Richard changed my life

[[e-mail]]

A true story - 3 years ago I lost the one woman that I considered my soulmate.  Upon our parting she gave me a copy of "The Bridge Across Forever" and told me to read it and attempt to understand our situation.  After three years of dating other people (both of us), I picked up the book again.  I wrote her a letter having lost her phone number - we met for a drink and are now re-engaged as soulmates who never died in each others' hearts.  Reading Richard's writing is like reading what we wanted to say to each other but could'nt find the words to express.  Never in my life have we connected with a complete stranger like we have with Richard.  Everything I have ever thought of saying to my soulmate - or to myself - Richard found the sense to write.  I never thought we would have the chance to try again and here we are.  We would like to personally thank Richard but don't know how to contact him.  Does anyone know how to get a letter or email to Richard?  Any help would be appreciated.  Thanks for the opportunity to voice my story - it is good to know that Richard has touched so many others like he did us.

Sincerely - Brian Kincaid - Portland, OR

[LL]

Brian, I cant remember the details but someone posted a while back about writing to RB's publisher and having them foward your letter. It worked for them as I recall.
Hope this helps       LL

[[e-mail]]

Thanks for the info LL - I will give this a shot and hopefully he will get it and reply.

Sincerely - BK

[LL]

As I recall, he did respond to this particular person.

[Bishop]

You must be thinking of Tanya (havent seen her around for a while), as I recall, she sendt RB a letter and got one back too.. Good luck, Brian.

[[e-mail]]

I was led to Mr Bach by my soulmate. What a wonderful gift he gave me. I lost my soul mate 3 years ago in November. His life and comitments took him places I could not go.Thanks to the writings of Mr Bach I was better able to deal with my loss and retain hope of a reunion. Richards divorce in many ways confirms that nothing is forever. That change is happning all around us, and its a part of how it has to be.
I am sure that I will see my soulmate again!
Brian Kinkaid, I want to thank you for your letter. It has renewed my hope.

To my soulmate doug_fly.
I love you forever Joy

[[e-mail]]

Brian.

I forwarded your letter to Richard.

Cheers,

GN

[[e-mail]]

An open letter, nice site!
To: R.B.
Hello...Was surfing the net tonight, a break from writing paragraphs in my mind, if lucky, to be transferred to paper. I was reminded of a quote from Illusions and sought a source to remind me of more. Searched and found a web site that included an address to you via your publisher. Thought a note to you might be an interesting journey for both of us.

It has been quite a few years since I e-mailed you, way back when that was possible, as a naive wannabe writer, asking advice on how to be a writer. Odd, a partial memory is all that remains of your response..."if you write what the reader wants to read..." , something along that train of thought. My memory from then is no longer as clear as my memory now. Too many roads, too many falls from the train, journeys taken without a map in a 20 year self-induced alcoholic coma.  I have a map that allows me to remember now. A new adventure nearly six months old, in self-discovery, after 20 years of searching for the meaning of life and now coming to terms with someone I denied access or closeness to...myself.(never did find that elusive meaning of life, but did discover it helps to be alive if that is what one wants to waste time searching for!)

The subject of writing has now returned, I actually am putting words together that follow each other in a readable format. Maybe, and that is probably, someday soon there will be something that a reader might find interesting enough that I wrote to lead them to read it. A time will come, I have no doubt...no longer vested in wasted time and energy to find what I knew all along: The meaning of life is living! Damn simple shyt, was way too simple for the complicated world I had created. Simplification offers me alot of answers lately.

What I have discovered, is that to be a writer is quite simple...Write! Pretty basic stuff, not NASA related science to discover the universes that exist in one's mind. The key is to tell it in a manner that the reader will want to read. (getting closer to remembering your actual words) ...Yet the true reality to transplanting thought into a product that entertains and shares to others in this format involves the physical act of placing words on paper that align themselves in a way that puts thought to a reader coherently. Knowing now my past ventures were futile from the start as I was functioning incoherently in my life! How dare I expect to share a tragedy, a comedy, a simple monologue without first taking my own incoherence to a conclusion! ...glad I survived.<smile>

Today I have found 1200 words on a semi-daily basis can come easily if the doors are open. Not too bad for an infant, with 47 years on this planet. Strange how a book can take shape, become a separate life of its own, and when it has something to say, if allowed, its words will flow freely to the page. Other times, that darn door gets locked and inside a memory I search for the keys.

So here for a few moments I take this break, taking time out from a space I was in, to relax within another, to thank you for taking the time long ago to answer an e-mail from a naive wannabe writer. Today, I am a writer. Today, I realize that to be a writer, a composer of words, that creates sentences, that become paragraphs, that are capable of becoming books, what is required is consistent and daily practice placing words on paper, or watching them appear here in the monitor. Somehow, and this is the part I do not yet understand, allowing them to flow naturally is easier than trying to call for them to come, as one would the family dog, when I desire their presence. Words come alive with the only assistance from me to set them in place here, when I stop rehearsing for them. It also helps if they offer the reader an entertaining place to visit...

If I am less the director, words do come easily. When I attempt to control the wind they sail in, it is taken away from me and I stare at a blank page/monitor left to ponder. I am wise enough now to know the wind is a fickle thing! (learning here...)

Richard, thank you once again for your words that are now books. I see you have travelled some roads over the years too. (the web page mentioned a few changes) Yes, we do graduate from endings, only to be allowed the once in a lifetime opportunity proposed to all of us each day new. If all we had were endings I would have resigned long ago, having walked inside an ending for so many years, yet refusing to close that book. Today a new book begins each day...a second chance, from darkness there is light.

Here is to your once in a lifetime opportunity to all your beginnings, a quiet toast to you and yours with Earl Grey tea, on a Friday night...may each day find you an open universe yet to be discovered, with the night finding you always a safe place to land.

Take care,

"Each day is a "once in a lifetime opportunity"...as long as we are alive...after that, it gets interesting."
M.E.Krewson

[LL]

M.E.Krewson,
That was some joyful reading there. If you do nothing else but write ten more words on this screen and allow at least me to know...the title of your up and coming "something that a reader might find interesting". Your words are fluent and very readable, thank you for putting some of them here.
LL

[ray]

Dear LL,
  I was inspired to read the long letter of Krewson, coz you've written a reply to krewson, I got to know a new person who became a writer, inspired in turn by bach, I guess I am gunna be a writer soon, and the inspiration is you.
*thanks*
Wannabe your friend.
Ray
I will love it if this site becomes more interesting, do share a few thoughts to make it better.

[LL]

All I'll say to this is do what you love...lifes alot more fun that way ;D :)LL

[stepper]

My mom bought Illusions for me when it came out and Richard Bach was signing at the time. I let someone borrow that copy and it never returned. I've since bought a dozen paperback copies and loaned them out; none returned. I now have most of his works and reread them regularly to remind myself to search within and that helps me cope. My wife of 25 years has cancer. I was catholic as a child, she a jew. When times are tuff and I wonder about the future and if I have the strength, I turn to Illusions and then within and I regain the strength. If by chance I were to meet R.B., I would thank him for the words he took the time to express, and then step aside to let him enjoy the day or not.

[flyer]

in the spring of 1983 I read "nothing for chance" in the spring of 1984 I Buy my first ultralight aircraft. At the present I maded 1400 flight hours following his path leaved in the sky. Richard is my Flight Instructor but he don't know it.
Renato

[jonathanfan]

M. E. Krewson~
I just read what you posted in April 2004. It was amazing and I too would be interested in reading any books you have written or shall write.
I love your perspective and by jove, you've got it!

Quite simply - Thank you very much
And thank RB for his inspriration to you

[Brian]

I knew Richard Bach for many years as I lived and worked in Renton, Washington. He owned an amphibious aircraft called a Lake Amphibian which is the aircraft he is flying in his book entitled ONE. I actually contributed the photo on the back cover to him for the book. He was one of my At one time I had his address and telephone number but I am not sure if it is still current. I expect not. I will try to get in touch with him and ask if he has seen your note on the message board. I actually have an original manuscript for his book ONE as he forwarded it to my Dad and I to read and give our thoughts on. Meeting Richard and helping him with his Lake Buccaneer was truly a highlight if my life.