Earl Hamner’s Early Writing Skill

[flossieskid]

Having just discovered this site, I am sure many members have, over the years, discussed the amazing Earl Hamner! I first met Earl a few years before The Waltons were created. Both my parents were actors in the heyday of radio when Earl was writing many of the shows. That was how their friendship began. Most of the times I would see Earl were at parties or social gatherings. Sadly, Claire Whitaker ( exec. producer and screenwriter of many Waltons) had a son, Ernie, who died of ASL when he was only 50. Shortly before his death, Ernie participated in a documentary about people in wheelchairs. Earl, my daughter and I were in attendance, with so many other friends, to support Claire at a screening. My daughter is a journalist, and although she enjoys writing the news here in LA, she had an idea for a book she wanted to write. She asked Earl how do you get the discipline to write everyday? He told us a story about when he lived in NY. He and a friend were getting lazy and not producing enough work each day. The 2 of them decided on a way to FORCE them to work. They each had to create 10 pages a day of a script and meet up at their local bar every night, script pages in hand. If either didn’t produce that number, they would have to pay the other writer $10.00. Earl said, “This was the 40’s and money was tight, so we made darn sure we created those 10 pages - every single day! The bet FORCED us to write because neither one of us could afford to lose that money.” Earl said, “Once you force yourself to write every day, it will become easier. Write something every single day. It doesn’t have to be perfect just anything to stimulate your creativity.” So, this may give some insight as to why Earl was such a prolific writer. When he (and his friend) gained some success, the discipline of writing came much easier. But Earl said, “ Believe me, it gets easier when you get paid for the words you make up!” Earl didn’t have to take the time to give my daughter a pep talk or share his valuable advice, but that is who Earl was: a kind, thoughtful soul and one of the nicest, most talented writers I ever met! Isn’t it wonderful that generations to come will continue to enjoy The Waltons because of amazing Earl Hamner!

[Brenda]

I met Earl Hamner several times at various Waltons fan events. I even got a phone call from him once. He had a question about logging on to this forum, and he got my phone number from Carolyn Grinnell (fan club president). Imagine my surprise when I saw “Hamner, Earl” on my caller ID!

Earl was the same age as my mother. They were both born in July 1923. I mentioned this to Earl, and on her 90th birthday, he sent me an email with a special birthday greeting for her. She was thrilled!

Earl Hamner was truly a national treasure. Thank you for sharing your memories of him.

[Kyle]

Great stories. Thank you both for sharing them.

[JessicaGirlSpy]

Feb 25, 2021 8:03:56 GMT -5 flossieskid said:

Having just discovered this site, I am sure many members have, over the years, discussed the amazing Earl Hamner! I first met Earl a few years before The Waltons were created. Both my parents were actors in the heyday of radio when Earl was writing many of the shows. That was how their friendship began. Most of the times I would see Earl were at parties or social gatherings. Sadly, Claire Whitaker ( exec. producer and screenwriter of many Waltons) had a son, Ernie, who died of ASL when he was only 50. Shortly before his death, Ernie participated in a documentary about people in wheelchairs. Earl, my daughter and I were in attendance, with so many other friends, to support Claire at a screening. My daughter is a journalist, and although she enjoys writing the news here in LA, she had an idea for a book she wanted to write. She asked Earl how do you get the discipline to write everyday? He told us a story about when he lived in NY. He and a friend were getting lazy and not producing enough work each day. The 2 of them decided on a way to FORCE them to work. They each had to create 10 pages a day of a script and meet up at their local bar every night, script pages in hand. If either didn’t produce that number, they would have to pay the other writer $10.00. Earl said, “This was the 40’s and money was tight, so we made darn sure we created those 10 pages - every single day! The bet FORCED us to write because neither one of us could afford to lose that money.” Earl said, “Once you force yourself to write every day, it will become easier. Write something every single day. It doesn’t have to be perfect just anything to stimulate your creativity.” So, this may give some insight as to why Earl was such a prolific writer. When he (and his friend) gained some success, the discipline of writing came much easier. But Earl said, “ Believe me, it gets easier when you get paid for the words you make up!” Earl didn’t have to take the time to give my daughter a pep talk or share his valuable advice, but that is who Earl was: a kind, thoughtful soul and one of the nicest, most talented writers I ever met! Isn’t it wonderful that generations to come will continue to enjoy The Waltons because of amazing Earl Hamner!

I wish they would have used the 10 pages a day or $10 as part of an episode i can see John Boy frantically writing 10 pages because he can't afford the $10

[kazk]

I love this story. Thanks so much for sharing it!

[nedandres]

Earl Hamner, Jr., was one of a kind. When I was in eighth grade, for a reading class assignment, I started writing an episode of "The Waltons," and I wrote to Earl to see if he would read it. He answered me and said that he was unable to, because they had a certain group of writers that they worked with. Later, when he was writing "Good Night, John Boy," with Ralph Giffin, he contacted Carolyn and asked her to have some fans write short paragraphs about their favorite episodes. Carolyn contacted me and I wrote about three. I submitted my three paragraphs to Earl by email, never knowing what would happen. They made the cut. I was so excited. In July 2004, when I saw Earl again (I met him the first time at the 1997 VA 25th Anniversary Celebration), he was introducing me to people (Rod Peterson and Claire Whitaker, among others) at the reunion banquet in Burbank, CA, as the man "who watched the Waltons in Ecuador," where my family and I serve as missionaries since 2001. I was so touched that he wanted other people to meet me; that was so like him. When Earl and Jane were leaving, I ran out the door and said good-bye to them in the parking lot. That was the last time I saw Earl before he passed away. He is missed by all of us.