Ask the Author: James D. Crownover
Answered Questions (12)
James D. Crownover
I must have a hundred books waiting on the shelf for me to read. Mostly, I read nonfiction like Will Bagley's With Golden Visions Bright Before Them. This is his second book in his Overland West Series. I think Will is the best living historian. The second book on my "summer list" (A list subject to change at any moment) Is Avnon Ben-Tor's archeological report, Back to Masada. Bitter Waters by Patrick Dearen has been creeping toward the top of my list. Patrick could easily bear the title Chronicler of the Pecos Country. I have finally gotten a copy of Odie Faulk's Destiny Road. Then there's Frederick Remington's Selected Writings, George Bird Grinnell's Blackfoot Lodge Tales, Black, Buckskin, and Blue by Art Burton--who has written an excellent biography of Bass Reeves, Black Gun, Silver Star. The First Frontier is about the frontier east of the Mississippi by R.V. Coleman. Evan McHugh has written Outback Heroes about Australia's frontier men and women. Spike Van Cleve talks about his ranching experiences in 40 Years' Gatherin's. If I'm not writing, I like a little fiction by such as Clarence Mulford, Michael
Zimmer, Robert B. Parker, Win Blevins, Max Brand.
These are at the top of my list of dozens . . . it could just be that I will see the snow fly before I'm done.
Zimmer, Robert B. Parker, Win Blevins, Max Brand.
These are at the top of my list of dozens . . . it could just be that I will see the snow fly before I'm done.
James D. Crownover
We are related. Aunt Mattie and my grandfather, Dan Crownover, were siblings. Hello, Cuz!
Jim C.
Jim C.
James D. Crownover
Hey, Jean;
I will reply to you via email. There is too much to say to cover on Goodreads.
Jim C.
I will reply to you via email. There is too much to say to cover on Goodreads.
Jim C.
James D. Crownover
At the present, my favorite fictional couple would have to be Adam and Eve Bain, twins born in Texas in the 1850's. They are the principal characters in a book I am writing about the children captured by the Indians. Their story requires all my writing attention and by writing it, I hope to tell the experiences of the captive children to a generation or two or three that have no knowledge of them and the things they went through. Jim C.
James D. Crownover
I am a Civil Engineer who was a structural engineer for an Electric Cooperative. After I retired, I wrote a story that has been broken up into four books. Book two, The Battle of Half Moon Mountain, is now available, with book three, Picketwire Vaquero, to be released Sept 21, 2016.
I have always been interested in the early history of the southwest and that grew into an interest in the settlement of all the west.
As for writing style, I have been greatly influenced by the styles of J. Frank Doby, Ben K. Green, C.L. Sonnichsen, (Clarence Mulford for good fiction) and Eugene Manlove Rhodes. It is doubtful anyone could ever again rise to Gene Rhodes' ability to tell a story. By the way, I believe Gene wrote very little fiction in his stories.
As to content, I determined to write about subjects within the western genre that others have not written about. Very few of the pioneers went blasting through life with smoking guns. I want to represent the western man in as honest and realistic manner as possible. I have written my stories within the context of the historical events and people of the time. In addition to being interesting, a story should be informative and, most of all, move.
Thank you for the questions and I hope this answers them somewhat adequately!
Regards, Jim C.
I have always been interested in the early history of the southwest and that grew into an interest in the settlement of all the west.
As for writing style, I have been greatly influenced by the styles of J. Frank Doby, Ben K. Green, C.L. Sonnichsen, (Clarence Mulford for good fiction) and Eugene Manlove Rhodes. It is doubtful anyone could ever again rise to Gene Rhodes' ability to tell a story. By the way, I believe Gene wrote very little fiction in his stories.
As to content, I determined to write about subjects within the western genre that others have not written about. Very few of the pioneers went blasting through life with smoking guns. I want to represent the western man in as honest and realistic manner as possible. I have written my stories within the context of the historical events and people of the time. In addition to being interesting, a story should be informative and, most of all, move.
Thank you for the questions and I hope this answers them somewhat adequately!
Regards, Jim C.
James D. Crownover
Hi, Carolyn, I have been away for a few days at the Western Writers of America convention where Wild won two spur awards. The second book, The Battle of Half Moon Mountain, will be released in November, 2015. The third book, Picketwire Vaquero, will be released some time in 2016. A date for it hasn't been set. Book four, Tales of the Last Frontier, as told by Zenas should follow soon after, but I am not sure if it will be 2016 or early 2017. Triple Play is not related to the series and it will be released in March, 2016.
I am glad you like Wild Ran the Rivers and hope you enjoy the second book as well.
Regards, Jim C.
I am glad you like Wild Ran the Rivers and hope you enjoy the second book as well.
Regards, Jim C.
James D. Crownover
I haven't had one of those critters yet. The small blocks take care of themselves when I go back and read what I have previously written and remember where I am going with that thought.
James D. Crownover
For me, it is knowing that someone (in this case, the editors of Five Star Publishing) thinks my stories are worthy to be published and read.
James D. Crownover
Write--about something you are very interested in and be sure you know all that can be known about the subject. I am talking in respect to historical novels
James D. Crownover
The story I am writing now, If These Walls Could Talk, is about two cowboys who solve a fifty year old murder by a very unusual method.
James D. Crownover
I like history and I like to talk about it with others. I had always wanted to see if I could write something others would enjoy reading and one day Penny, the one my first book is dedicated to, said, "One day, Jim Crownover you are going to write a book!" And I did!
James D. Crownover
I actually started writing this book in the middle then realized that I had not given any background for my principal character, Zenas. He could not have appeared out of nothing, so I began with his great grandparents and told their story.
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