Last month, I was honored to be invited to Fort Worth, Texas as a finalist for the Will Rogers Medallion. This contest, named for the famed cowboy, humorist, actor, and author honors western writing in all formats – fiction, non-fiction, short stories, articles, even cookbooks. One of the things that attracted to me about this contest in particular was that it honored the values of this American legend. The contest states:
*All works must represent an accurate reflection of Western Americana, or cowboy and ranch life, historical or contemporary. Historical accuracy is crucial where applicable.
*The work must remain consistent with the values and the language embodied in the works of award namesake, Will Rogers, one of America’s most beloved humorists and writers; in other words, innuendo is fine, but neither graphic sex scenes nor graphic language is in our code.
Will Rogers was born in 1879 in Oklahoma and worked on his parents’ ranch, then took on cowboy work in the Texas panhandle, traveled to Argentina, and eventually became a member of Texas Jack’s Wild West Circus thanks to his amazing roping skills, thereby getting his first gig as an entertainer. He and his roping moved on to the Ziegfeld Follies, which opened the door to movie contracts. He made over 70 films, 50 of which were silent pictures. He made a name for himself as a humorist as well and wrote more than 4,000 nationally syndicated newspaper columns.
Here are a few classic lines from Will that make me grin:
- If you find yourself in a hole, stop digging.
. - The quickest way to double your money is to fold it and put it back in your pocket.
. - There are three kinds of men:
…The ones that learn by reading.
…The few who learn by observation.
…The rest of them have to touch an electric fence.
The award banquet took place at the historical Fort Worth Stockyards, at Cooper’s Barbecue. Yum! To honor Will, they had a trick roper on hand. They also had his great-granddaughter come to speak. She runs the Will Rogers Museum in Oklahoma, and it was lovely to have her there.
They gave a Golden Lariat Award for lifetime achievement to Craig Johnson who is the author of the Longmire series. That was fun to see.
The Western Romance category was the first category on the list, so I didn’t have to wait long for my results. Our fabulous filly sister Shanna Hatfield took the silver medallion for Henley. I was so excited for her. I tried to cheer loud enough for her to hear me in Oregon since she wasn’t able to attend.
I was so blessed to receive the gold medallion for In Honor’s Defense. My editor, Jessica Sharpe, flew down to join me for the day, and we made sure to snap a photo together afterwards with our matching medallions.
There was a lot of western writing talent in that banquet hall, and I was incredibly honored to be part of it. I think I’ll enter again next year.
Do you read any other western writing besides romance?
Western magazines, biographies, history, children’s books …
For those who love to smile as they read, bestselling author Karen Witemeyer offers warmhearted historical romance with a flair for humor, feisty heroines, and swoon-worthy Texas heroes. Karen is a firm believer in the power of happy endings. . . and ice cream. She is an avid cross-stitcher, and makes her home in Abilene, TX with her husband and three children. Learn more about Karen and her books at: www.karenwitemeyer.com.
I love the Ralph moody series, & grew up with Laura Ingalls Wilder & the tall tales of Pecos Bill & Paul Bunyan. I also enjoyed singing a lot of the old western ballads (such as Cool Clear Water) with my mom & grandparents!
Love that, Ami! I’m now hearing Bing Crosby’s voice in my head singing about that Cool, Clear, Water. 🙂
Congratulations! A special achievement for you and Shanna Hatfield. I always knew your Westerns were good, now I know why.
Aww – thank you, Jeannette.
Besides Western romance, I also read Western history and have many in my own library. In addition, I’ve been to the Will Rogers Museum and The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma. In fact, I’ve written for Persimmon Hill, the National Cowboy Association’s magazine.
How cool, Janice! I’d love to visit those museums one of these days.
Congratulations Karen! What a treat to actually go there! I’ll read history or look at documentaries. I love the old west. Right now my husband and I are watching Lawman Bass Reeves. We both love anything western. I’ve mentioned this before, but I grew up reading Louis LAmour as a 12 year old. Read all the Sacketts!
By the way, where is your cowboy hat Karen??? LOL Lots of folks there was wearing theirs in the picture! Heh.
Ha! No hat, but I was wearing my cowgirl boots. 🙂 I did my best to fit in with the crowd.
Congratulations! An honor well deserved. I love to read western and cowboy romance. Most cowboys are the epitome of an ideal man.
There’s just something about a tough man with a tender heart, isn’t there?
Congrats to both you and Shanna. I love westerns!
Thank you, Rhonda!
I’ve read Tony Hillerman’s books, and I used to read Louis Lamour books, too. I read western cowboys in historical and contemporary, too.
Love that you get your cowboy fix in multiple places, Trudy. 🙂
What an honor for you and Shanna! Congratulations on this wonderful achievement! I read mostly historical western romance. I just love that genre. Once in a while I’ll read contemporary books by authors I adore. But, my heart lies in the historical western genre. So happy for you and Shanna. Also for Pam Crooks on her recent award. You fillies are outstanding authors! I’m so glad I was introduced to P&P’s.
I’m with you, Kathy. Historicals are my sweet spot. I was tickled pink to hear about Pam’s award, too. So fun!
Congratulations to both you and Shanna Hatfield. I love watching Documentaries on Historical events and reading all kinds of History. Thank you for sharing with us today.
There is always something new and fascinating to uncover. I love it!
Congratulations! How wonderful. What a wonderful honor.
Congratulations to Shanna, too.
I just read western romance. Though I have a few vintage Zane Grey and Louis L’Amour books given to me.
Nothing wrong with loving western romance. That’s my happy place, too. 🙂
Congratulations Karen! I grew up on TV westerns so I enjoy reading western romance and western historical novels.
I did, too, Connie. As soon as I outgrew Saturday morning cartoons, I moved on to Saturday morning westerns. Loved those shows!
I really enjoy western romance, but I read several other genres.
I read a few others as well, but I tend to focus on historicals.
Congrats to you and Shanna. I love all your books and hers as well. Will Rogers was a wonderful man. We visited a museum in Oklahoma some years ago which was in his home town, which I cannot recall the name of. It was a fabulous tour. It was around his old home as well and that was also stupendous to see.
I bet that was amazing, Judy! I would love to see that someday.
What a career highlight for you, Karen! And to have your editor join you speaks volumes.
Congratulations, my friend!
Thanks, Pam! I was super excited to see your recent award, too. WooHoo!
Congratulations Karen, wow, what an awesome achievement ! I love western books and I love western movies, I grew up watching westerns all my life. Have a great day and a great rest of the week.
I grew up on reruns of those classic westerns from the 50;s & 60’s. It’s what made me fall in love with cowboys.
Congratulations to Shanna also!
She is so deserving!
Congrats! I took my nephew to that museum when I lived in Texas. I liked watching Longmire and the Westerns starring Lou Diamond Phillips. I also enjoy reading westerns.
I watched sever seasons of Longmire too, Becky, and really enjoyed it.
Congratulations! And way to represent the Texas author contingent. So glad to finally meet you in person.
That was one of the highlights of the trip for me, Kristine!
Congratulations!! That’s an awesome & well-deserved award!
I don’t really read much other Western writing besides Christian romance, but I have a sister who makes cowboy boots, so I have a calendar of her boots hanging in my kitchen. 🙂
I remember seeing pictures of some of her work – she is very talented!
Congratulations. God bless you.
Thank you, Debbie!
I have taught Western history at the college level and done research. I read non-romance Westerns and enjoy the old penny dreadful novels from tge late 1800s to the 1950s.
Sounds like some wonderfully rich reading, David. And I love that you temper the academic with penny dreadfuls. 🙂
Congratulations to you and Shanna! A well deserved honor for both of you! I love all things Western: books, movies, music….they all have a special place in my heart. They don’t have to be romantic at all for me to enjoy them. My dad was a cowboy and I was blessed to live in that lifestyle for most of my life. I sure miss the good old days.
What wonderful memories to draw from, Kim!
Congratulations on your Gold medallion. It is well deserved.
I do read other western books. They run the spectrum from nonfiction, children’s books, Native American authors & stories, regular westerns, and romance. There is such a wonderful variety of topics and authors available.
You are so right, Patricia. So many great authors out there across the western spectrum. 🙂