas McCain, Heath Barkley — I was always in love growing up! I still watch all those shows on TVLand, even if I’ve seen them a hundred times. I never get tired of them and there’s such great memories of a simpler time.
Thanks for your westerns too, Maureen!
Sandy
I also was influenced by my father’s love of westerns. Growing up we would watch them all the time together. Then later on I added on series like Big Valley and Bonanza and watched those regularly.
I love reading a variety too! So I rotate what I read, but always read a historical each week.
I loved Little House On The Prairie (too when I had a reading slump I went and got the book and read it and it was a wonderful comfort read!) But too I love historical mysteries. Some wonderful ones out there, but I haven’t seen any western ones yet 🙁 Its always interesting to see what the author likes to read too!
Cathie
http://tbranxiety.blogspot.com