August 17th, 2009

I began my work week reflecting on a conversation I had yesterday with one of my favorite authors, Jane Candia Coleman. Jane is a two time Spur Award winner and an exceptional writer of the Old West. It was a pleasure to speak with her about her work (Doc Holliday’s Woman, Tumbleweed, and Silver Queen just to name a few) and share with her how inspired I am by her talent. She encouraged me to keep writing regardless of the challenges and invited me to her home next month when I’m in Arizona. There’s a quote about encouragement that I keep near my desk. It’s by pastor and author William Arthur Ward. I dusted it off this morning to give it another read. “Flatter me, and I may not believe you. Criticize me, and I may not like you. Ignore me, and I may not forgive you. Encourage me, and I will not forget you. Love me and I may be forced to love you.” Life is exceptionally hard. We all need a boost from time to time, an encourager to help us through the rough patches. Jane Coleman was that for me. I hope to pay that kindness forward today. I’ll be writing about Elizabeth Custer and her efforts to preserve her husband’s memory. Should anyone want a copy of Thunder Over the Prairie I have two to give away today. Just drop my an email and let me know you’d like one. I’ll get it off to you.