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An Interview With Mark Warren
May 2, 2024

An Interview With Mark Warren

  • Could you share a bit about your journey as a writer and how you came to work with Wolfpack?
    • I began crafting short books when I was 8 years old. I wrote the text and illustrated the story sparingly, as was the common form for novels in my day. I bound the papers with yarn to present an official appearance for a published book. All I lacked was a readership.
    • Sixty-three years later, I approached Wolfpack because of my interest in the history of Old West. Many publishers will not consider a Western, probably assuming that such a work cannot be considered literary. I consider my Western books literary.
  • What draws you to the themes of the Old West, and how do you find the unique stories you decide to tell?
    • I have always been interested in courage, and the raw West offered many opportunities to draw on that quality. Being a baby boomer, I grew up with Westerns on TV and found many role models from whom to learn. As I got older, I sought out the truth versus the myth and found the former to be much more interesting. The characters I like to write about find me during my research. They have to be characters that I care about; otherwise, I won’t have the impetus to spend time with them on the printed page.
  • Your books delve deeply into historical events and figures. Can you talk about your research process and how you ensure the authenticity of your narratives?
    • I have been fortunate to make friends with some of the best researchers in the world. Thanks to their work, I gain the ammunition I need to cover the historical facts for my books. When a writer invests him- or herself into a subject by reading everything available, one begins to filter out the unreliable sources. They generally betray themselves by their fierce egos.
  • Writing historical fiction comes with its own set of challenges. What have been some of the most difficult aspects of bringing these stories to life, and what have been the most rewarding?
    • I MUST be able to crawl inside my protagonist’s head to understand how he or she thinks.
  • What are some of your favorite quotes from your books?
    • I don’t have favorite quotes, nor do I have favorite books. Whichever book I am currently working on is the book in which I am completely invested. The same can be said for lines in the books. But I know you need an answer of some kind, so for what it’s worth:
    • Westering Trail Travesties – "'This outlawin’ ain’t all it’s cracked up to be . . . is it, boys?' Just twelve words. But it was enough to change our lives in ways that no one could have foreseen."
    • Last Serenade for Billy Bonney – "Even though I do not customarily consume alcohol, I throw back the whiskey with a single jerk of my head. I’ve learned that much about New Mexican hospitality."
    • Nate - "Taking a light grip on the stretched rope, Nate approached the mare slowly, his hand sliding along the rough hemp, his legs moving with the patient precision of a man feeling his way through a dark room. The chestnut whinnied and shuffled her hooves, kicking up a cloud of dust. The whites of her eyes shone like bright quarter moons above her amber irises."
  • The Westering Trail Travesties is recognized for its humor. How do you balance historical accuracy with humor, and why do you think it's important to explore the lighter side of history?
    • These stories are not historical fiction. They are parodies. I believe any popular subject is open to parody, and those readers who are steeped in the Western genre will enjoy seeing their topic lampooned.
  • With so many tales from the Old West, how did you choose the five featured in this book?
    • These stories were not chosen. They were invented. They are simply a result of creativity. The venues are real, however. As are the accoutrements of Western life portrayed in the stories.
  • Billy the Kid is a legendary figure with many myths surrounding him. How did you approach adding depth to such a well-known character?
    • By emphasizing Billy’s sense of humor, loyalty, and courage.
  • There are many interpretations of Billy the Kid's life. What perspective did you aim to bring to your novel, and how does it differ from other narratives?
    • My book offers not only the true events of Billy’s life but also it gives the reader an interpretation of Billy through the eyes of a sensitive write and composer. This cultured man finds himself questioning his own values by comparing himself to Billy and coming short in the balance.
  • What inspired you to split Nate Champion's story into two books, and how do you see the relationship between the Texas and Wyoming stories?
    • Nate Champion has always had his story told by looking at the end of his life. I wanted to show the development of his character as a youth in Texas. By understanding his beginnings, we better understand his famous last stand. Each period of his life is filled with salient events that help us to analyse the making of a remarkable man.
  • Nate Champion is a significant but perhaps less-known figure from the Old West. What drew you to his story, and what do you hope readers will take away from his character?
    • Courage. It’s the story of the common man standing up to the ruthless nobility. Somewhat like a Robin Hood, a Spartacus, a Ned Kelly. Nate’s name should rank up there with the most celebrated of Western characters. It is my fervent hope that these books will help to earn that place for him in history.
  • Do you have any particular rituals or practices that help you write, especially when dealing with historical material?
    • My writing cup constantly runneth over. I am very fortunate in that way. I love to get up early (around 5:30 a.m.) and write before the dawn arrives. But I have no set schedule. When a block of time presents itself, I can fill it with writing. Doctors’ waiting rooms, for example.
  • What advice would you give to writers interested in tackling Western fiction or non-fiction?
    • Find someone you really care about. Read everything you can find about that person. Get to know what makes the protagonist “tick.” Then, learn about the times and the region. No person is isolated from that. Without a knowledge of that particular time and region, a writer cannot honestly portray someone who lived that time and place.
  • What books are on your to-be-read pile right now?
    • Gifts of the Crow by Marzluff and Angell
    • War on Powder River by Helena Huntington Smith
  • What music inspires your writing? What would be the theme songs for your books?
    • Music by Jimmy Webb, Aaron Copland, Thomas Newman
    • Westering Trail Travesties – section of Appalachian Spring (Copland)
    • Last Serenade for Billy Bonney – the song I wrote for Billy which is at the back of my book (Warren)
    • Nate – sections of the score for Road to Perdition (Newman)
  • How do you hope your books will engage with readers, and what kind of conversations do you look forward to having?
    • I love talking literature, and I find it most gratifying when my work is the subject matter. I like to hear how my writing affects people. During my life, I have been profoundly affected by certain books, and I have sought out the authors for correspondence. Now, as an author myself, to be on the other end of that equation is something I treasure.
  • In what ways do you enjoy interacting with your readers, and how can they follow you for updates?
    • I do this in person, by mail, by email, by telephone by Facebook, and by Goodreads. Enough said.
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