Norman at age 24
Norman graduated high school in 1929. He would have loved to go to
college and study journalism, but the family was unable to afford it.
Instead Norman completed a correspodance
course in bookkeeping from LaSalle Extension University in Chicago, Illinois.
In the meantime, Norman dabbled in writing. He sold his first story,
"Youth Shall be Served," for $5.00 in 1933. The story was published by
Limelight magazine in 1934. Norman had two additional stories published
that year.
Norman's father Alfred unexpectedly died after
a short illness in 1935. Norman assisted his mother with getting the estate settled
and planning to care for her family. Florence eventually bought a
house
on 8th avenue North and 10th street in Great Falls.
Norman married Patsy Caufield , who he had been dating
for some time, in 1936. Norman worked as a bookkeeper and office manager for
Pat's Body Works, an automobile repair company in Great Falls. In time, Norman's
brother Elmer joined the company to work as mechanic and repairman.
As Norman and Patsy went about married life and
with a full time job, Norman's writing was put on hold. He was still interested
in being a writer, but did not have the time to pursue it. He had no work published
between 1934 and 1937.
