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Thank you, Billy Ray Chitwood . . .

9/11/2022

36 Comments

 
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Dear blog friends, 

Yesterday I learned that a writer friend is not doing well. I've never met Billy Ray Chitwood in person, but I think of him as a close friend because of his books and blog. Isn't that how most of us know each other?

Through our writing, we give of ourselves. We share tidbits of our life, our dreams, and our sorrows through our characters. One way or another, these fictional people come to life because of our personal journey. Sometimes we even sell a book. 

Today I honor my friend and all writers, who in silence pound away at a keyboard and create different worlds. I'm grateful for each of you. At times you have brought me to tears, other times to a dreamy world, and always to a place in time that I've not visited before.  

I invite you to enjoy some glimpses into one writer's life -- Billy Ray Chitwood.
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IN HIS OWN WORDS:

​Wish I could put a 'smiley face' on my life and struggles, but I must be truthful. I came into the world as a 'blue baby', born in a clapboard house up a muddy lane in a sawdust hamlet of rural Tennessee. It was the aftermath of a big depression. Poverty was everywhere, as were malaria and broken homes.

I'm rather fond of a phrase I used in my memoir: I ate a lot of emotional soup as a kid and have been trying all my life to digest it. The broken home, family, the times, the world were vague message carriers at the time. There were emotional and physical abuses by an itinerant father. There was a strong and hard-working mother who tried to keep the family together, working as a telephone operator by day, in war assembly plants at night, and as a boarding house cook. She was a wonderful mother.

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HIS THOUGHTS ON WRITING:
  • Writing is my therapy. I find pieces of me on and between the lines of what I write. Writing for me is as much about finding those loose ends of my life smack in the middle of a sentence or paragraph as it is writing a polished piece of prose that readers will enjoy reading. Nothing gives me more pleasure than grabbing a word or phrase that says exactly what I want it to say. It's difficult for me to imagine good writing coming without passion.
  • As a kid I played around with words, writing silly poetry, mimicking the famous singers of the day - loved to sing. After a ten-year marriage came to an end, I played with the 'lotus eaters' for a number of years – booze, gin mills, piano bars, pretty ladies, and lonely motel rooms...wrote my maudlin poetry on bar counter napkins and motel stationery...my 'self-pity period'... In college the English Romantic poets – Wordsworth, Lord Byron, Shelley, Keats, Coleridge - appealed to my emotional hunger, as did the group known as the 'Naturalists': Emile Zola, Thomas Hardy, Stephen Crane, Theodore Dreiser, Frank Norris, Jack London, et al.
  • ​About his first book: A dear actress friend of mine was brutally murdered in Phoenix, AZ. She was twenty-six years old, a mother of two small children, and had her entire life in front of her. Her body was found in the desert six weeks after her disappearance and savage murder, ravaged by the summer heat and denizens of the desert. My first book, PROBABLE CAUSE, was published and went out of print. That book became the first 'mystery' book out of six of the 'Bailey Crane Mystery Series' (Books 1-6) – AN ARIZONA TRAGEDY – A BAILEY CRANE MYSTERY (Book 1 of 6). The book was my way to say goodbye to a lovely lady whose life was cut short by an evil predator...the killer has never been caught, so far as I know, and the case remains a 'cold case' for the Phoenix Police Department.
​~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~
Have a wonderful week, dear blog friends... 
​❤️
36 Comments
Julie A Chitwood
9/11/2022 09:19:48

Thank you for such a lovely tribute to Bill. He has so enjoyed the friendships he has made online, with some of them, like yours, becoming even more special through the years. I sometimes think that a few online friends know more about us then anyone else.
Bill has been off of him computer for weeks now, as it has become even more difficult for him. He now spends most of his time re watching beloved movies - discovering them anew.
Again, thank you for your caring. Life is an amazing adventure - made more so by the friends we meet along the way.
Proud to be Billy Ray Chitwood's wife and companion. Julie

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Gwen M. Plano
9/11/2022 09:47:49

Thank you, Julie, for sharing your home with us -- through Billy Ray's writing. Sending love and prayers to you both. ❤️

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Harmony Kent link
9/11/2022 10:16:07

Sorry to hear about Billy’s decline, Julie. Keeping you both in my thoughts and sending love and hugs 💖

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Joan Hall link
9/11/2022 09:39:07

Gwen, this is a lovely tribute to Billy Ray. My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family.

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Gwen M. Plano
9/11/2022 09:49:26

Thank you, Joan. Writers are a caring community, and at times like this, even more so. ❤️

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Jan Sikes
9/11/2022 09:56:47

What a beautiful to Billy Ray and to writers everywhere. I have enjoyed several of Billy Ray's books. He had a storytelling knack what was all his own. My thoughts and prayers are with Billy Ray and his family. Thank you, Gwen!

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Gwen M. Plano
9/11/2022 13:55:48

Thank you, Jan. Billy Ray had a wonderful storytelling gift. I always enjoyed his books.

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Harmony Kent link
9/11/2022 10:14:47

Thank you for sharing your lovely tribute to Billy Ray and his life and writing. Keeping him and his wife, Julie, in my thoughts, and sending them love and hugs. Sorry to hear of Billy’s decline.

Hugs to you, too, Gwen 💕🙂

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Gwen M. Plano
9/11/2022 14:03:24

Thank you, Harmony, for your beautiful thoughts and love. ❤️

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Mae Clair link
9/11/2022 10:37:58

This was a beautiful tribute, Gwen. My heart goes out to Billy Ray, his wife, and family. I pray he has peace and comfort, and knows that he has touched many lives within the writing community and among readers. I'm sending prayers and thoughts of comfort.

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Gwen M. Plano
9/11/2022 13:58:59

Thank you, Mae. I know his family will deeply appreciate your prayers and kind words. ❤️

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Diana Peach link
9/11/2022 10:48:42

Thank you, Gwen, for your remembrance of this kind and talented man. I'm sorry to hear that his health is suffering and wish him and his family much love during this emotional time. We become close to our online friends and your message of appreciation reflects my own thoughts. Hugs.

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Staci Troilo link
9/11/2022 11:43:10

Gwen, thank you for the update. This is such a lovely post, and I hope it touches his and his family’s hearts as much as he’s touched ours over the years. Offering prayers.

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Gwen M. Plano
9/11/2022 14:00:54

Thank you, Staci. I know it means a lot to his family to hear how much he touched our lives. ❤️

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john howell link
9/11/2022 11:52:58

A beautiful tribute to Billy Ray. Gwen. I was touched by Julie's response as well. Thank you for sharing

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Gwen M. Plano
9/11/2022 14:01:58

Thank you, John. Julie's response was very touching. I know she and the family are grateful for the good wishes of all. ❤️

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Beem Weeks link
9/11/2022 16:58:37

A wonderful tribute, Gwen. My thoughts and prayers are with Billy and his family. He is a unique human being.

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Gwen M. Plano
9/11/2022 18:10:48

Thank you, Beem. My prayers are with him and his family as well.

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Annette Rochelle Aben link
9/12/2022 05:01:49

Sending love, light and peace to Billy Ray, his family and the entire writing community!

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Gwen M. Plano
9/12/2022 06:37:34

Thank you so much, Annette. I know he and his family much appreciate your kindness. ❤️

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CS Boyack
9/12/2022 05:16:55

So sorry to learn of Billy Ray’s decline. I always enjoyed my interactions with him, and pray for him and his loved ones.

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Gwen M. Plano
9/12/2022 06:44:36

Thank you, Craig. Billy Ray had a wonderful way of connecting with others. Like you, I always appreciated the interactions. ❤️

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Elizabeth Gauffreau link
9/12/2022 05:19:19

I'm very sorry to hear that your friend Billy Ray isn't doing well.

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Gwen M. Plano
9/12/2022 06:42:15

Thank you, Liz. I hope you and yours are going well.

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Jill Weatherholt link
9/12/2022 05:21:00

Thank you for sharing this,Gwen. I connected with Billy through John Howell many, many years ago. I'm sorry to hear his health has declined. I'll certainly keep him in my prayers. xo

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Gwen M. Plano
9/12/2022 06:40:25

Thank you, Jill. I could have met him through John as well. Your prayers are much appreciated. ❤️

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Priscilla Bettis link
9/12/2022 08:17:27

Sorry to hear this, Gwen. May Billy Ray and Julie be filled with peace.

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Gwen M. Plano
9/12/2022 13:50:37

My deepest hope for them as well, Priscilla. Thank you. ❤️

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Pete Springer link
9/12/2022 09:37:35

None of us have control over the hand were dealt in terms of coming into the world. Much respect to Billy Ray for changing the course of his life. Words have the power to hurt or heal, and he teaches us which path to choose.

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Gwen M. Plano
9/12/2022 13:51:25

Beautifully said, Pete. Thank you. 😊

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D.L. Finn
9/12/2022 10:59:45

This is a beautiful tribute to Billy. I have enjoyed his books, and blog and have more stories to read. I will be keeping him and his family in my prayers.

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Gwen M. Plano
9/12/2022 13:52:20

Thank you so much, Denise. I know they are very grateful. ❤️

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Marcia Meara link
9/13/2022 10:30:35

A wonderful tribute, Gwen. We have such a close-knit and supportive writing/blogging community that it really makes us sad when someone isn't doing well. Sending prayers and well wishes to Billy Ray and his loved ones, and sending thanks to you for letting us know what's going on in their lives right now. ❤️

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Roberta Eaton Cheadle
9/13/2022 23:01:51

Hi Gwen, I am so sorry to learn this news about Billy Ray. I have also interacted with him on line and we share a love of poetry. Wishing him and his family all the very best.

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