In memory,
He was third in the three influences that I'd had when I first writing crime/mysteries. His was the one that taught me hardboiled could be unabashedly strong and fierce, while at the same time, showing a world not too far off from the real.
His men were hard, soft, and down right bastards, but all were recognizably.........
human.
His women, though against his own personal beliefs ( I've spoken to the man on a few occasions and he wasn't the most liberal thinker towards women, but he was a man of his era), his women were dangerous, sultry, vendictive, down-right evil!
but,
some were feminine, intelligent, strong, and able to sling hot lead with his iconic creation, Mike Hammer. They stood on equal with Hammer, and Hammer would have it no other way.
The first time I spoke to Micky I was kinda nervous. Because by that time I was in deep as a crime writer and Mickey became an influence. I don't know how long I waited until I used the number a friend gave me.
It was a short conversation, as I found out later from my friend most conversations with Mickey were short in nature, but he was gracious, honest, and direct.
We spoke about his writing and the nature of the business and how much it changed.
I was pumped after that conversation, and thanked him for his time.
He'll always be more than a memory, more than an influence, I like to think of him........
........as a friend.
March 19, 1918 to July 17, 2006
Shoot a .45 into the sky, take a hit off a bottle of scotch, and remember him with glory....................