ABOUT THIS BLOG:

ABOUT THIS BLOG: Much like myself, this site has worn down with many of its features no longer functioning. If you have questions (or answers), feel free to contact me: @WillTinkhamfictionist (Facebook) or @willtink (Twitter). Thanks!

NOW AVAILABLE!!!

NOW AVAILABLE!!!
From Minnesota's Iron Range to Hollywood's Golden Age, Ike Savich discovers America—one Packard at a time. THE PACKARD SALESMAN

About Me

Will Tinkham has published eleven novels. THE PACKARD SALESMAN follows THE TEDDY & BARA SHOW, IF I LIE IN A COMBAT ZONE, FALLING DOWN UMBRELLA MAN, THE MIRACLES, THE CARY GRANT SANATORIUM AND PLAYHOUSE, THE GREAT AMERICAN SCRAPBOOK, THE ADVENTURES OF HANK FENN, BONUS MAN, NO HAPPIER STATE, and ALICE AND HER GRAND BELL. He lives and writes in Minneapolis, MN. His short fiction has been published on three continents and he long ago attended Bread Loaf on a scholarship. An actor of little renown, his credits do include the Guthrie Theater and Theatre in the Round. @WillTinkhamfictionist on Facebook, @willtink on Twitter, instagram.com/willtink

Monday, October 17, 2011

On Friends, Music and Books (and that other matter)

When I first began this blog I was fresh off a 2010 when I had published four short stories and still had high hopes for my newest novel. Now's the time to start a website, I thought. I'm on a roll! Alas, 2011 has brought no new publications; it has brought only sadness. Every other post has brought bad news about illness or the passing of friends far too young to be passing. I saw a ton of old cronies at my friend Jan's memorial service, but it was still a sad affair. Well, the sadness stops here.


As I type, I'm listening to a new CD from Steve Law, grade school chum turned singer/dentist/songwriter. It's a wonderful five-song effort, full of hope and good vibes and fiddle and mandolin. Track four might cross that sentimentality line, but all's forgiven when "Tired" takes a shot at the Lohans and Sheens of the world: "We're so tired of hearin' your story. Tired of hearin' you name."

I just finished reading/critiquing another chapter of my friend Mary Vettel's latest novel full of young love and native American lore. Plus, I look forward to the publication of two books due out soon by members of my writing group.

See, there are all sorts of things to celebrate and keep one's mind off that hopeless other matter: I turned 55 today.

Monday, October 10, 2011

On Remembering Jan Gilbert Treanor


My friend Jan passed away in her sleep Saturday night. She had battled (and I mean battled) cancer for as long as I can remember. Treatments she couldn't get here she traveled elsewhere to find. I dared speak with her at a reunion a year ago about her health (I don't handle those conversations well) and she was remarkably forthcoming about the negatives, yet very positive about her chances. I came away from the conversation with the feeling that my friend was invincible. Not quite. If she's not, no one is.


Friends since junior high, I have trouble thinking back on what little I can remember of those days, and high school, without Jan being somewhere in the picture. She was in the middle of everything and rightly so. I still have close friends from those days largely because of Jan (and others) and her commitment to those reunions.

Having known her makes it hard to feel sad. I keep thinking back and all I find are good thoughts and wonderful times. My heart goes out to her family and her many, many friends.

(I stole these photos off Facebook. Hope I don't get in trouble.)