Welcome to The Write Question, a program that explores the world of writing and publishing in the Western United States. Our guest today is Craig Lancaster.

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Craig Lancaster wrote his first novel, 600 HOURS OF EDWARD, during National Novel Writing Month, an annual event in which writers are challenged to put down at least 50,000 words in 30 days. Lancaster had entered the contest before, but had never made it through, so he said "No" when a friend suggested he try again. Then, he changed his mind and wrote 80,000 words in 24 days.

The story centers on a middle-aged man, Edward Stanton, who has Asperger syndrome and obsessive-compulsive disorder and has settled into a life largely devoid of human contact. In 25 days one autumn -- 600 hours -- the world he has kept at bay crashes onto his front step and forces him to deal with the fallout.

600 HOURS OF EDWARD was recently named as a Montana Book Award Honor Book.

Craig Lancaster works at the Billings Gazette in Billings, Montana, where he lives with his wife, Angela, and two dachshunds.

Read a review of 600 HOURS OF EDWARD by Heidi M. Thomas.

The Write Question is produced by Chérie Newman.

Read an interview with TWQ producer Chérie Newman on the Humanities Montana Web site.

Executive producer, Michael Marsolek.

Special thanks to Lisa Simon, David Moore, Barbara Theroux, and Kim Anderson.

This program is supported in part by Humanities Montana, enriching intellectual, cultural, and civic life for all Montanans. And by the Montana Cultural Trust.

This program included music by Springhill, Aaron Minnick, Michael Marsolek, and Lawrence Duncan.

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Guests on the The Write Question are writers, publishers, and illustrators living, or working for an extended period of time, in the western United States. The Write Question is a production of Montana Public Radio.