Biography
The Early Years of Wilson Rawls
Born on a crisp autumn day, September 24, 1913, Wilson Rawls entered the world as the son of Minzy and Winnie Rawls. His childhood unfolded on a quaint farm near the rustic landscape of Scraper, Oklahoma. In this rural setting, Rawls discovered the magic of reading, a gift bestowed upon him by his mother who would read from volumes gifted by his grandmother. For a time, Rawls was convinced that books were meant for girls until one fortuitous day when his mother introduced him to a tale that would forever alter his path. This transformative book was none other than Jack London's Call of the Wild, a story of adventure and companionship that gripped Rawls' young heart. It became his cherished possession, a treasure he read to his dog, and a beacon that kindled his own dream of writing tales that might move others as deeply.
The Struggle and Persistence
Growing up in poverty, Rawls faced numerous challenges, one being the absence of formal education since no school existed in his remote area. Undeterred, his mother took on the role of educator, teaching him and his siblings the basics of literacy. When a school finally emerged, Rawls eagerly attended during the brief summer months. Eventually, his family relocated to Tahlequah where he attended school more regularly but economic hardship forced him to leave before finishing eighth grade. However, his aspiration to write never wavered. Rawls often confided in his father about his literary ambitions. Although the family couldn’t afford writing supplies, his father offered a nugget of hope and wisdom, "Son, a man can do anything he sets out to do, if he doesn't give up."
Journey Through Labor and Words
Guarding his literary dreams closely, Rawls spent his teenage years traversing the country as an itinerant carpenter. His career path was varied; from oil companies to construction sites in Mexico and South America, to laboring on the Alcan Highway in Alaska, and building parts of major U.S. dams. He also worked in bustling West Coast shipyards and served with the Oregon State Navy. Amidst all these endeavors, Rawls remained dedicated to his craft, scribbling stories on any scrap of paper he could find.
The Turning Point
August 23, 1958, marked a pivotal moment in Rawls' life when he wed Ann Styczinski at the age of forty-five. Just before this new chapter, Rawls made a heart-wrenching decision to destroy his literary works, including five completed novels stored in his trunk. Among them was Where the Red Fern Grows. Only through Ann's encouragement did Rawls painstakingly reconstruct the story, drawing from the nostalgia of his childhood experiences. This beloved tale was serialized in the Saturday Evening Post as "Hounds of Youth" and later published by Doubleday. Its publication saw it featured in additional newspapers, captivating a wider audience.
The Legacy of Encouragement
In 1959, Rawls embraced the life of a full-time writer, passionately engaging with students across the western United States. By 1975, his travels extended to the eastern states, where he inspired young minds to pursue their dreams with integrity and perseverance. "As long as [you] are honest and truthful and don't hurt anyone along the way, [you] will have help in reaching [your] goal," he reassured them. His words of wisdom became a guiding light for aspiring writers.
Do a lot of reading. Do not worry about grammar and punctuation on your first draft. The important thing is to get your story down on paper. Your first work will probably need a lot of rewriting. You can worry about grammar and...
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punctuation then. Remember, the more you write and rewrite, the better you will get. And most important of all, do not get discouraged. If you keep trying and don't give up, you will make it some day. The road can be rough, but the day you see your work in print will make it all worth it. Best of luck!
Enduring Legacy and Acclaim
Wilson Rawls' journey came to an end on December 16, 1984, when he succumbed to cancer in his beloved hometown of Marshfield, Wisconsin. His literary contributions and involvement with organizations such as the Authors Guild, Authors League of America, and the International Platform Association, among others, were commendable. His celebrated works, including Where the Red Fern Grows, earned him a nomination for the "Gold Star List" and the Evansville Book Award. Summer of the Monkeys garnered accolades such as the Sequoyah Children's Book Award, the William Allen White Children's Book Award, and the Golden Archer Award, ensuring his legacy as a cherished storyteller.