Ask the Author: David Crow

“I really enjoy talking with readers. Please post if you have questions about The Pale-Faced Lie.” David Crow

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David Crow Tiffany, thank you for your lovely note. I told my dad that I was going to write the book and told him what was in it. He was furious but said, go ahead, since I am an atheist it doesn’t matter. It did matter but he knew I would do it. I felt it was important to tell him about the book and that it would be written to let people know they can overcome just about anything if they work at it and learn to forgive. He just laughed. Nothing changed him even at the end.
David Crow I am afraid so, and more that I didn't write about. You had to see Gallup, New Mexico, in the ’60s to believe it. We were rarely caught and kept on doing it until we moved.
David Crow Kathie, there really aren't any embellishments. I cut some things that were worse. The violent nature of my dad, the mental illness of my mom, and the vicious cruelty of my stepmother dominated every moment. Throw in the craziness of living on an Indian reservation in the ’50s and ’60s and how liberal school was in the East and my wild pranks, which were tacitly approved, and you have a volatile mix. Thank you for the question.
David
David Crow Jeff, Thank you so much for this. Would you mind posting a brief review on Goodreads and Amazon. I went through lots of doubt and trepidation while writing the book. Notes like yours validate it. I really appreciate it. David
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David Crow My mother is still alive at 89 years. My father passed in 2013. She was married for 51 years to a man who adored her. She adopted a son, who is a wonderful man who takes care of her. Yet she remains sad. I talk to her a few times every week and our entire conversation is about what went wrong. When I mention her late husband and son, she is silent and even pouts. I love my mother and wish she could smile, laugh, and focus on all the things in front of her that are good. But she cannot. I wish it were different.
David Crow Jennifer, thank you for asking. First I had to unlearn many terrible habits my father drummed into me. For instance, revenge isn't justice. Sometimes, you need to walk away from a hot head, meaning you aren't one yourself. I also observed my angels listed in the book and found that every one of them possessed empathy, kindness, sympathy and interest in other people. Slowly I learned to emulate the people I admired, but it was a long, slow process fraught with many mistakes. Over time, I learned to treat people the way I wanted to be treated. And my Navajo friends were the best examples of people who would be justified carrying a big grudge, but they never did. Very powerful example.

May I ask a brief favor from you? Would you mind posting a brief review on Goodreads and Amazon please? Thank you. I really appreciate your question. As for writing well, read everything and have an incredible editor as I did with Sandra Jonas. Best to you.

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