The Future of the Western Genre

I've posted an article on Ezine about the future of the Western genre.

"For the last couple of decades, enthusiasts have lamented the demise of Westerns while the rest of the world has gone about its business, ignorant that anyone might care about a genre relegated to a few obscure shelves at the local bookstore. Westerns were hugely popular for over a hundred years. Not only were they popular in the United States, but the whole world devoured them. The Western was a staple of fiction, Hollywood, television, and daydreams. What happened?"

Follow this link, to read the full article.

Finding Your Voice

Whohub asked the following question in a interview.

Do you believe you have already found "your voice" or is that something one is always searching for?

I answered:

Your voice is not something you find. It 's especially illusive if you search for it. Tell a good story, and then tell it better and better until it compels the reader to keep going. If you achieve this goal, you'll have found your voice.

If your primary or sole goal is to find your voice, then you may become a technically good writer, but few people will read what you write.

Western Writers of America 2009 Conference

I'll be attending the Western Writers of America Conference in Oklahoma City, June 16-20.

Non-members are welcome, so if you love Western film or fiction, mark the dates on your calendar. There will be exhibits, panel discussions, book signings, guided tours of local Western attractions, and your favorite Western writers will be there.

If you would like to learn more, go to the WWA site.