Under That Writing Spell

“What is writing but an expression of myself.” – Zane Grey

Born in Ohio on this date in 1872, Grey was a dentist who enjoyed tales of the Old West and ultimately became one of America’s most popular writers of the “Western” genre. His Riders of the Purple Sage, which has sold many millions of copies and been adapted into 5 different films and an opera, often is cited as “The most popular Western of all time.”

Still, when Grey wrote it he expressed doubts about whether it was good or would be accepted by the general public. 

                                                      If you are a writer, he said, you always have self doubts about what you are putting down.  Is it good?  Will people care?  Why should they care?  Ultimately, of course, you just need to be happy for and with yourself and the writing you produce. 

“Writing is like digging coal.  I sweat blood.  The spell is upon me,” Grey said.  “I hope I have found myself, my work, my happiness - under the light of the western skies.”

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