Here you"ll learn *Why the future of the Western looks bright, even for beginners. *how to glean gripping novel plot ideas from old West history *how to put real flesh-and-blood people on your pages. *how to put dialogue into your characters" own parlance *about narrative voice-which to use, and when to use it *why crisp, tight writing strengthens your story *how to layer on suspense- and resolve it with a wallop *how to do library research, talk to old hands, listen to the land *how to boost the odds of selling your books Called the most authentic writer of the American West, Braun presents a craftsmanlike approach to creating the Western novel with words that ring as true as a silver dollar. When you"ve finished the reading, you"ll be ready for the writing, and you"ll write a romping good story. Because that"s all that counts.