SOURCE: "In Pursuit of Crazy Language" in American Film, Vol. XIV, No. 6, April, 1989, pp. 42-44 and 63-64.

In the following interview, McGuane discusses his experiences as a Hollywood screenwriter and the details of his work on films, including The Missouri Breaks, Tom Horn, Rancho Deluxe, 92 In the Shade, and Cold Feet.

Thomas McGuane is accustomed to rough weather. He's lived and ranched for the better part of 20 years on the wide, open rangeland of southwest Montana, and nothing much surprises him. But what's going on outside his window today is, to lift a line from one of his books, "worse than real different," A fierce winter Chinook is blowing gusts up to 100 mph, forming impenetrable snowdrifts in a matter of minutes.

In his book-lined study is a desk occupied by a lap-top computer and the manuscript of his latest novel, Keep the Change. The window overlooks his ranch...