One: I do not know how to sit quietly and entertain myself. I get bored. Boredom is a clear indication of a lack of imagination.
Two: I do not know how to listen. I can talk, oh, can I talk. But I cannot shut up and pay attention.
Three: I do not know the names of things. Sometimes, I try to practice, thinking that, as a writer, it might be a good skill to develop, even at this late age. I sit, let’s say, for example, on the bench in the park, and try to make a mental of description of what I’m looking at. Trees, I don’t know what kind. The dug-out side of a hill, which exposes, um, rocks? A bird of some sort flies overhead disappearing into lumpy-shaped clouds.
Les Bohem has written a lot of movies and TV shows including Twenty Bucks, Daylight, Dante’s Peak, The Alamo and the mini-series, Taken which he wrote and executive produced with Steven Spielberg, and for which he won an Emmy award. He’s had songs recorded by Emmylou Harris, Randy Travis, Freddy Fender, Steve Gillette, Johnette Napolitano (of Concrete Blonde), and Alvin (of the Chipmunks.) His short novel, Flight 505, was published last year by UpperRubberBoot . His new album, “Moved to Duarte,” was just released on Jack Rabbit Day Records to much critical acclaim and no sales whatsoever.
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