Novelist Tony Hillerman passed away this weekend, earning tributes around the literary world.
GalleyCat alum Sarah Weinman has a round-up of the tributes, but one writer in particular had some inspiring memories of Tony Hillerman as a writing teacher. Author Deanne Stillman wrote about what she learned as on of Hillerman’s writing students. Her touching tribute is up at LA Observed, capturing the moment when the journalist took the scary step from his day-job to working as a novelist. It’s a great way to remember the author. Check it out:
“He had planned an entire series, he said to his students. He didn’t know if he could do it, he told us. He wasn’t even sure he knew how to write a book. But there was a lot he wanted to say about Navajo culture, and he thought he might put it all together in a way that combined his reporting skills with his great love of the land.”