Shannon Burke
After Safelight and Black Flies I was rooting around, looking for a new subject, when I stumbled across some trapper’s journals and fell in love with the reckless, carefree world they depicted. I grew up reading adventure novels like Kidnapped and Treasure Island and Robinson Crusoe and White Fang. I love books like that and I had always wanted to try my hand at something along those lines, but I didn’t know that much about trapping or that time period. So, I read a little more. I went out west, driving up the Missouri, staying at places where the trappers stayed, camping out, hiking up the drainages they trapped in, getting a feel for it. I did that a few times. I kept reading. And one day, after a year or so, I started to write without much of a plan, which is unusual for me. It took years to shape the book into the present novel, but that was the inception.
More Answered Questions
Bror
asked
Shannon Burke:
Not really a question. Just want to say, Thank You. I just finished reading "Into the Savage Country" for Amazon Vine, and while doing a little background study on you for the review, found this site. I started to read your book and couldn't put it down. Was even late for work yesterday by three hours. Can't wait to read the next one. What are you working on now?
Justin
asked
Shannon Burke:
I am halfway through your Western and am finding your writing to be far better than reviewed. In selecting your book, I followed my own all-too-bad advice: Choose a great cover. I teach Creative Writing to high school juniors and seniors. What advice do you have for them on building a more open and expansive setting while still maintaining a genuine and believable time and place? Thank you. -Justin
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