The Best Writer You've Never Heard Of: Jim Thompson
In 1977, Jim Thompson was an obscure crime writer with a few screenplays to his credit. As he lay dying, he predicted that some of his work would be considered classics in ten years. At the time, that seemed hopelessly optimistic. None of his work was in print. He was dying in poverty. His prediction was clearly wrong.
And it was. Twenty years after his death, people figured out that Jim Thompson was a hell of a writer. So, it took twenty years, not ten. Otherwise, Thompson pretty much got it right
When Thompson started writing, America liked the Martini noir of Hammett and Earl Stanley Gardner. Compared with those writers, Thompson's work was like a whiskey shot followed by a punch to the face.
...At first, Thompson’s lack of success didn’t stop him. Between 1952 and 1957, he wrote 16 novels. Sometimes he wrote entire novels in 48 hours. He was paid by the line, and the money didn’t amount to very much. So, he churned out novels in order to pay the bills.
Finally though, the sheer apathy of the American public got to him. Some people think that writers give up when everyone hates their work. That’s not generally true. Writers give up when they’re ignored. What’s the point of writing when no one reads your words?
Alley on Bitters Review
The Alley on Bitters is tucked away, just off a busy street. The shops are quiet and unassuming. If you’re not paying attention, you might drive right past the sign announcing the turnoff.
In that case, you’re missing out. The Alley At Bitters has some extraordinary experiences packed within a quaint little village, complete with a wooden boardwalk.
Iva Style is a boutique for children and women that has been open since 2012. They have some unique Turkish jewelry, along with Mairlen dolls for children. By the way, did you know that Iva Style offers classes in dollhouse construction? They do. Instead of paying a fortune to a large company, maybe you can build a dollhouse for your child during the holidays. Of course, Iva Style also has dresses and other clothes for women and children. Even better, the clothes can be customized.
Brianna’s Boutique is another women’s clothing store nestled in the Alley. They have dresses and bags from India, along with Italian linen and handmade earrings. Brianna is dedicating her working life to the store after doing HR for 20 years. Why? She loves the Alley, and what it represents.
The boutique is neighbors with Dusty Saw Designs. New to the Alley, this store features custom wood signs, clocks, and other wall art. If you can provide a picture, the folks at Dusty Saw Designs have a good chance of making it come to life in wood.
Local Library Review
People of all ages read intently, met up with friends, and discussed recent events. Perhaps some folks just wanted to be inside, away from the brutal Texas sun. Fortunately, the building’s air conditioning system has just been renovated. During a recent visit, the AC continually worked to bring the inside temperature down to a comfortable level. Despite the number of people (and there were quite a few!), the temperature remained pleasant. You can safely avoid the heat and still get out of the house by visiting the library.
Of course, staying cool isn’t the only reason to visit the library. Despite the Internet’s popularity, folks still enjoy holding books in their hands and turning pages made of paper. Brook Hollow has great walls of books covering many different subjects. The library has made every effort to provide relevant, up-to-date writing, and the new book section is not scanty.
While the library was mostly quiet and respectful, people and their gadgets tend to make noise, especially in this electronic age. So, Brook Hollow offers a Quiet Study room. If you don’t want to hear the folks around you, you can sit at a desk in this room and read quietly until the library closes or your eyeballs finally give out.
Settling down in a quiet library to read a good book is one of life’s great pleasures. Your world narrows to a piece of paper with twenty-six symbols, placed in an elegant order. From a simple piece of paper marked with these squiggles, people manage to evoke almost any thought or image that we can conceive.
