Comments on: Vonnegut to Willeford http://johnbakersblog.co.uk/vonnegut-to-willeford/ Reflections of a working writer and reader Mon, 06 Feb 2012 15:06:05 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Charles J. Shields http://johnbakersblog.co.uk/vonnegut-to-willeford/comment-page-1/#comment-111613 Charles J. Shields Sun, 29 Nov 2009 15:25:37 +0000 http://johnbakersblog.co.uk/?p=3449#comment-111613 For the biography of Vonnegut I'm writing, due out next year from Henry Holt & Co., I've read hundreds of letters written by Kurt and I can tell when he's blowing smoke (no pun). "You are an absolute first-rate ethnographer in describing survival schemes within chaos which only politicians would be cynical enough to call a society." Typical Vonnegut-speak, suitable for in various forms for graduations and interviews. "What are you? A writer of thrillers, right?" Does that indicate he knows Willeford's work? "Meanwhile, there are all these serious writers, describing America as it really is. Shall I name some of them? Would you like me to send you some of their wonderful books?" Willeford needs to be tutored by a writer of fantasy? Isn't this a tad patronizing? I stand by what I said. Best, Charles For the biography of Vonnegut I’m writing, due out next year from Henry Holt & Co., I’ve read hundreds of letters written by Kurt and I can tell when he’s blowing smoke (no pun).

“You are an absolute first-rate ethnographer in describing survival schemes within chaos which only politicians would be cynical enough to call a society.” Typical Vonnegut-speak, suitable for in various forms for graduations and interviews.

“What are you? A writer of thrillers, right?” Does that indicate he knows Willeford’s work?

“Meanwhile, there are all these serious writers, describing America as it really is. Shall I name some of them? Would you like me to send you some of their wonderful books?” Willeford needs to be tutored by a writer of fantasy? Isn’t this a tad patronizing?

I stand by what I said.

Best,

Charles

]]> By: Dick http://johnbakersblog.co.uk/vonnegut-to-willeford/comment-page-1/#comment-111606 Dick Fri, 27 Nov 2009 15:15:13 +0000 http://johnbakersblog.co.uk/?p=3449#comment-111606 A writer much missed. A writer much missed.

]]> By: Charles J. Shields http://johnbakersblog.co.uk/vonnegut-to-willeford/comment-page-1/#comment-111605 Charles J. Shields Fri, 27 Nov 2009 11:19:38 +0000 http://johnbakersblog.co.uk/?p=3449#comment-111605 What this letter indicates to me is that it's canned and Vonnegut never read Willeford. <strong>jb says</strong>: Thanks for the comment, Charles. I don't agree, having read most of the output of both of them. Also, I can't imagine Vonnegut passing over someone of Willeford's talent. There are also many other letters in the Willeford Archive, several from writers like James Lee Burke, Elmore Leonard and Tony Hillerman. What this letter indicates to me is that it’s canned and Vonnegut never read Willeford.

jb says: Thanks for the comment, Charles. I don’t agree, having read most of the output of both of them. Also, I can’t imagine Vonnegut passing over someone of Willeford’s talent.
There are also many other letters in the Willeford Archive, several from writers like James Lee Burke, Elmore Leonard and Tony Hillerman.

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