The inspiration of Will Rogers

“If you want to be successful, it's just this simple. Know what you are doing. Love what you are doing. And believe in what you are doing.” – Will Rogers

            Yesterday marked the anniversary of the tragic death of Rogers, one of America's great humorists and homespun philosophers.   Rogers died in a plane crash with aviator Wiley Post as they were flying into Alaska in 1935.  At the time, he was perhaps as well known – if not more well known – than any figure in the world.

              Noted for his saying, "I never met a man I didn't like," Rogers had almost daily statements about everything from culture to politics, shared in many of his more than 4,000 essays written for his widely circulated newspaper column.  He also did hundreds of talks on a syndicated radio show, and appeared in more than 50 movies. 

                  I put a young Will Rogers (age 15) into my historical novel And The Wind Whispered, based on a real life adventure he became embroiled in while traveling by train to the Southern Black Hills with two young Oklahoma ranching friends.  A couple years ago, just after the publication of that novel, I was invited to visit the Rogers boyhood home, and then tour the Will Rogers Museum in Claremore, Okla.  Both stops are wonderful experiences and a great opportunity to share in the culture, history and writings of this unique storyteller.  He was an inspiration for my writing before and even more so after.                  

                “Half our life is spent trying to find something to do with the time we have rushed through life trying to save,” Rogers once said.   “Remember, even if you are on the right track,” he said, “you will get run over if you just sit there.”

Share A Writer’s Moment with a friend by clicking the g+1 button below.