Principia Ponderosa (Third Flatiron Anthologies Book 18) just came out today. “Welcome to the “Principia Ponderosa,” land of wide-open spaces and
dark dreams. This new anthology from Third Flatiron features 17
stories that combine elements of the Western with other literary
genres, including steampunk, fantasy, occult, and horror. We invite
you to mount up and ride with us into the sunset.” My “La Loca” is included, though it takes place somewhat after sunset!
Filed under Front Page, published story
One of the best things about writing is sharing friendships with your characters. Joaquin Murrieta is a friend of thirty years standing and we’ve shared nine adventures together, five of them published. I’ve got almost enough stories to make a book now, though nobody seems interested. The latest to achieve print is “Big Kitty”, in which I poke a bit of fun at the Western genre. Take a peek at Frontier Tales:
Filed under Front Page, published story
Photo by Phyllis Walton
“Mission Days” at San Antonio de Padua both celebrates the early history of Central California and raises funds for restoration of the Mission buildings. This year’s event took place on April 2nd and was a great success. Gold-panning, brick-making, black-smithing, cowboy-singing, acorn-grinding, candle-making, wildflower-hiking were – among many others – activities one could engage in. All was topped off by Rosa Pacheco’s BBQ and a concert by the New World Baroque Orchestra. I squeezed in some story-telling – Ask me how the kangaroo rat got its paint brush of a tail! – and some book signing.
Filed under Author Visits, Front Page
I spent a good part of yesterday telling tall tales at Mission San Antonio de Padua. It was Mission Days – time for music, food, stories, remembrance and laughter! If that sounds like a fiesta to you, then you’re absolutely in tune with what was going on. If you weren’t there, you missed a great time, but there’s always next year! My bit was to tell Native American and early settler stories. I had a good audience (even if I dragooned a couple of them, though without the help of the dragoon re-enactors outside) and worked a new story into the mix. Catch me sometime for a rendition of “Tarantula”. It’s not what you think, but it’s okay if you think it anyway.
P.S. Phyllis and I were married in this wonderful room exactly 43 years ago.
Filed under Author Visits, Front Page
I first wrote Joaquin’s Gold more than thirty years ago. I used it in my classes and revised it many times. I later wrote half a dozen other stories featuring Joaquin Murrieta as my protagonist. Five of these stories have been published in print and on line. Now, Joaquin’s Gold has found a home in According to Adam, the Writers’ Drawer website’s just published anthology. I’m most appreciative that editor Beryl Belsky included it in this fine collection. For you teacher types, I’ll mention that my complete Common Core lesson plans for teaching this story are available on TPT. Pertinent links are below:
Here’s the Amazon link:
Here’s the TPT link:
Filed under Front Page, published story
The MCARLM campfire and story-telling event down at San Lorenzo Park on October 25th was great fun. Thanks to Raye Ann and Motoko for helping me present Amanda Miller’s spooky poem! I also got to share “Black Maggie’s Secret” around the campfire – the best home for any ghost story! Joaquin Murrieta rides again!
Filed under Author Visits, Front Page, Western Tales
“Joaquin’s Gold” is a western adventure set in 19th Century California. Its main character is Joaquin Murrieta, the famous bandit. It’s based on Central California legends and is set in Pinnacles National Park. I wrote it for my 8th grade students thirty years ago and have rewritten it many times since. Beryl Belsky has kindly published the story on her Writer’s Drawer website:
http://www.thewritersdrawer.net/joaquins-gold.html
I’ve made a common core short story unit for “Joaquin” available on the TPT site:
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Joaquins-Gold-story-text-for-short-story-unit-1212090
Joaquin has become one of my favorite characters. I’ve written eight stories for him and for California long before freeways. I hope to make them all available for teachers in the next few years!
Filed under Front Page, Western Tales
