Novalyne Price Ellis (March 9, 1908 – March 30, 1999) was an American high school teacher and writer. She is best known as the author of '' One Who Walked Alone'', her memoir about her relationship with

pulp fiction ''Pulp Fiction'' is a 1994 American independent crime film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino from a story he conceived with Roger Avary.See, e.g., King (2002), pp. 185–7; ; It tells four intertwining tales of crime and violence ...

writer

Robert E. Howard Robert Ervin Howard (January 22, 1906 – June 11, 1936) was an American writer who wrote pulp magazine, pulp fiction in a diverse range of genres. He created the character Conan the Barbarian and is regarded as the father of the sword and sor ...

, which was adapted into the film ''

The Whole Wide World ''The Whole Wide World'' is a 1996 American independent biographical film produced and directed by Dan Ireland in his directorial debut. It depicts the relationship between pulp fiction writer Robert E. Howard (Vincent D'Onofrio) and schoolteac ...

'' (1996).

Early life and education

Price was for the most part raised on a farm in Brownwood, Texas. With aspirations of becoming a writer, Price became a school teacher to pay for her education at

Daniel Baker College Daniel Baker College was founded April 5, 1889 in Brownwood, Texas, United States. It was named in memory of the Rev. Dr. Daniel Baker, a Presbyterian circuit-riding minister, who helped organize the first presbytery in Texas in 1840 and Austin ...

and later

Louisiana State University Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, commonly referred to as Louisiana State University (LSU), is an American Public university, public Land-grant university, land-grant research university in Baton Rouge, Louis ...

Career

Price taught English,

public speaking Public speaking, is the practice of delivering speeches to a live audience. Throughout history, public speaking has held significant cultural, religious, and political importance, emphasizing the necessity of effective rhetorical skills. It all ...

and history between 1934 and 1936 at Cross Plains High School.

Relationship with Robert E. Howard

Cross Plains was also home to writer

, who lived with his mother. After she began teaching, Price persisted in trying to meet him to get advice on becoming a writer, and finally went to his home uninvited. Common interests and personal chemistry created a strong bond of friendship between them. Despite personality differences, misunderstandings, and unsuccessful attempts to bring their relationship beyond casual dating, Price and Howard remained close until Howard's suicide in 1936.

Later career

After Howard's death, Price shifted her focus to teaching. She taught at Cathedral and Lafayette High Schools. Price's love of teaching and gift at speechwriting was recognized in 1981 with her admittance into the National Forensic Hall of Fame.

''One Who Walked Alone''

Throughout her life, Price published a number of articles and short stories, but it is her 1986 memoir, '' One Who Walked Alone'', about her relationship with Robert E. Howard for which she is best known. The 1996 movie ''

'', is a direct adaptation of ''One Who Walked Alone'', with Price played by actress

Renée Zellweger Renée Kathleen Zellweger ( ; born April 25, 1969) is an American actress. The recipient of List of awards and nominations received by Renée Zellweger, various accolades, including two Academy Awards, two British Academy Film Awards, and four ...

and Howard played by

Vincent D'Onofrio Vincent Philip D'Onofrio (; born June 30, 1959) is an American actor and filmmaker. He is known for his supporting and leading roles in both film and television. He has been nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award. His roles include Private Leona ...

. The co-producers of the film, Benjamin Mouton and Michael Scott Myers, were both former students of Price, with Mouton playing her boyfriend Clyde.

Personal life and death

On October 2, 1942 Price married John Douglas Robarts. Robarts was a Second Lieutenant serving in the US Army Infantry. They adopted a child, Marvin Douglas. Price and Robarts were divorced in May 1946. While working as a teacher at Daniel Baker College, Price met and, in 1947, married William Ellis. Price and Ellis resided in

Louisiana Louisiana ( ; ; ) is a state in the Deep South and South Central regions of the United States. It borders Texas to the west, Arkansas to the north, and Mississippi to the east. Of the 50 U.S. states, it ranks 31st in area and 25 ...

and had one son, Marvin Douglas Ellis, born in 1949. Her marriage to Ellis lasted forty-seven years, until Ellis' death in 1994. Price continued living alone in Lafayette, Louisiana until her death at age 91 on March 30, 1999.

Works

*''A Handbook for Student Teachers of Speech'' (1957), Lafayette Senior High School, Lafayette, La *'' One Who Walked Alone: Robert E. Howard, The Final Years'' (1986) *''Day of the Stranger: Further Memories of Robert E. Howard'' (1989)

References

External links

Profile
deepcuts.blog. August 6, 2020. Accessed March 26, 2024. {{DEFAULTSORT:Ellis, Novalyne Price Robert E. Howard 1908 births 1999 deaths People from Abilene, Texas Schoolteachers from Texas 20th-century American educators 20th-century American women educators 20th-century American memoirists American women memoirists 20th-century American women writers Daniel Baker College alumni Louisiana State University alumni