Monday, July 31, 2006
At this point our camera pooped out
. . . so we have no photos of our long journey across North Dakota, where we visited with Dan's son Joe, daughter-in-law Rebecca, and Dan's delightful twin grandchildren, Alex and Katie. Sorry. . .
Part of the elk herd on the Bowman ranch
You'll have to look closely, but they ARE there. About 75 of them roam the 5000 acres. Used to be a private hunting preserve, but Montana outlawed such enterprises a while back.
Lynn Bowman's 5000 acres
... ok, just a section of them. That's Lynn on the right, author of our latest book, Who's My Enemy? about his experiences during the Vietnam War. (Dan's on the left.)
Great Falls
Yep, we're still in Montana, folks (it's a BIIIIGGGGG state). They wouldn't recognize it, but this is one of the places that Lewis and Clark described in their journals.
Onwards across beautiful Montana
Mountains then more mountains, before it eventually becomes quite flat.
Helena, Montana - We sold a book!
...more than one, actually. And the bookshop liked our work well enough to purchase several copies of each.
Missoula, Montana
We had a signing at this bookstore but nobody came. A very hot Monday evening so we don't blame them if they went out on the river instead.
On the road again
No chance to update until now. Too much driving, spotty computer access and broken down camera. But now we're back in business - so here goes with some catch up photos.
Friday, July 14, 2006
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
TRAVELS IN WASHINGTON STATE
Very GREEN up here. Lovely land of trees and water. A book talk party at the home of Dan's distant cousin Robin Downey and husband Peter. About 35 people. Then we tromped across the beaches to explore their geoduck (pronounced GOOEY-Duck) farm; gigantic clams that take 4 to 5 years to grow before harvesting.
In Bellingham we stayed with a kind couple we found on line, through a hosting group called Hospitalityclub.org. Lovely town, small group at Village Books. After that, to a talk in Seattle before a group of film buffs who seemed to thoroughly enjoy it. And time out for an excellent Indian meal.
Stay tuned for more, as we off to explore Seattle - then, tomorrow on to Montana!
In Bellingham we stayed with a kind couple we found on line, through a hosting group called Hospitalityclub.org. Lovely town, small group at Village Books. After that, to a talk in Seattle before a group of film buffs who seemed to thoroughly enjoy it. And time out for an excellent Indian meal.
Stay tuned for more, as we off to explore Seattle - then, tomorrow on to Montana!
Thursday, July 06, 2006
HELENA MONTANA ARTICLE
This very nice story appeared in the Helena, Montana Independent Record for July 6. Any comments?
A COUPLE OF WRITERS
By EMILY DONAHOE, IR Staff Writer - 07/06/2006
They met on the Internet. He was a Hollywood screenwriter, producer and cartoonist; she was a counselor in a men’s prison — in the UK.
Since then, couple Dan Bessie and Jeanne Johnson have each written books, started up a small publishing enterprise and are set to tour the country in support of them — and then they’re moving to France.
The couple will be in Helena at the Montana Book Company 12-2 p.m. on Saturday, July 15, for a reading and book signing.
“Well, we were both looking for someone,” says Bessie, who found Johnson’s profile on a site featuring English women. “There’s nothing wrong with American women; I’ve just always had a fondness for English women.” Johnson and Bessie began e-mailing to get a sense of each other’s personality and genuineness. Because, according to Bessie, they had both “been around the block” they each were completely honest about who they were and what they were looking for from the get go.
“We asked all the questions,” says Johnson. “Whether it would be more than that I didn’t know until we met.” After writing back and forth for nearly four months, Bessie and Johnson felt comfortable enough to take the next step; Bessie invited Johnson to come to California for a visit.
At best, he told Johnson, this could be the beginning of a wonderful romance; at worst, you’ll have a nice vacation.
Johnson knew enough about Bessie that she was pretty sure he’d be a really nice guy — even if they didn’t hit it off romantically — and accepted.
“I thought, well — what have I got to lose?” she says.
In the San Francisco airport, Bessie leapt out from behind a pillar with a red rose; sparks flew.
“I think we were more bowled over than we expected to be,” says Johnson.
After a very successful visit, the relationship progressed long distance over the next several months. It was important for Johnson to spend time with Bessie in her hometown, so he flew to see her in the fall.
“I liked him just as much in England as I liked him in California!” Johnson says with a laugh.
The next February, Johnson moved to California and the couple was married.
Bessie’s book, “Reeling through Hollywood: How I Spent 40 Fabulous Years in Hollywood and Never Made a Nickel” is an account of his time in the business — from drawing the cartoon “Tom and Jerry” to directing and producing — and also a sort of how to for those considering a career in the arts.
For so many people, says Bessie, making it in media means nothing less than fame and fortune. Unfortunately, that isn’t the norm.
With “Reeling Through Hollywood,” Bessie promotes learning to appreciate the process of creativity and other ways to enjoy a successful and fulfilling life in the arts — whether your name is on the marquee or not.
Johnson’s book, “Starlings in the Park,” is a collection of 18 short stories about people in crisis who come to a point of change.
“People fascinate me,” says Johnson. “I guess you write about what you know. In a way, I’ve been in a very privileged position of hearing so many stories.” “I had written a couple of stories but I hadn’t thought of myself as a writer,” adds Johnson. “I showed Dan my stories and he said: ‘You’re a writer!’ So I was just encouraged.” “She’s a better writer than I am, I gotta tell ya,” says Bessie, who amends that to “a different writer” a moment later.
“It’s because she has a very very deep understanding of human nature,” says Bessie. “The stories she writes are very rich.” “People need to know that they’re not alone,” says Johnson, who hopes that people will relate to the characters of “Starlings.” Even as writers, the couple work well together.
“We basically run everything we’ve done in front of each other,” says Johnson “... it works very very well because our styles are very different.” //Meet the authors When: 12-2 p.m., Saturday, July 15 Where: Montana Book Company Call: 443-0260
A COUPLE OF WRITERS
By EMILY DONAHOE, IR Staff Writer - 07/06/2006
They met on the Internet. He was a Hollywood screenwriter, producer and cartoonist; she was a counselor in a men’s prison — in the UK.
Since then, couple Dan Bessie and Jeanne Johnson have each written books, started up a small publishing enterprise and are set to tour the country in support of them — and then they’re moving to France.
The couple will be in Helena at the Montana Book Company 12-2 p.m. on Saturday, July 15, for a reading and book signing.
“Well, we were both looking for someone,” says Bessie, who found Johnson’s profile on a site featuring English women. “There’s nothing wrong with American women; I’ve just always had a fondness for English women.” Johnson and Bessie began e-mailing to get a sense of each other’s personality and genuineness. Because, according to Bessie, they had both “been around the block” they each were completely honest about who they were and what they were looking for from the get go.
“We asked all the questions,” says Johnson. “Whether it would be more than that I didn’t know until we met.” After writing back and forth for nearly four months, Bessie and Johnson felt comfortable enough to take the next step; Bessie invited Johnson to come to California for a visit.
At best, he told Johnson, this could be the beginning of a wonderful romance; at worst, you’ll have a nice vacation.
Johnson knew enough about Bessie that she was pretty sure he’d be a really nice guy — even if they didn’t hit it off romantically — and accepted.
“I thought, well — what have I got to lose?” she says.
In the San Francisco airport, Bessie leapt out from behind a pillar with a red rose; sparks flew.
“I think we were more bowled over than we expected to be,” says Johnson.
After a very successful visit, the relationship progressed long distance over the next several months. It was important for Johnson to spend time with Bessie in her hometown, so he flew to see her in the fall.
“I liked him just as much in England as I liked him in California!” Johnson says with a laugh.
The next February, Johnson moved to California and the couple was married.
Bessie’s book, “Reeling through Hollywood: How I Spent 40 Fabulous Years in Hollywood and Never Made a Nickel” is an account of his time in the business — from drawing the cartoon “Tom and Jerry” to directing and producing — and also a sort of how to for those considering a career in the arts.
For so many people, says Bessie, making it in media means nothing less than fame and fortune. Unfortunately, that isn’t the norm.
With “Reeling Through Hollywood,” Bessie promotes learning to appreciate the process of creativity and other ways to enjoy a successful and fulfilling life in the arts — whether your name is on the marquee or not.
Johnson’s book, “Starlings in the Park,” is a collection of 18 short stories about people in crisis who come to a point of change.
“People fascinate me,” says Johnson. “I guess you write about what you know. In a way, I’ve been in a very privileged position of hearing so many stories.” “I had written a couple of stories but I hadn’t thought of myself as a writer,” adds Johnson. “I showed Dan my stories and he said: ‘You’re a writer!’ So I was just encouraged.” “She’s a better writer than I am, I gotta tell ya,” says Bessie, who amends that to “a different writer” a moment later.
“It’s because she has a very very deep understanding of human nature,” says Bessie. “The stories she writes are very rich.” “People need to know that they’re not alone,” says Johnson, who hopes that people will relate to the characters of “Starlings.” Even as writers, the couple work well together.
“We basically run everything we’ve done in front of each other,” says Johnson “... it works very very well because our styles are very different.” //Meet the authors When: 12-2 p.m., Saturday, July 15 Where: Montana Book Company Call: 443-0260
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
Monday, July 03, 2006
ALONG THE COAST TO OREGON
After a stop a the lovely Mendicino Botanical Gardens, we headed north for a book talk in Gold Beach, Oregon. Three people showed up, bought 4 books - and the bookstore bought another 10 - so we counted the event a success. The photo, however, isn't the crowd for us, but those who came for an evening of light entertainment at Gold Beach Books that evening. Fun event.
Then on to Port Orford, where a great crowd of 25 or so came to an event sponsored by the local library, seemed to get a big kick out of our talk, and bought a flock of books. We're staying here for their 4th of July shindig, before heading on north. . . Hope to hear from some of you. . .
Then on to Port Orford, where a great crowd of 25 or so came to an event sponsored by the local library, seemed to get a big kick out of our talk, and bought a flock of books. We're staying here for their 4th of July shindig, before heading on north. . . Hope to hear from some of you. . .
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