First Words Build a Hero
I started out with a single sentence. Which was, ‘He’d killed one man and possibly a second and had told Lyndon Johnson he was a coward after paying two thousand dollars to meet him.’ That was the voice: He had chutzpah and was a capitalist but also an anti-capitalist. A guy who had marched to the top but had some semblance of social conscience.
–Me, on Carry Me Across the Water, quoted in Identitytheory.com, 2001
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Randy O'Brien says:
Hi
Ethan, it was so wonderful seeing you listed on the Red Room site. It's not likely you'll remember this, but sometime around 1986-7 I sent you a note asking for help getting an agent. You sent a post card with a very encouraging message. While the agent didn't find my work interesting, she too was encouraging. Cut to...earlier this year my first novel was published by a small press in Seattle and has received two great reviews. I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciated the encouragement and how that little boost paid off some two decades later.
Still a big fan of your work.
Randy O'Brien
Author of Judge Fogg
Ethan Canin says:
Judge Fogg
Hey, Randy,I haven't been checking my site much (ever, in fact) but just found your note. Congratulations! May the karma continue.
ec
Delirious Girl says:
Hi! Terrific book,
Hi!
Terrific book, America, America!
I wrote a review of it which has now disappeared. And yeah, very encouraging that you've NEVER checked this site. Thanks.
Ethan Canin says:
Thanks
Hey, thanks, Delirious Girl. Very glad you liked it. Sorry the review disappeared. Sorry about the lax checking, too. Maybe this will be the beginning of a new era.
Take care-
e
Leanna Noonan says:
America America
Ethan- We met at the tattered cover book store in Denver when you were promoting your book Emperor of the Air...I was the petite blond that chatted your ear off...Anyway, I loved your novel-America America! I finished my PhD this year and now want to write!!!! Any encouragement or words of wisdom would be appreciated!
Ethan Canin says:
writing
Leanna,
Much of writing is just showing up and seeing what happens. The trick is in showing up.
Find the things that encourage your own inventiveness, too. For me it's reading, sometimes music.
But let me tell you, it's not easy. (Somehow, knowing this makes it slightly easier.) As one of my students just said about the pleasure to be had from writing: it's the sweet center of a thick, sour fruit.
Good luck to you--and congratulations on the PhD.
e
William Brennan says:
America, America
What a beautiful book, sir. I think it's your best since that timeless novella The Palace Thief. The novel was particularly resonant because of the political climate this year, but it stands out of that context as well.
All the best- Bill Brennan
Ethan Canin says:
Thanks, Bill
I appreciate your taking the time to leave a note.
Best,
Ethan
Courtney James says:
Hi Ethan, I have read and
Hi Ethan,
I have read and enjoyed your work very much through the years. Thank you for sharing your incredible talent.
This is probably not the appropriate place to inquire, but I believe you married a wonderful friend of mine from high school who I haven't been able to find for many years. Did your wife go to Hinsdale Central High School in Hinsdale, IL? If so, I would love to be in contact with her. Would you please let her know and pass on this e-mail to her? Thank you, and I apologize for posting this on this site, but I don't know how else to reach you or Barbara.
Courtney Long James
mcljames@sbcglobal.net