Richard Hugo taught me that anyone with a desire to write, an ear for language and a bit of imagination could become a writer. He also, in a way, gave me permission to write about northern Montana.

Quote by James Welch

Topics: James Welch Quotes

I wrote a lot in study hall to while away the hours.

I wrote a lot in study hall to while away the hours.

Nobody would take checks from Indians, nobody would give them any credit, and nobody would...

Nobody would take checks from Indians, nobody would give them any credit, and nobody would...

To receive this award from an organization I admire so much makes me totally happy...

To receive this award from an organization I admire so much makes me totally happy...

The title of the poems was The Only Bar in Dixon. We sent it out...

The title of the poems was The Only Bar in Dixon. We sent it out...

I am definitely a storyteller, but probably not a traditional Storyteller.

I am definitely a storyteller, but probably not a traditional Storyteller.

I think ethnic and regional labels are insulting to writers and really put restrictions on...

I think ethnic and regional labels are insulting to writers and really put restrictions on...

In a lot of Indian societies, spirituality has been lost, I think it's still the...

In a lot of Indian societies, spirituality has been lost, I think it's still the...

The townspeople outside the reservations had a very superior attitude toward Indians, which was kind...

The townspeople outside the reservations had a very superior attitude toward Indians, which was kind...

My poems were just kind of all over the place. They had no focus, no...

My poems were just kind of all over the place. They had no focus, no...

The economic piece is still missing, since it's so hard to attract industry to reservations,...

The economic piece is still missing, since it's so hard to attract industry to reservations,...

Before, Indian people had been so defeated, they were always looking for outsiders, for the...

Before, Indian people had been so defeated, they were always looking for outsiders, for the...

I used to object to being called an Indian writer, and would always say I...

I used to object to being called an Indian writer, and would always say I...

I do believe in the viability of Indian spiritualism.

I do believe in the viability of Indian spiritualism.

Our literature is in great shape.

Our literature is in great shape.

Willingness to change is a strength, even if it means plunging part of the company...

Willingness to change is a strength, even if it means plunging part of the company...

I wander around, get the lay of the land and try to imagine what kind...

I wander around, get the lay of the land and try to imagine what kind...