Fantasy
These stories were not written as a group, but rather at different times over the years. One of stories was written years ago when I was reading fairy tales to my own boys.
I began this book shortly after I moved to Colorado. Naturally, the Rocky Mountains--and skiing--became a part of my life. Not that I skied, but my step-son, Robert did. (The book is dedicated to him.) Anyway, I began to think of a fantasy that would make use of this landscape, and American folk lore--rather than European. Perloo the Bold was the result.
The Book Without Words is a volume of blank parchment pages. Or so it might seem. But for a green-eyed reader filled with great desire, it may reveal the dark magic of Northumbria, including the forgotten arts of making gold and achieving immortality. For generations its magic has been protected from those who would exploit it.
Of all the books I have ever written no book took as long to write as BRIGHT SHADOW. Fourteen years. No matter how many times I rewrote it, I couldn't get it right. As for the original idea, I think it came from my reading of fairy tales to my boys. In the stories, getting wishes always seemed to be a good thing. Was that truly so? I asked myself. This book is the answer to that question.
Stories come about in different way. THE CHRISTMAS RAT began as a short story that would not stay short. Besides, I love Christmas, and have a particular fondness for Christmas stories. But this is a bit different. It combines a real Christmas story with something rather scary, a mix of the terrifying and satisfying to suggest a Christmas Eve tale unlike you have ever read before.
When I was a boy I loved comic books. I read them by the ton. (I had to read the scary ones outside on the front steps. My mother would not let them in the house. When I had fantasy story that was giving me problems, I remembered comic books and began to think I could tell my tale best that way. It's something I learn over and over again, every tale has its own way of telling.
