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Peter Matthiessen came to town two weeks ago for a reading and a literary luncheon. This was his second visit sponsored by Gemini Ink of San Antonio, Texas. He gave a writing class during his first appearance over five years ago, which I attended. Afterward we had a short visit about the Aransas Wildlife Refuge and about fly-fishing for Redfish on Texas' Laguna Madre flats. I sent him a letter confirming some of our thoughts on a possible visit.

I was quite amazed when I returned from a trip to find a message from Peter on my machine inviting me to a reading that night and possibly a beer after. I can't imagine how he could remember me after all those years.

This in the context that there are people who talk about it, people who write about it, and there are people who do it. Peter does it. "It" being anything from trekking the Himalayas, hiking the Amazon rain forest, in-depth studies of natural phenomenon, championing the cause of indigenous people, fighting for justice against overwhelming odds - you name it. Having done it, he then writes about it.

When I hear Peter speak with such passion on important Issues, I get hollow inside wishing I had the passion required for important writing. But as Stephens King said in On Writing, ". . . you will never be a great writer unless you are born with it."

Peter and I visited a few minutes during his book signing, and I went away wanting to be a better person. A possible fly fishing, bird watching trip was again mentioned. It's something good to think about.

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Comment by Bill Stephens on April 9, 2007 at 10:28am
Judi, You're very kind. Thank you for your comments. I know you work in self-publishing, and I just posted a piece on www.publishersmarketplace.com/members/billstephens you will find interesting.
Comment by Judi Lake on April 9, 2007 at 9:50am
Good blog, Bill -- I don't know if it matters, but in my humble opinion I would say that you indeed have your own style of 'passion' as I truly look forward in reading your blogs --

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