Dusty Richards' Nine Rules of Writing

Dusty Richards' Nine Rules of Writing

George "Clay" Mitchell

I got to know Dusty late in the game. He was already a larger-than-life character I’d heard about through others before I even met him. I didn’t get to visit with him much, but there wasn’t a single person who had anything negative to say about him or his wife, Pat.

Their support and presence meant a lot to so many who are still dear friends of mine. They talk about Dusty, and I’m a little jealous of their memories and stories. I had one interview with Dusty almost a year before he and Pat were gone. It hurt because I would not have any new memories of Dusty or Pat, so I hung on to what others regaled and shared about them.

When I sat down with Dusty, we met for a late lunch at Big Jake’s in Van Buren, Ark. He had never been there but was impressed with the chosen venue, a heralded shrine to John Wayne. The restaurant burned down sometime after Dusty’s death, and it never came back. It was as if it served its highest dignitary and decided that it couldn’t do any better than Dusty Richards.

Looking back over my article today, I realized how crude and amateur it seems in parts. I want to think I’ve grown as a writer since then, and it hit me… I’ve been following Dusty’s Rules of Writing. It wasn’t anything explicitly explained or even outlined. Dusty didn’t even say, “these are my rules.” It was just how he got it done.

I have one book he’s autographed for me, TheMustangerandtheLady. His inscription was that he couldn’t wait to see what stories I would write. I never got a chance to share mine with him, but keeping to his rules, a bit of Dusty travels with me on my writing journeys.

1. Establish a writing routine.

2. Place yourself in the role of the characters, but observe them as an artist.

3. The characters don’t have to be superheroes, but they DO have to be extraordinary.

4. Find a good critique group or writing partner to share with. Pay attention to what works and what doesn’t

5. Write for the audience but never let them be confused.

6. Research and knowledge augment your characters.

7. View the world with wonder.

8. Don’t give up. Keep writing.

9. Support others in their writing craft.