Featured Interview With B. S. Daniels Novelist
Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
Howdy Partners!
I am not used to or enjoy talking about myself, so the simplest way I can explain myself is like this.
I was raised in the Canyon area of Colorado Springs. Readers might be more familiar with the term Cheyenne Mountain area, where NORAD is housed. Still, we lived close to where the “Broadmoor Resort” is located, and at the split of the two roads leading to the “Seven Falls” attraction which most people refer to as “The Cheyenne Canyon.”
My college years and the sowing of wild oats took place in Gunnison, Colorado, where I had about as much fun as any young man could have riding rodeo bulls, causing mischief with my buddies, and finally meeting my wife, Nancy. After being whipped off the bulls enough times and meeting Nancy, I knew for sure it was time to leave my ornery years behind.
I guided hunting trips into the mountains for friends to experience our vast wilderness and understand why I loved working in God’s country versus the boredom of a desk job. I found owning a tow truck business rewarding at times, helping many stranded people who wanted to enjoy our area but had no clue about how to prepare for winter storms on their visits. It was fraught with danger from time to time when vehicle repossessions were called for.
Deciding I wished for a better home base, we moved to New Castle, Colorado where I later found an interest in the tree and wood industry that I developed into more than one business. I had always cut firewood for our home but found it a lucrative business, which I created and expanded into a vending machine that sold boxed firewood. Later, I turned my hand and knowledge into trimming trees, then expanded into more branches of the wood business by investing in a mill.
My four children kept me busy during that time as well. We enjoyed watching them grow and shook our heads at their antics, recalling our youth as they did so. After they left home, Nancy and I were left with an empty nest, and we decided to strike out again. We moved to a small town in Meeker, Colorado, where we built a tiny home for ourselves and became a part of that community until the wanderlust hit us again, and we were off for a real adventure.
We now live in an exciting new chapter in Fort Laramie, WY, where I enjoy my lifelong dream of writing. I’ve had many four-legged companions, starting with Tinker, the fox terrier, D. O. G. (yes, that was his name}, plus another pup named Dog, then Caller, Buck, Rusty, Coffee, and now Kinder, all cattle dogs. They were my constant companions, always by my side when I cut firewood in the Cochetopa Creek Canyon in Gunnison, working on the ranch, hunting, fishing, or driving into town.
A cowboy can’t be without his dog on the range!
At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I started writing for friends in college. I would help them out with love letters to their girlfriends. We had a great time doing that. Now, remember, I did mention earlier about my ornery days.
The problem with writing a book is that one needs to know how to spell. It’s hard to write if you can’t manage the spelling. Sometimes even the computer had a rough time figuring out what I had written on the page. I often had to chuckle at myself.
Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I like Louis L’Amour’s style. I always enjoyed his writing. He wrote a simple story that was easy to read yet full of exciting events in the cowboys of the West.
Westerns were, and always have been, my favorite genre and will always be my way of living life. Simple, honorable, and full of respect for others.
Tell us a little about your latest book?
My book, TRAIL OF FATE, originally began as a one-hundred-page book.
Then, it began to grow as the characters developed. It is a novel suitable for all ages, featuring humor, challenging times, good times, and good old Western shootouts.
The book took about a month to write, but several months to be edited. With every edit, more detail was added and it continued to grow. Steven Spielberg stated, “Don’t develop the characters. let the characters develop themselves.”
I look forward to writing many more novels in the “Arduous Quest Series” to see where my characters will take me. I try to keep my writing simple. and I hope I paint a picture that intrigues the reader. ~B. S. Daniels (or Scott, as most people call me)
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B. S. Daniels Novelist’s Website
A great author interview! I cannot wait to read his book.