Republishing this piece in honor of the 20th Anniversary of the western drama, Open Range. (I was reminded of this by a fellow blogger! How time flies!)
First of all, I want to say I adored Uncle Lauran. I just had no idea…
Recently, someone asked on social media about using different pen names for different genres. My first reaction was that a name is the most important aspect of a writer and should sell the author, regardless of the genre. It’s hard to imagine using multiple pen names and struggling to brand each one for different genres. I already have a hard enough time branding my single pen name. Of course, I’m self-published in today’s world. Back in my uncle’s day… sigh… oh, to be a writer when people actually visited libraries.
But the more I thought about it, the more I realized it’s not a new question. Writers have used multiple pen names to differentiate their stories and guide readers toward specific genres for ages.
Then, I had a ‘slap my forehead’ moment when I realized that one of the most amazing and prolific writers of the twentieth century, who had mastered this concept, was my very own uncle, Lauran Paine, a man who, like so many of us, struggled to get published, found his niche, and launched a career that resulted in over 1000 books! Yes, that’s three zeros, folks!
Here’s what People Magazine said about Uncle Lauran:
Ernest Hemingway—Lauran Paine can outwrite you! Franz Kafka—Lauran Paine can outwrite you! Count Leo Tolstoy—you too! Lauran Paine can outwrite all you pretty-boy novelists put together!
Uncle Lauran was listed in the ‘Guinness Book of World Records’ as the world’s most prolific living author for many years. The first thing I asked to see during my visit was a copy of that publication. I already loved the fun facts in the Guinness Book, and having an uncle’s accomplishments listed alongside records like the tallest man ever recorded, the shortest woman, and the largest living cat… well, that was the best.
At the time, I didn’t think to link that to what it meant to have so many of your own books on a shelf. They covered an entire wall! And that’s the crux of my musings today: he used over 70 pseudonyms, both male and female, depending on the market.
I’m not sure why I haven’t given Uncle Lauran’s writing more thought since I became a writer. My Dad shares a story about him every time I talk about my writing (which results in a lot of stories… hmmm…), and I love hearing them. But it wasn’t until today that I realized how amazing he was in his chosen profession, and I started remembering how he shared his experiences.
I loved listening to them back then. Today, as a writer, those conversations mean even more.
Memories are funny things. I’m sure you’ve had that moment when a single thought opens the floodgates. Uncle Lauran married my Aunt Mona in 1982. She was his favorite research librarian at the Siskiyou County Library (actually, more like the only research librarian). It was a late romance made in heaven. All the memories started playing like a film reel—the holidays at the cozy A-Frame in the mountains. Uncle Lauran, scaring off a huge bear that came to visit at the back porch one Thanksgiving, and his office full of his own books in the stone-lined basement built into the hill under the house.
So, I had to share. Because now that I am a writer and have taken another look at his body of work, I am floored. I would love the opportunity to go back in time and learn more about how he achieved it. He was a rock star! I appreciate much more now what he accomplished by sitting down and writing every day with a set schedule.
Books were his bread and butter. He wrote full-time from 1948 (though he started writing in 1934) until just before he died in 2001. He always talked about having a formula. If you master the formula, you can write anything consistently. Mr. Friedman of People Magazine captured the formula best in Uncle Lauran’s interview.
Keep in mind, he was a genuine cowboy from a much earlier era…
Paine churns out more than oaters. “After a while,” he says, “I get bow-legged with all these Westerns.” He’s done history, science fiction, mystery and romance. “Romances are the easiest thing in the world to write,” says Paine, “if you can stomach them.” In conquering his digestion, Paine must also come to grips with a problem all fiction writers wrestle with: empathy. “I don’t know much about women,” he admits. “But what man does? They’re emotional creatures.” So Paine has devised a formula to probe the depths of female psychology. “They want him, they don’t, they don’t know. By that time, you’re on page 251.”
Uncle Lauran really said that about the formula! He said it to me numerous times to convince me I could write. I guess I did have aspirations back then. Hmmm.
U.K. Writer Ben Bridges does a beautiful job of highlighting Uncle Lauran’s career. You can find his article here. I love what he has to say about the pen names:
When the paperback market began to dry up in the 1960s, however, Paine adopted several new pseudonyms and began turning out westerns primarily for Robert Hale, its subsidiary John Gresham and the then-buoyant library market. Now, in addition to Mark Carrel, he could also be found masquerading as Clay Allen, A A Andrews, Dennis Archer, John Armour, Carter Ashby, Harry Beck, Will Benton, Frank Bosworth, Concho Bradley, Claude Cassady, Clint Custer, James Glenn, Will Houston, Troy Howard, Cliff Ketchum, Clint O’Conner and Buck Standish, among many others. Additionally, he published scores of crime, science fiction and romance novels (virtually all issued by Hale or Gresham), but later admitted that thrillers and SF required more thought, time and planning to make them work.
Mr. Bridges, also published by Robert Hale, has an impressive body of work himself under his own variety of pen names. I discovered another author I need to study and read!
My favorite part of Uncle Lauran’s story was how long it took him to find his niche, which didn’t happen until he got advice from his publisher to write what he knows. He was a cowboy, a stuntman, he owned cattle. He said he had the scars to prove it. He wrote what he knew and he gave his readers tons of it. He used to tell us some of his Hollywood stories about the times he hung out on the lot of the Lone Ranger. He was friends with Jay Silverheels, who was the legendary Tonto. That’s just a sample.
Two movies were made from Uncle Lauran’s stories: 1957’s ‘The Quiet Gun,’ inspired by Lawman, and 2003’s ‘Open Range,’ based on The ‘Open Range Men,’ produced by Kevin Costner and starring Kevin Costner, Robert Duvall, Annette Bening, Michael Gambon, and Michael Jeter. It’s an amazing movie and does justice to the original story. My aunt managed Uncle Lauran’s works after his passing, working closely with Lauran Paine, Jr., and put in a lot of effort with Mr. Costner to bring her husband’s story to the big screen. She attended the premiere.
This story became…This story.I adore the old coversUncle Lauran picked this one for me because it is a beautiful western romance. I’d have to argue that he understood women despite his glib formula litany. I loved it.
Uncle Lauran didn’t just crank out serial fiction, but he also created an impressive, wide-ranging body of nonfiction. He brought this book to my Dad’s house during one of my visits, and I stayed up all night reading it. It’s enjoyable to discover these out-of-print books for sale from interesting booksellers. This particular one is listed by Common Crow Used & Rare Books.
Though I didn’t get a chance to thank Uncle Lauran for planting those seeds to tell a story when I was in my twenties, I hope he appreciated my fascination with all that he was and achieved, nonetheless.
This summer’s Q&As have centered on short story writing, and my friend, Dee, is the perfect guest to round out the theme in a totally fun and unique way. She is a long-time fanfiction short story writer for the classic western television show, BONANZA, plus so much more, as we will discover.
As a Trekkie (Star Trek fan), I’m familiar with fan fiction, having read and passed on to my nephew dozens of fabulous Star Trek novels. I’m also familiar with the show’s bible, a colloquial term for the official, internal production document used by writers and directors to maintain consistency across the series. In the case of BONANZA, the names and likenesses of the characters are copyrighted, and writers must adhere to the brand’s guidelines while publishing their stories within the series community established by the brand. Guidelines vary for classic TV shows with huge fan bases, like Emergency, Adam 12, Stargate, Quantum Leap, Charmed, and more. Check out this forum listing. It boggles the mind.
Some argue that fanfiction does not fall under fair use, as it is derivative work. The issue of whether fanfiction is transformative (profound alteration) or non-transformative (verbatim copying of preexisting works, or plagiarism) has been endlessly debated and fought in courts. Dee will take us behind the scenes in the life of an inspired fanfiction writer and her commitment to the BONANZA brand.
Let’s Meet the Author
Dee Beardsley is a retired legal support professional, current radio show script writer, producer, and director, avid quilter, Certified Zentangle Teacher (CZT), world traveler, and prolific BONANZA TV show fanfiction writer.
After a fulfilling career in the legal profession in San Diego, California, Dee knew where she wanted to head next in life.
She packed up her office and all her quilts and quilting paraphernalia and moved to Cartwright Country, aka Northern Nevada, just a few miles from historic Virginia City and the Ponderosa Ranch. She has written 63 stories since 2010, featuring the beloved Cartwrights in these settings, which you can find here.
Let’s Get Started
It’s about time I had you visit my Guest Spotlight, Dee. Thank you so much for joining me today. I want to chat about all the interests you love to pursue, many of which we share, but let’s start with writing. Can you provide the highlights of your writing journey and how it all began?
DB: Thank you for the invitation, Darci. I am humbled that you asked. In college, I was a tech major in Theater—costumes, lighting, makeup, and directing—but didn’t write my first television script until I was working on my Masters in Radio, Television, and Film. It was a 30-minute children’s show titled “The Thief Who Stole Time.” It was unbelievably hard to turn over my first script to a director whose vision of the production was not mine.
A life-long fan of BONANZA, I began writing fan fiction months after attending the 50th Anniversary Convention in 2009. I took a Writer’s Workshop there, devoured every word, and took copious notes (thank goodness for my legal shorthand!). I wrote my first BONANZA story over a weekend and, with a shaky hand and trepidation in my heart, I published it at midnight on the Bonanza World website. The first review said, “That is unquestionably the most powerful, gut-wrenching, amazing story that I’ve read in a very, very long time. Certainly, it’s the first one in ages that has moved me to tears—I kept thinking, “You can’t! You can’t!”—but an author can, because sometimes, that’s how life is.” I framed that review, and it hangs above my computer as a reminder that I can do it even when the writing/editing is hard.
DLL: Thank you for sharing this amazing story, Dee. What lovely feedback to fuel your new passion. And wow, I would have loved to have been at that convention.
What other types of writing do you engage in besides fanfiction?
DB: I wrote professional development articles for various legal publications during my career, and I continue to write content for Douglas-Carson Legal Professionals’ monthly publication as well as serve as its editor.
DLL: Douglas-Carson Legal Professionals (DCLP) is the local chapter of NALS, supporting members in Nevada. Dee does a fantastic monthly newsletter. I was a member from 2010 until I retired in 2023 and created and maintained its website until then.
I just want to add a plug for professional development organizations like NALS. For career-minded support professionals, there is nothing like getting out and meeting others in your field. Participation dwindled drastically during my membership. Maybe a result of new generations valuing meet-and-greet career development and networking less than past generations. While many organizations have adapted and thrive online these days, there is no better way (or fun way) to get the most out of membership than attending the conferences and events. Sit on a board. Run for office. Network in person. The benefits are phenomenal.
What works or authors have inspired you throughout your life?
DB: I love reading historical fiction, mysteries, fantasy, and an occasional biography. And the authors I admire would be (in no particular order): Diana Gabaldon, Robin Hobb, Scott Pratt, Leo Tolstoy, Naomi Novik, James Patterson, Stephen King, Fyodor Dostoevsky, Susan Howatch, Wilbur Smith, and, of course, D.L. Lewellyn.
Favorite books of childhood: Nancy and Plum by Betty McDonald; Pamela and the Blue Mare by Alice L. O’Connell; Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes. From 4th grade on, I would begin every school year by checking out these books from the school library. Other books would get added to the list over time, but these were the core. In 7th grade, I read War and Peace and fell in love with Russian novels.
DLL: 7th grade is the perfect angsty time for Russian literature. And wow, thanks for including me on your illustrious list. I will never see my name so close to Gabaldon or Tolstoy ever again, so I will cherish this forever. 😀
You recently participated in a presentation with Diana Gabaldon, right? Can you share some of your favorite insights from the Outlander author?
DB: I did. She was speaking to a local group in Flagstaff, Arizona, and I saw on Facebook that attendance by Zoom was possible. I love the Outlander series, so I signed up hoping to learn more. Diana has a great sense of humor and is unassuming, even a bit self-deprecating. She not only speaks very fast, but she chuckles while speaking. There was no way shorthand would work, so I turned on the voice memo on my phone to capture her stream-of-consciousness explanation of how she works. Please excuse the length of this answer, but I think it’s an important lesson in our craft.
Diana said she’s a hodgepodge thinker, not a linear one. She shows up every day to work and has no idea what’s going to happen, but she needs a kernel, an image or a line of dialogue that she can see and then she writes down a sentence describing whatever that thing is.
I write the sentence as carefully as I can to describe exactly what I’m seeing or hearing and then I look at it and I take words out and put words back in and I move pieces around and then I add another sentence and think no that’s not right but put a space in because I might want to use it later and I fiddle until that sentence is the way I want it and in the meantime the back of my head is kicking through the rubbish back there and turning up mushrooms and ooh I didn’t think that and sometimes that anchors me where I am what I call a cold day where I have no idea what’s going to happen. I have a lot of books on 18th century clothes and furnishings, houses, whatever and I will often pick up one of those like an old Sotheby’s catalog and go through it. Glass and silver and I’ll think somebody’s going to be eating or drinking something and I think I can describe it so I flip through it and there is this nice Waterford glass with panels in which Jacobite roses were engraved. I was thinking splendid. Well, maybe whoever owns this glass is not Jacobite. Maybe they’re our guest, and somebody who is a secret Jacobite put this in front of them to see how they would react. Anyway, I thought that might be good, so I put it sort of in front of my mind’s eye, so to speak, and started writing, and I said ‘The crystal glass’. Okay. Good beginning, but it’s just sitting there, not doing anything. Maybe something else is going to happen to it. Someone’s going to knock it over, and the crystal glass shattered on the floor. No, no, I don’t want to break it, it’s too pretty. Well something has to happen to it, so okay, it’s just sitting there, and there’s light shining through it, and I can see that, so the window must be open. Okay, the light. The light what? Okay, the light hit the glass a certain way, and it’s going to band, isn’t it, because of refraction and so forth? Do I want to go into that? No. Too scientific. The light struck the crystal glass? What about the roses? Do I need to put those in here? No, I can put them somewhere else. The crystal glass glimmered in the light? No. Wait a minute, I can see that light from my left and it’s blue and it seems cold somehow. What if it’s blue? Why is it blue? And I’m thinking the cold light…yeah, the cold, blue light. Okay, now we’re exploring timing. Well it has to be winter because it’s the 18th century. Why else would it be cold and blue? Okay, so I look out the window and there’s snow, and I think that’s why it is cold and blue because there’s snow, okay, it’s winter, okay. The cold, blue light of a winter afternoon—is that enough?—The cold, blue light of a late winter afternoon—that seems like a lot of words but let’s keep them for the time being. I can always take them out later. The blue light. No, the cold blue light of a late winter afternoon…okay, get the glass in… passed through the glass so the light passed through the crystal goblet…okay it’s a goblet instead of just a glass so we can put that in, giving it more of a nuanced sense…well, and did what? So I can see it…this is where refraction comes in and it bent and went splat on the table… okay, so the cold blue light of the late winter afternoon… no, it doesn’t matter if it’s late…the cold blue light of the winter afternoon passed through the crystal goblet and…I can’t say splat on the table… and cast a pool…I can see it…and cast an amber pool on the polished wood of the table. Okay. There we have it. The cold, blue light of the winter afternoon passed through the crystal goblet and cast a pool of amber light on the polished wood of the tabletop. We’re in Jocasta Cameron’s study and she’s sitting in front of the crystal goblet.
So that’s how a kernel works. It’s all very messy. It’s basically figuring out how your own brain works and working with it, not against it. It’s not what they teach you in fourth grade, i.e., you must have a topic sentence, etc. You just need an idea to start with something that will get you into the page.
Diana Gabaldon
What is it about Bonanza that makes you a huge fan? What themes or elements do you enjoy incorporating into your Cartwright stories most?
DB: As a canon writer of BONANZA fan fic, I stick to the guidelines established by the creator David Dortort:
In the Old West, it meant a lot to be a Cartwright. Being a family, loving the land, being honest and fair. Giving every man and woman a second chance.
More than most television shows, BONANZA has a heart and soul. To protect that heart and soul and to preserve the integrity of the show, the following are the essential values that must be maintained:
1. The Cartwright family, the good father and the good, loyal sons, are the center of gravity around which the show revolves. They may disagree on any number of issues, but always, in the end, they are a family again, all for one, one for all.
2. They stand for tolerance, compassion, and concern for all endangered species, and that includes the stranger in need of sanctuary, the battered mother, the abandoned child, the wounded animal, as well as the forests, the mountain stream, the lakes and ponds. No woman, no child, no animal can be abused without swift and full-bore punishment for the abuser.
3. The Ponderosa, the home of the Cartwright family, should be treated as a special kind of place, a sort of mythical kingdom on the glistening crown of the Sierra. Good people, role models, are in charge here. People slow to anger, but tread lightly or suffer the consequences. Stern, formidable when faced with injustice, but loose, relaxed, fun-loving, a family that can laugh at itself as easy as it can challenge a swindler, a bounty hunter, a slave master, or a robber baron, no matter how high the odds are against them.
David Dortort
DLL: What a marvelous insight into the mind of the show’s creator. No wonder fans still enjoy the show in syndication and the ongoing stories on the fanfic forum.
In the stories I’ve read of yours, the characters come across so vividly and true to their natures that I can imagine engaging with them at the Ponderosa Ranch or Virginia City in the 19th century. Dare I ask, who is your favorite Cartwright?
DB: Initially, when I was 12, it was Little Joe, but I soon realized that it was the whole family that mattered to me. My parents divorced when I was 10, and I didn’t see my Dad again until I was an adult. I had no siblings. Watching BONANZA allowed me to see what men were like, how they thought, walked, talked, and loved. So my favorite is the family.
Dee was given permission by Bonanza Ventures to share this image of the Cartwrights.
DLL: I totally get that, and it shows in your writing.Can you share a favorite scene from one of your stories?
BONANZA was on for 14 seasons. “The Way Home” is set in what I call Season 15. In this scene, Joe has been missing for two years and doesn’t remember that his brother Hoss is dead. Jamie is the youngest Cartwright son who was adopted in Season 13. Griff is the ranch hand who joined the cast at the beginning of Season 14. Billy is an original character of mine introduced in my first story, “My Father’s Heartbeat.”
The door was ajar, but Ben knocked lightly on it anyway out of habit. When there was no answer he pushed it open with his fingertips, but remained standing in the threshold, uncertain about entering. He didn’t know how his son felt about yesterday’s events. It was obvious when Joe drove into the yard with Griff that he knew he had been followed. He had shaken off offers of assistance when he climbed awkwardly out of the buggy, walked somewhat tipsily into the house, and went straight to his room slamming the door, not speaking to anyone. When Ben had checked on him later, he was sleeping with his deaf ear out, a trick he had begun using to avoid conversation. Griff was close-mouthed about why they were delayed.
It was only this morning when Ben was going through the portfolio and saw the Army contracts that he realized Joe must have seen them also. The title after Griff’s name must have been a shock to Joe, but the word “manager” had many meanings and could be changed with no real harm to either man. Ben was more concerned with the title after Billy’s name because he knew that “trainer” held more significance for Joe. No one trained his horses but him—no one.
Joe didn’t hear Ben’s steps in the hallway or the door creak as it opened, but he could feel his Pa’s presence all the same. Doc Martin was right in that his other senses were beginning to compensate for the hearing loss. Jamie had told him about a nitro explosion that left him blinded although he had been lucky and had regained his sight as predicted. The Doc had offered no such assurances this time. No, this time the hearing loss was likely permanent as was the vertigo.
Pa’s been smoking again. Joe knew his Pa had given up his pipe after a severe case of influenza last winter—last winter?—but all that must have changed in the time he’d been gone. It was more than the smell of pipe tobacco which filtered into the room when his Pa entered and sat down on the edge of the bed. It was The Look Joe felt boring into his back. He’s worried.
“I’m all right,” he sighed, not moving from the window.
“Well,” Ben said, “at least you’re not ‘fine.’”
Joe’s eyes flashed as he snapped his head around towards his father, ready to retort, but seeing the smile on Ben’s face, he held his tongue.
Ben could see what that quick movement cost Joe . . . the way he gripped the window frame to steady himself, the beads of sweat that broke out on his brow and lip. He could sense when the wave of nausea slammed into his son. It even appeared as though Joe had stopped breathing for a moment when he closed his eyes against the dizziness.
“Look at me son,” Ben said quietly.
Joe’s eyes opened and—exhaling slowly—he focused on his father’s face. Ben wanted so badly to put his hand around Joe’s neck and pull him close as he used to do, but Joe was keeping him at arm’s length both figuratively and literally.
“Talk to me, Joe. I know you’re angry with me, but we need to talk it out.”
When there was no response, Ben changed tactics.
“Tell me what it’s like.”
“What?”
“These attacks. What do they feel like? What happens to you?”
“What happens?”
“I want to know what you’re going through. Help me to understand, son.”
Joe sighed and stared out the window again. He remained that way for a long time. So long that Ben had almost decided to leave the room when Joe began to speak hesitantly as he struggled to put into words what he experienced.
“It’s . . . like being drunk only worse. Instead of the room spinning, I’m the one spinning. I have trouble hearing, my eyes go haywire, my head weighs a thousand pounds and I can’t hold it up. I sweat, throw up, and then want to sleep for a long time. When I wake, I feel like I was rode hard and put away wet. And I know it will happen again. And I know I’m powerless to stop it. But the worst part,” Joe paused. “The worst part is being treated like . . . like Little Joe.” He turned to look at his father accusingly, “like a child.”
Ben swallowed hard and met his son’s gaze. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry, Joe. You’ve no one to blame but me. I’m responsible for the way you’ve been treated. I’m the one that kept Jamie and the others away from you—to keep you from learning too much, too soon.”
The raw emotion that passed between father and son crackled like heat lightning. Joe was the first to discharge the static electricity with a simple question that had no simple answer.
“Why?”
A hundred responses went through Ben’s mind in as many seconds, each one rejected summarily. In the final analysis there was only one response required—the truth.
“Fear.”
The word echoed in Joe’s head becoming louder with each ping. Fear. Joe had felt fear many times, but not his father. Not Pa. No matter how old the son is, a father isn’t allowed to be afraid. Fathers are pillars of strength, but even as he thought, My Pa’s not afraid of anything . . . he’s the bravest man in the whole world! He realized it was a child’s voice he was hearing, not a man’s. And a part of him—suddenly a very large part of him—wanted to be a child again.
Instead, he lowered himself into the chair by the window and said simply, “Explain.”
It was Ben’s turn to rise from the bed and look out the window, but there was no joy in his stance.
Joe’s insides clenched. He had a very bad feeling and it wasn’t the vertigo.
“Pa . . .”
“Hush, Joseph. You asked for an explanation. I’m trying to give you one.” Ben turned and sat on the windowsill, his hands gripping the woodwork. He took his time, weighing his words carefully.
“A child is God’s greatest gift. A parent’s responsibility is to see to it that that child becomes a happy, responsible adult, a productive member of society, socially conscious, a caretaker of the environment, and lives a long and fruitful life. When a child becomes more than a parent ever dreamed possible . . . well, that’s a parent’s gift to God.
“From the moment each of you were born—you, Adam, and Hoss, I’ve sheltered, nurtured, cared for you as best as I could. I realize at times I was perhaps overzealous in that duty of care. I’m not proud of that, but it is instinct . . . a parent’s nature to want to protect their children from disappointment; to absorb as much pain and hurt as possible. That a child will experience those things anyway is a part of growing up, I know. But the desire to protect never goes away, even when that child becomes a man.”
“Pa,” Joe began. Ben raised a hand to silence him.
“One constant fear a parent has is that they won’t be there when their children need them; to help them when they stumble, to see them grow up and flourish. But the greatest fear every parent lives with is that they will outlive their children and not be able to fulfill that promise to God.
“Pa, I’m so sorry you thought I was dead. I don’t know—”
“Joe—”
“—where I was. I would have come home if—”
“Joseph—”
“—I could have.”
Ben leaned forward and placed his hands on Joe’s knees. “Son, I never believed you were dead. Roy, Paul, everyone tried to reason with me, but I never felt it in here,” Ben poked his chest. “What they were telling me made sense in my head, but not in my heart.”
“Then . . . I don’t understand . . . what are you talking about?”
“About the information I kept from you. I’ve been trying to shelter you, protect you from learning things that would hurt. I wanted to save you from the pain—” Ben’s eyes began to fill with tears.
“Pa, I’ll get over this vertigo—”
“Joseph—”
“—or I’ll learn to live with it like the doc says. You don’t hav . . . you don’t have to—”
Tears were now streaming down his Pa’s face and Joe was beginning to panic.
“—what? What is it I don’t know? What is it you have to tell me?”
“Joseph,” Ben said, placing his hands on his son’s shoulders. “Hoss is dead.”
For a long moment Joe thought it was his ear that had deceived him again; thought he had misheard. Dead? No. Hoss is on vacation. He’s just takin’ his sweet time coming home, getting even with me for being late. But his father’s anguish was genuine. He gripped Ben’s forearms to steady himself and held on, searching the face he knew so well for a sign . . . any sign that this was all a mistake.
“I am so sorry, Joe. I would give anything . . . my life . . . if you didn’t have to go through this again.”
Again? What do you mean again? “When?” he croaked. “How?”
“Nearly four years ago. An accident. He was . . .” Ben’s voice droned on, but Joe didn’t hear. All that echoed in his head was four years . . . four years . . . four years. He’d only been gone two years, they told him. I’ve lost four years?
Joe stood suddenly, gulping for air. He had to get out of the house. He ran down the stairs, out the front door, and vaulted onto the nearest horse. There was only one place on earth he wanted to be.
The ride to the lake was a blur. By the time Joe arrived his head was exploding with kaleidoscopic visions. He fell rather than dismounted and promptly rolled to his side to empty his stomach. Spent, he crawled on hands and knees to the moss-covered mound where his mother was buried and then he saw it. No! Next to her was Hoss’s grave, the blooms of a climbing rose entwining both headstones. As his fingers traced each letter of his brother’s name one by one, Joe’s heart fractured bit by bit until there was nothing left. Bereft beyond comprehension, he fell unconscious to the ground.
DLL:Thank you so much, Dee, for giving us an exclusive look at one of your stories! What a gut-wrenching scene ending, and beautifully done.
If a writer wanted to try their hand at fanfiction, where would you advise them to start? What skills are needed, and how would they find where to submit their work?
DB: Start with a show where you know the episodes and characters in and out. It could be any show from any era. My website, womenwritersblock.net, has over 2,400 stories in 52 different fandoms. I welcome new authors/fandoms, so contact me at wwbarchivist@gmail.com if you are interested.
Start simply, perhaps with a scene that you feel was missing from an episode. Or write a sequel to the episode—a what happened next, or instead.
DLL: Perfect! Thank you, Dee.And what a wealth of stories to access for free on your fantastic website.
From the perspective of someone involved in the fanfic genre, can you share your thoughts on the copyright controversy mentioned in the introduction? What are your thoughts on fair use and derivative works?
DB: Bonanza Ventures, Inc., the copyright holder for all things BONANZA, has granted Bonanza Brand a license, and we strictly follow the guidelines for the use of the names and images of BONANZA characters.
Fanfic has been around for centuries. Consider the oral and written retellings of the Greek Myths. Jane Austen and Charles Dickens had their share of fanfic writers. Yes, there are authors who have specifically forbidden fanfiction of their work, but there are many more who have embraced it. I would be more concerned about plagiarism.
DLL: That sums up well what I’ve been researching on this fascinating topic. Thank you.
In case you’re curious about the actual copyright language, Dee provided it for us:
The names and likenesses of the characters appearing in BONANZA photoplays, and any images and pictures from such photoplays, are collectively copyrighted and trademark-protected property of Bonanza Ventures and NBC Universal, Inc. (as successor in interest to the National Broadcasting Company, Inc.), and are made available only for private, non-commercial use.
Can you describe the BONANZA fanfic community and how dedicated the writers are to the brand’s integrity? I know the readers are dedicated as well. Can you give us an idea of the volume of readers visiting the Bonanza Brand info site and how they engage with the community beyond just reading the stories?
DB: Our community forum for all things BONANZA is bonanzabrand.info. Included are subforums dedicated to each character as well as each actor, episode discussions, games, puzzles, and more. There is also a subforum, The Virginia City Literary Society (VCLS), for writers, which offers writing challenges, workshops, discussions on the writing life, and research, plus an area for works in progress (WIPS) where a writer can get feedback and encouragement.
Our library site isBonanzabrand.info/library, and it requires a separate registration, but you can use the same password.
At Brand, our desire is to maintain a high-quality library where fans can enjoy a wide variety of stories. Readers come to explore stories about the Cartwrights, their family and friends, and the supporting characters who have come and gone in their lives. Readers do enjoy original characters as well as characters from other fandoms and how they interact with the Cartwrights; however, these characters shouldn’t push the Cartwrights to the periphery or out of the story.
We currently have over 4,350 stories in the library. Since BONANZA has a worldwide fan base, we have an app on the site that will translate a story into any language listed.
Stories are often based on episodes (431 of them!) and are identified in the summary, e.g.: WHN (what happened next); WHI (what happened instead); WHB (what happened before); WHIB) what happened in between scenes; AU (alternative universe—e.g., a Cartwright marries); or Crossover (between, say, BONANZA and The Big Valley). Many are completely original and true to canon.
Our guidelines are designed to provide writers with the opportunity to share their passion for the Cartwrights and the other characters created by David Dortort’s vision. Stories that are not consistent with this aim (e.g., slash, smut, sex with minors) are not tolerated and will be removed.
You asked about traffic. We get over a million hits a year, but of course, a lot of those hits are bots. Our stats for most viewed stories for the period January 1 – August 13, 2025, are 57,814 from the following countries: the US, the UK, Germany, Canada, France, Australia, Finland, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Thailand.
DLL: This is amazing! I love that readers around the globe can enjoy the stories in their own language and find stories inspired by their favorite episodes.
What is the longest story you’ve written, and what is the shortest? What’s your best advice on writing short stories?
DB: My shortest story in the library is “Alone” at 505 words.
My longest single story told in three parts is The Choices Trilogy (“Choices,” “Shadows,” and “Hunger”), totalling 47,500 words. “The Way Home” came in at 30,935. “Deception” at 18,437 and “One Candle” at 16,000.
Otherwise, I pretty much write in the 3,000 to 10,000 range. Truthfully, I don’t worry about word count unless it’s for a Drabble where the number of words is exact (a great editing exercise!). I write until the story is done, and then I edit the hell out of it. If it’s been said, don’t belabor the point. Make each word count. Get in; get out; be brief; be gone. And PROOFREAD!!!
My biggest bugaboo as an editor and beta reader is repetitive phrases (especially in the same paragraph). Use a thesaurus!
DLL: Great advice. Thanks!
Through your many organizations, writing, legal profession, radio, cinema, quilting, etc., you’re often called upon as a guest speaker. What are your favorite themes to share with your audiences across all subjects? What are your favorite themes when speaking about writing?
DB: Golly! You do ask tough questions, Darci! What it boils down to is that I am not a passive member of any organization with which I am involved. Active participation, purpose, commitment. Don’t be a seat warmer. Make a difference. At my writing workshops, I stress canon and being true to the characters created by David Dortort.
DLL: Thanks for rising to the challenge of satisfying my voracious curiosity. And, again, great advice.
Prior to your very busy retirement, you were busy raising a son, working as a legal support professional for top law firms, and an active member of NALS, the National Association for Legal Support Professionals, even serving as its national president. NALS is how you and I met. How did you fit your creative life into such an active schedule? What role did writing play in those earlier years?
DB: Creativity is like water to me. I have to have it to live, and I’ll cross deserts to find it. It’s what makes life worth living. When I was a Cub Scout den leader, every meeting was an opportunity to use my theater skills in interpreting the monthly theme, e.g., taking old sheets and stamping them with sponges dipped in paint to create castle walls and have the boys write a play about King Arthur. Or building a dogsled to “run” in the Iditarod, introducing Robert Service (“The Cremation of Sam McGee”) to the boys, and having them write and recite a poem about life on the Klondike and or building a doll house (I told them it was a ranch house. Shh!) and asking them to write a skit about living in the Old West.
I made a lot of quilts for the NALS Foundation for fundraising purposes… not much writing there! Now I donate Zentangle pieces to the Foundation’s auction.
DLL: I’m sure those Cub Scouts still hold those memories. They got to benefit from you crossing deserts. What great experiences! And what lucky auction participants.
One of the reasons we relate to each other so well is that we’re multicrafters who relish learning new things each new decade of life. We’ve shared many of our interests at conventions, classes, and retreats. Zentangle, for instance, with Audrey Markowitz, CZT. You’ve since been certified as a Zentangle teacher.
We’ve been roommates at NALS conventions. We had a NALS night out for National Law Day with the Carson City Cinema Club. As a member, you organized the event, and we enjoyed the best classic film ever, To Kill a Mockingbird. You’re still involved with the local NALS chapter, sharing your professional knowledge.
Most recently, we were roomies at the Virginia City Writing Retreat, where we enjoyed the truly inspirational setting at St. Mary’s Art Center (once a Victorian hospital), which featured in one of your stories.
You primed our participation by sharing one of your excellent writing presentations, featuring Dan Harmon’s Plot Circle.
I’m so happy we’ve been able to enjoy all these activities together over the years, plus so many lunches and meetups where we talk for hours about our love of art and writing. But I’m noticing a pattern as I reflect on our time together. Not only do you enjoy learning new things, but you also love sharing them with others through mentoring and teaching. You were the first person I turned to when I started writing and were instrumental in my progression.
Can you share your journey in exploring your diverse interests and more about what motivates your passion to create and then teach what you know?
DB: I am not ashamed to say that I’ve failed at something because you learn more from your failures than your successes. I also share what works for me and offer others a different way of looking at something, and hope something works for them. Perspective and alternatives.
A favorite book as a child was The Little Engine That Could. “I think I can, I think I can…I knew I could, I knew I could. I remember playing schoolhouse as a child and finding out that the best way to learn something was to teach it to someone else. For example, when I learned multiplication, I taught the younger kids in the neighborhood the principles to help me internalize it. What became clear when I began leading seminars and teaching classes is that everyone learns differently, so you need to present the same material in four different ways: for the auditory learner, the visual learner, the reading/writing learner, and the kinesthetic learner.
I have a curious and inquisitive nature and love learning and trying new things. Some stick, others don’t. I no longer build dollhouses, but I want to learn woodburning, and I recently acquired an engraving pen…so I’m looking forward to pursuing both in a spare moment or two. Ha!
I began quilting in earnest in the 80s and have more fabric than I’ll ever be able to use. What I love about that craft is the variety of tasks involved. I can piece blocks or assemble them into a top, quilt it or bind it, or sit at the computer and design a new one using EQ8—whatever suits my mood. The result is that I have many quilts in various stages of completion. Is that a good thing or a bad thing?
After I took a beginner Zentangle class with Audrey Markowitz, CZT, and became certified, I taught for a while at locations in Carson City and Dayton, both of which closed during COVID, so now I share my Zentangle knowledge with my “Dayton Divas,” and continue to take classes myself online or with other CZTs. The Zen in Zentangle is the meditative part. When I’m stuck on a story, I’ll create a tile focusing on one stroke at a time. Solutions to plots often appear out of thin air when I’m chilled out (or when I’m in the shower…but that’s another story.)
I took these photos when I joined Dee and the Dayton Divas for a Zentangle afternoon.
DLL: I should have guessed you were a mentor from an early age. 😄A great insight into how one creativity flows into another, resulting in multiple life-affirming benefits. You nailed the multicrafter’s character. I, for one, can’t have too many unfinished projects. You never know when the mood will strike to work on a particular one. And yes, those mindful activities work on the subconscious level to get ideas flowing. I recommend it!
As a retiree with a stacked calendar, how do you manage your time and commitments? Can you share your best tips and techniques for staying organized?
DB: Although it goes against my grain as a people pleaser, I have learned to say “no” and developed a personal motto/mantra: “Don’t promise what you can’t deliver and deliver more than you promise.”
Calling on my theatrical background, I mark my calendar entering the due date (opening night) first and work backwards, leaving time during the week prior to the due date for last minute changes or adjustments (dress rehearsal, tech rehearsal), the week or two before that for planning and acquiring of materials to complete the project (table read, scene work, blocking, run throughs, etc.).
If facing a same-day deadline, I still work backward: 5 p.m. (court closes); 4:30 p.m. (filing with court); 4 p.m. (copies made); 3 p.m.( messenger arranged, service envelopes prepared); 2:30 p.m. (remind attorney of deadline); 1:30 p.m.( ensure exhibits are in the correct order); 12 p.m.
(remind attorney of deadline); 10 a.m. (obtain filing fee check from accounting); 9 a.m. (remind attorney of filing). Obviously, I’m being facetious here, but the important thing to do is to lay out the push points, allow time for something to go wrong because it will, and have a backup or an alternative plan in mind.
I set aside one day of the week for me. No commitments. I usually mark my calendar as “studio” time. The point is, “ME” time is just as important as all the other demands.
DLL: Ooh, I love this theatrical-inspired method! All you planner fanatics (like me), take note. And wow, so many people I know, including me, struggle with saying no. I can see the necessity with all your commitments and your credo.
You’re an avid traveler. Can you share how travel fits in with your creative life?
DB: I love to travel, and I love road trips. I am also an inveterate cruiser. Experiencing new worlds and meeting people from different walks of life and cultures is an important part of that, but I also go on quilting cruises where I can indulge a passion AND meet new people AND see new places. I taught Zentangle to some shipmates on my 17-day Hawaii quilting cruise in January 2025. One of the ladies was 82!
During my circumnavigation of Australia last fall, BONANZA was a frequent topic. It started during introductions around the dining table (a different table every meal). No one had heard of Dayton, Nevada, so I usually just said “I live in Carson City… the Nevada state capital…” When I continued to be met with blank stares, I would add, “Cartwright Country,” and everyone would exclaim, “Bonanza! We love that show.” It didn’t matter what country they were from; they all knew the show.
The beauty of a ship is that you can do as much or as little as you want. I usually had a full schedule on sea days, attending cultural lectures and special programs about the ports coming up, the piano bar, the arts and crafts room, library, jigsaw puzzles, reading by the pool, writing, scholarly conversations in the art gallery, and silliness in the lounges.
DLL: I adore this!More proof of how one passion connects to others, often in surprising ways, enriching our lives.
In addition to all the crafts previously mentioned, you’re listed on your very own IMDb page as the writer, director, and producer for The Feud (2025), the Radio Story Hour (2023), and Secrets of Harridge House (Audio Drama) (2020). I think of it as an extension of your writing craft, but can you share how you got involved in local radio and what you love about it? The same for your involvement with the local cinema club.
DB: I joined the Carson City Classic Cinema Club when I first moved to Nevada as a way to meet people and create ties with the community. At the first open board meeting, I volunteered for something and was soon appointed to fill a vacancy on the board. From there, I became an officer and then started a monthly newsletter—the C5 NewsReel, which features information about the classic films being presented. Soon after, I joined Rhonda Abend and Jeff Fast, the hosts of a weekly radio show on KNVC 95.1 dedicated to classic cinema. Through those connections, I met Scott Young.
During the pandemic, when live theater went dark, many producers turned to audio as a way to keep actors, writers, and directors working… and to prevent their spouses and significant others from committing murderous acts. Advances in remote recording technology meant productions could be created safely from anywhere in the world, without cast or crew ever having to be in the same room. I was approached by Scott, Supervising Producer of the gothic horror drama Secrets of Harridge House (airing on KNVC 95.1 FM and as a podcast), to try my hand at the Season 2 opener. My first attempt was a disaster. Writing for audio is nothing like writing narrative fiction. Instead of painting scenes with all five senses, you have to rely entirely on dialogue, music, and sound effects. Scott saw potential and gave me another shot. That second script made it to production, and over the next two years, I wrote 10 episodes across Seasons 2 and 3, also serving (uncredited) as the co-writer of both season Bibles. I eventually became Supervising Producer for Season 3 alongside Cody Lindenberger, helping to shape the show’s long-range story and ultimate conclusion.
When Scott launched Radio Story Hour, I joined as a staff producer, adapting and directing two Edgar Allan Poe stories (airdates pending). I also worked with him as a Consulting Producer on the first season of “Murphy’s, Inc.,” helping select the writing team and guide them through story development. It was a joy to mentor emerging talents Austin Dai and Terra Eon, whose strong work allowed them to run the writing of the series entirely during its first season. They later opted to bring in new writers to collaborate with them for Season 2.
One second chance opened the door to all of it, and I’m grateful I walked through.
DLL: I’ve always admired how things worked out for you so quickly after retiring and moving your life to Northern Nevada. Thank you for sharing such a wonderful example of taking a leap of faith into opportunity at any stage of life.
Now, this might be a tough question, but what is your favorite among all your pursuits? Which one is the most mindful and relaxing?
DB: They all have their place and time, and a season to every purpose.
DLL: Well said.
Thank you so much for visiting today, Dee! Do you have any parting words of advice for those who have many passions they want to pursue but struggle to find the time?
DB: Make time, even if it’s 5 minutes a day. You’d be surprised how those minutes add up and what you can accomplish.
Cartwright Country
Since I share a love of Northern Nevada and its history with Dee, I’m leaving you all with a stroll through our high desert and mountain neighborhoods.
There’s also the colorfully named Bucket of Blood, photo courtesy https://www.nvexpeditions.com/storey/virginiacity.php, and so many more. Check out this great body of photos of the silver mining commerce of yesterday still thriving today, thanks to the tourists, who visit in droves from 1.2 to 2 million a year.
If you’re sensitive to paranormal activity, watch closely while traversing those wooden sidewalks. You might see a figure looking out a window from the boarded up upper floors.
For years, my husband and I brought all our visitors to Virginia City, partaking in the mine tour, the wild west show, and riding the awesome steam locomotive. There are many ways to experience the Old West in this remarkable town.
Soon after my husband and I moved to Nevada, we visited the Ponderosa Ranch at Incline Village, and thank goodness we did. Sadly, the family-owned theme park closed in 2004 due to selling the property to a land developer, but it was a popular destination for world travelers visiting Lake Tahoe for many years. The world still loves BONANZA as Dee attests to with the volume of visitors to the Brand’s info site.
This map is on permanent display at the Autry National Center in Los Angeles. Assuming that north is supposed to be up, the map was drawn incorrectly. When Ayres showed the map to series creator David Dortort he said “I love it, but your directions are wrong.” Ayres fixed this by adding a compass with north pointing to the left and up. If only all cartographic problems could be solved this way.
Isn’t it fantastic? It was used in the opening credits, burning away as the Cartwrights rode in on their horses. Enjoy watching the YouTube video below.
I live smack in the middle of it, New Washoe City, which is adjacent to Washoe Lake State Park, situated above the fictional Ponderosa Ranch territory. It’s been a marvelous place to call home for the last 30 years, with its paradisiac views and close neighbors.
Dee lives just about straight up (according its creative direction) from the middle of Carson City at the right of what I think is supposed to be the Carson river.
This map from Wikipedia provides an accurate orientation.
Old Washoe City, Nevada, was founded in 1860 as a supply town for the nearby Comstock Lode mines, particularly Virginia City. It thrived initially due to its location near Washoe Lake, which provided ample water power for lumber and ore processing mills, and its role as a major freight hub. However, the town’s prosperity was relatively short-lived. The completion of the Virginia & Truckee Railroad in 1869, which bypassed Washoe City, and the shift of milling operations closer to the mines, led to its decline. By 1880, the population had dwindled to about 200, and Washoe City eventually became a ghost town.
Eight years ago, the modest community with thriving Highway 395-accessible businesses was hit again when the final extension of I-580 bypassed it. History repeating itself.
Still, the old 395 highway pulls in visitors to places like the Chocolate Nugget Candy Factory, the historic Bowers Mansion, and other draws such as nature exploration, hiking the Ophir Creek Trail, which connects Davis Creek Regional Park to the Tahoe Rim Trail at Tahoe Meadows.
Check out “Where I Live” for some amazing photos, which I’ve taken over the years, of the valley, lake, and views from my home, and other nearby historic western treasures located throughout the northern Sierra Nevada Mountain range.
Thank you so much for visiting. Comments are welcome!
By D. L. Lewellyn 