Drifting between lockdown and the American West

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The great joy of being a historical fiction author is that we can relocate to any location in the world, we can go back in time and we can even change sex. For the last 2 years, I've spent most of my time in Wyoming from the years 1865 to 1937 (I've been very busy and sometimes confused!) 

I've thought about this novel for years and I've wondered why so many writers and movie makers return to the days of cowboys and Indians to tell a story? I believe (for what it’s worth) it was a time of optimism and adventure, the American West is still mythical, enigmatic, problematic, a place to begin again, an unexplored continent where the streams threw up gold and land was given to anyone who was willing to work. It was a time when anything was possible.

In 1990, I visited Baker, Arizona. After 120 years, the tracks from the wagon trains were still visible. For years I thought about those tracks, I imagined the American families and the many Europeans who travelled west for a better life. Although, there was little to see in Baker, apart from the tracks, I returned twice and stood in the same barren land considering those who paved the way. When I heard about the Irish Catholic colonies that were established during the pioneering era, my imagination spiraled. After many years of dwelling on that raw epoch I was compelled to return to 1865 and accompany The O’Neill’s on their quest for land ownership, self-governance and prosperity, all of which they achieved but it came with a price.

My new novel is out today. If you get it, I really hope you enjoy it.

Olive

Amazon.com - https://amzn.to/3o5SFyr

Amazon.co.uk - https://amzn.to/3oapNFb