Why Did You Opt for Journalism?

When I registered for college, there were two queues to choose from. At the end of one was a stocky gentleman, and at the end of the other was a hot former high school cheerleader. Frances, the cheerleader, chose journalism, and I followed suit. This decision led to a half-century of shared life and success, culminating in numerous books and a long-standing career as a newspaper columnist.

Reflecting on my journey, there was a formative influence from my high school English teacher, who introduced me to the The Great Shark Hunt by Hunter S. Thompson. This book encouraged me to consider journalism as a possible career. Soon thereafter, I found myself freelancing for music magazines, covering concerts and interviewing bands for free, an experience other students were only imagining.

Acknowledging Civic and Social Importance

While pursuing my passion, I also began to recognize the civic and social importance of journalism. After graduating college, I secured my first day job as a reporter for the Daily Hampshire Gazette in Northampton, Massachusetts. It’s easy to see how this path led to where I am today.

Early Beginnings and Persistent Pursuit

My journey as a journalist traces back to my earliest years when I wrote a poem at the age of eleven, inspired by my high school English teacher, Sister Mary Eunice. Entitled “The Dream,” the piece won a competition with a prize of $50—worth about $300 in today’s dollars. This early achievement ignited my passion for writing, a passion that has continued through the years.

Beyond writing poetry, I entered other competitions and even ventured into more serious topics. In one instance, I compared the American medical system to the British one, reflecting a consistent interest in writing about both personal and societal matters.

As a young student, I was approached by my father to write for a small hometown newspaper in Independence, Iowa. This was a formative experience, teaching me how to conduct interviews and structure stories. Over the years, my writing took me into a variety of realms, from interviewing authors like Kurt Vonnegut Jr., David Morrell, and John Irving, to covering presidential races and weather emergencies.

Educational and Professional Tribulations

Awarded a Ferner/Hearst full ride scholarship to the University of Iowa based on my writing from ages eleven to eighteen, I continued to excel. My academic achievements included being a National Merit Semi-Finalist and a top student in the entering freshman class, which led to additional scholarships and placement in honors classes.

While studying at the University of Iowa, I attended several Writers’ Workshop classes, critiqued by notable figures such as Kurt Vonnegut Jr. and Nelson Algren. Later, I worked as a film critic for the Quad City Times and taught English at various levels for nearly 40 years before retiring at age 57.

Writing Beyond the Classroom

Following my retirement, I authored four novels, wrote ten collections of short stories (both in print and digital formats), penned three screenplays, and a collection of six rhyming children’s books. I am represented by an agent, but given the slow process, I opted for self-publishing, particularly after advice from David Morrell.

My blog, Weekly Wilson, has been in operation since 2007, focusing on film, book criticism, and politics. Notably, my coverage of every presidential race from 2004 resulted in four books. I have also covered many film festivals, most notably the Chicago International Film Festivals of the past 20 years as well as SXSW, Sundance, and the Windy City Film Festival.

One of my novels, It Came from the 70s: From The Godfather to Apocalypse Now, compiles my film reviews from the Quad City TImes between 1970 and 1979, along with interactive trivia about the films.