Grove, Fred 1976-25-06

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Fred Grove, author and free-lance writer, discusses his background and techniques of writing western fiction. Grove is the author of Warrior Road, Flame of the Osage, Drums Without Warriors, and Comanche Captives.

General Interview Information

Interviewee Name: Fred Grove

Additional Parties Recorded:

Date: December 6, 1976

Location: Silver City, New Mexico

Interviewer: Michael Q. Hooks

Length: 1 hour, 30 minutes


Abstract

Tape 1, Side 1: Family background, Born: Osage County Oklahoma, Father, Cow puncher, Cherokee Strip, Mother, Part Osage/Sioux, Osage Indian headrights, Violence (1920s), Whizzbang Oklahoma, Oil boom town, Indians, Discrimination, Reservation life, Osage County, Jobs (1930s), Salesman of fly spray, "Whoopee", University of Oklahoma, Polo games, Football coaches (c. 1945-1952), Football players (c. 1945-1952), Writing professors, Foster Harris, Walter Campbell, Dwight Swain.

Tape 1, Side 2: Writing western fiction, Foster Harris (again), Walter Campbell (again), Dwight Swain (again), Influence, Techniques, Plot, Morality vs. violence, Conflict vs. obstacle, Outlining, Dialogue, Viewpoint, Character development, Move to New Mexico (1976), From Norman Oklahoma (1946-1976), Future plans, Quarter horses, Research, Buffalo hunters.

Tape 2, Side 1: Buffalo, Texas buffalo hunters, Uses of hides, Charles Goodnight, Ecologist, Anecdote, Crossing buffalo with cattle—the cattalo, Disappearance, Horses, Quarter horse, Short horse, Thoroughbreds, Romance, Writing, Journalism, Fiction, Examples, Bruce Catton, Carl Coke Rister, Working habits of writers, Hours, Breaks, Discipline, Basic problems, University of Oklahoma (again), Professional writing program, Dr. Fayette Copeland.

Tape 2, Side 2: Western fiction, Popularity, Changes (1960s), Heroes, Impact of movies and TV, Problems, Lack of good stories, Popularity decline, Obscenity.

Range Dates: Early 1900s-1976

Bulk Dates: 1920s-1976


Access Information

Original Recording Format:

Recording Format Notes:

Transcript:



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