Monday, July 25, 2011

Family, Anecdotes and The Tradition

I come from a long line of storytellers. Not the writer type (except my maternal grandfather whose name just so happens to be Edward A. Grainger). I’m talking about the original, traditional method of storytelling. By word of mouth. When I was just a wee boy, I would sit at the table and listen closely to a bunch of my relatives telling anecdote after anecdote. I took it all in. Every word. Every facial expression. Every emotional reaction. And weren’t they having a blast. That seems like a whole ‘nother century ago—oh, wait a minute, it was, literally!

Travel with me, if you would, through the proverbial mists of time—back to my first decade in the 1970s when my grandfather, dad, aunts and uncles would spin stories. I’d turn the TV off and listen in as nothing else could compete with the humorous and poignant tales that sprung from that 'round table.' It was my Grandpa Fred who captured the audience and my imagination most often. Whether it was the story of how the tire came off his Model T and rolled ahead of him down the road, or the time he cooked up a skunk just to appall his sisters. And none of us could walk away without laughing as Grandpa Fred chattered on about his beloved Millie and the day he was working in the garden, minding his own business, when he turned to find Millie barreling toward him, kitchen knife in hand slicing the air. That was the norm. She chased him with a knife every time she got drunk, and yet he always referred to her as the love of his life!

I had been itching to slip a family story into my writing, although it’s difficult to translate them to the printed page. They lack the distinct delivery of Grandpa Fred with his flawless inflection or a perfectly-timed raised eyebrow.

But, finally, I got one. My grandfather would tell how he’d win free beer through a couple of never-fail bar bets. I took my favorite—a real great trick—and worked it into a story for the Western Fictioneers anthology, The Traditional West.

In “New Dog, Old Tricks,” Marshal Gideon Miles, an African-American lawman in the Old West, is at a watering hole enjoying some Maryland Rye when a young cowpoke tells him to get lost. The kid doesn't know Miles is a peace officer and our hero doesn't reveal it. Miles decides to teach the kid a lesson using a (my grandfather’s) bar bet. In a nutshell, Miles challenges that he can drink three pitchers of beer before the owlhoot can drink three shots of whiskey. Think you can figure it out?

I came to my family's party late and never got to share my storytelling with the bunch from the 'round table' as they have all passed on. But, who knows, maybe in this wireless, electronic age they’re getting to 'hear' my stories after all. Hats off to you, folks. I miss you.

25 comments:

Chudney Thomas said...

There is nothing like listening to all the family telling stories and letting out secrets.

Leah J. Utas said...

Those are wonderful memories.

Ron Scheer said...

That's a real gift coming from a family of storytellers, and your post is a fine tribute to them. Must feel good to be carrying on a family tradition.

Charles Gramlich said...

well said, man. I had a few storytellers in my family, though not quite so prominent perhaps.

David Cranmer said...

Chudney, As a kid it would take awhile to understand some but as the teen years rolled around... yeah, the good stuff. lol.

Thanks, Leah. I'm betting you have quite a few as well.

Bittersweet, Ron. None of the folks I mentioned are around. But, yes, it is a good feeling to carry on.

Charles, You're the chief storyteller, pilgrim. No doubt about that. Just think how those Talera books will be passed down.

ChuckTyrell said...

The stories by old timers will be lost if our generation doesn't get them down. One reason why I write westerns set in Arizona. Cousin laughed about my story of Aunt Hat's Chili, saying it was right on. My brother found my mother's recipe box. Watch out for Grandma Whipple's Pioneer Cookbook!

Leah J. Utas said...

Any chance you'll tell us the trick?

David Cranmer said...

Grandma Whipple's Pioneer Cookbook would sell, Chuck. And I'm looking forward to more of your stories, sir. The one in THE TRADITIONAL WEST is one of the finest.

Leah, Oh, I'm so sorry but that would spoil the ending to my Gideon Miles tale. The answer is in "New Dog, Old Tricks."

Naomi Johnson said...

On the WILL THE CIRCLE BE UNBROKEN Vol 2 album, Emmylou Harris talks about family & friends sometimes gathering in the living room after work, telling stories and making music. I remember that living room, my dad's Martin guitar, and the family stories. We still gather, much less frequently, and share the stories but the music is gone now.

Jenny Woolf said...

Sounds to me as though you may be secretly yearning to write plays! Wouldn't it be a thrill to see someone perform your words.

David Cranmer said...

Naomi, I've loved the music of Emmylou Harris every since she performed with Gram Parsons. I will have to look for WILL THE CIRCLE BE UNBROKEN Vol. II. I bet those were magical times, Naomi. Actually I know they were. Just what I'm talking about and I appreciate you sharing.

Jenny, Are you making an offer? I can't say I was thinking about writing plays but I would never turn down an offer to get my work out there. Hm.. food for thought.

Thomas Pluck said...

In an hour or two, I'll be having coffee with two ninety year old great uncles, vets of Two, and a seventy year old bartender. One helped inspire my story at Beat to a Pulp. And I have plenty of family stories and jokes that I plan to use when they fit the purpose.

David Cranmer said...

I wish I was there, Tom. I'm betting more great stories ahead. Raise a toast to them from me.

frank bill said...

Great piece of history, Lazy Dave, family history is among the most important. Keeps them living on.

Jodi MacArthur said...

David, What wonderful memories and how neat you were able to write an episode of Miles from a family tradition. My family on my mother's side was very much the same way. My grandmother told many many stories from our family history from her side and my grandfather's, some of them enchanting, some of them deep dark and scary. They had a fiery relationship and always played pranks on each other so those were fun to listen to too. My aunt and uncle followed suit, so everyone was always playing practical jokes on each other and their spouses. Unfortunately, everyone ended up divorced and my grandparents both died of cancer, but the memories live on, and my stories are definitely inspired by these.

I will def look into the The Traditional West when I can afford it.

Richard Prosch said...

Great post! My grandpa had a bunch of great stories --the bawdy ones came more to the fore the older he got. Grandma would always interrupt just as he got to the punchline. Good memories.

pattinase (abbott) said...

I came from a family where no one ever, and I mean ever, told a story. So all of it is gone.

David Cranmer said...

Jodi, Nice that these memories/stories turned you into the writer you are today. You pulled the rug out from under me when you said "Unfortunately, everyone ended up divorced." Then again you provide similar twists in your superb fiction. (I hope that makes sense what I said.)

Rich, Ha. I remember the stories becoming more racy the older I got.

Patti, That is unfortunate but your family is correcting that in a big way now.

Barrie said...

I have some similar memories. Unfortunately, I'm not a great storyteller myself.

David Cranmer said...

Not a great storyteller! That's hard to believe, Barrie.

Chris said...

That's one thing your Grandpa and mine had in common, David. Mine would tell cop story after cop story, each wilder than the last -- and almost always ending with "My hand to God!" while his audience rolled with laughter.

Thanks for bringing me back...

David Cranmer said...

"My hand to God!" Ha. I love it, Chris. I had a relative that would always start a sentence with "To tell you the truth." He said it so much that if he didn't start it that way I assumed he was lying.

Dave King said...

This is a subject close to my heart: the prose and cons of using family anecdotes. Thanks for airing it. I found the post fascinating.

Gwyn Deakyne said...

I've always been fascinated by how a writer brings a character to life,Imagination,life experience?Thank you for taking the time to share,such delightful childhood memories.Allowing a peek into the beginnings of your writing career, and the family that sparked the writer in you.

Gwyn Deakyne said...

I've always been fascinated by how a writer brings a character to life,Imagination,life experience?Thank you for taking the time to share,such delightful childhood memories.Allowing a peek into the beginnings of your writing career, and the family that sparked the writer in you.