Wild West Monday is the promotional brainchild of British writer Gary Dobbs. Gary is a bit-part actor, who when he's not busy being deleted by the Cybermen or exterminated by the Daleks on British sci-fi series Dr Who, writes westerns.
The idea is a simple one that several times a year on a specific date everyone who is minded to join in should do something westerny and then let everyone know what they've done. It doesn't matter too much what's done, just that those interested should be open and enthusiastic about their interest and so help to raise the profile of westerns.The first WWM was held last year and it gathered a small amount of interest. The second WWM last month gathered more. People wrote items on blogs, wrote articles, harassed booksellers with requests for westerns, and when they couldn't provide them as they don't stock any, requested to know why not? One person even persuaded his granddaughter to read a western then speak about it at school. For my part I was spurred into action to set up my own blog. These were all minor things but they were fun and hopefully they did in some small way do something to make a few people think about westerns when they might otherwise not have.
Even more hopefully the idea will continue to snowball. The next Wild West Monday has been scheduled for June 1st when the aim is to continue to expand the initiative. I'm not specifically asking anyone to do anything on that day (well, not yet), but if you're minded, then please put it in your diary that on the next WWM, you'll think positive thoughts about the western.
Of course like all good ideas, this initiative is available for alternate takes and angles… Mystery Weekend or Romantic Friday anyone?
9 comments:
What an absolute hoot! I think I'll stick up the first stage into town on June 1st LOL
How fun! I love the concept.
Wild West Monday - I love westerns, though I can't write them. I'll pass this on to a few of my friends who can and do!
Thanks
Another thought--I remember as a kid they had Ranch Night at the Drive-in theatre every Wednesday. We'd all pile into the car and go in the summer holidays. They'd show two movies and a very exciting serial. We lOVED it.
Not many western movies made these days.
What a great way to celebrate the wild west! Since Elizabeth is already aiming at the first stage, I will make another plan. I'm not exactly sure what that will be yet, but there will probably be a big handsome cowboy involved.....
Good luck with the cowboy, Christine.
It's not the case that there's few westerns made these days though. Quite a few big budget ones get made every year now. Only in the last week the Coen brothers announced they'll remake True Grit, this time made from the viewpoint of the Kim Darby character, and today it was announced that (grits teeth and counts to ten to calm down) Tom Cruise wants to remake Butch and Sundance.
Why on earth do they insist on remaking classics??? I shudder to think who Tom Cruise thinks he'll play--he ain't no Paul Newman that's for sure.
I have good news and bad news. The good news is Tom Cruise will not be playing the Paul Newman role. The bad news is, John Travolta's taking it on!
Well . . . I don't mind JT as a rule but not in that role. But why?????
Maybe it's a send-up version. Imagine the splash when they jump off the cliff LOL JT's a big boy these days.
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