Interviews W/ Published Western Authors
Alfred Wallon
A Rope and Wire
Interview
Born and raised in Germany, Alfred wrote his first Western novel in 1980 and has been writing and publishing regularly ever since. He writes in many genres but his favorite has always been the historical western. He has been an active member of the Western Writers of America since 2006.
First of all, I'd like to thank you for agreeing to this interview and taking time from your busy schedule to help our readers get to know you.
I'd like to start out by asking you to give us a little history about yourself and your background as a writer in general?
I was born on May 20th 1957 in Marburg / Germany and was raised in a small village nearby. After school I did an office job in a factory and in 1985 I quit there for a job in the sales business. Writing has always been a hobby for me, something personal. I have always done this after work and over the weekends, but I have never been a full-time writer. If I must write to earn my living, it would not be fun anymore. So I am doing my sales job to make a living, and I write to do something for myself. Although I must admit that the number of my publications are no longer a normal hobby...
I understand you're an accomplished writer in several genres. How is it you came to write Westerns?
I am reading and collecting westerns since childhood. My dad was responsible for that, because he did that too. So I always watched him reading and I asked myself what he was doing there. I was getting curious about that and I tried reading these novels too, and after that I understood. I watched a lot of movies on TV in the late 60´s. At that time we had in Germany "Bonanza", "The Virginian" and "High Chaparral" -- I loved these series. "High Chaparral" was always my favorite ranch western series on TV, and perhaps this was the inspiration for me I needed for writing.
I started to write my first historical western novel in 1980, but it took me nearly one year until it was accepted for publication. That was the start for me, and since then I had the chance to write for different publishers in various genres. But the western had been always my special kind of genre. Because a real western has everything what a good and thrilling novel should have: a trustworthy hero, moral values and a special atmosphere, which you can only find in westerns.
I've heard the Western genre is quite popular in Europe. How would you compare its popularity to the United States?
The popularity has become less. Maybe that the authors prefer other genres, like fantasy, science fiction or crime. Most of the bestselling authors in Germany or Europe are part of a younger generation who has not grown up with westerns like myself. I still can remember Roy Rogers, Lash LaRue and Roy Rogers on TV, but there are many who would ask who those guys are. The Western genre has a spirit, which you must feel deep in yourself, otherwise you could never write about it. Although the demand for western novels in Germany and Europe is not so big anymore, there are still a few writers like me who are doing their best to break a lance for this genre.
From what I've read on your background, you've written quite a few books. From where do your ideas originate?
Sometimes I am reading an historical article which makes me think that this could be the stuff for a good novel. Or I am just looking at old photos and paintings, and they become alive in my mind. I have a good collection of quite a few historical books about the Old West. If a certain period or a certain historical event is interesting for me, I do some researches online, and when I have collected all the historical facts, I am beginning to create my fictional story around the authentic background.
Is there a cowboy culture in Germany and how does it differ from the United States?
The cowboy culture in Germany? Well, if there is any, it has something to do with country music, bars and the feeling of freedom. There are a few re-enactors over here who are trying to relive the old times.
In your opinion, what makes a good Western and also, what makes a bad Western?
A good western needs to have a solid story and interesting characters, and of course a historical background which is correct. Terry C. Johnston did that in his mountain man novels. In my opinion he did a great job with that.
A bad western? Well, it´s easy to write, because you do not have to care about historical correctness or informations about the country where the story is settled.
Can you give us a little history on your past and current projects?
I have written about 150 brochure novels and nearly 30 paperbacks. The last two years I had contributed 18 novels in a series called WESTERN LEGENDS. After this series was finished in October last year, I concentrated on other projects. Just a couple of weeks ago my novel GHOST DANCE was issued -- in hardcover. It´s a historical novel about the tragic massacre at Wounded Knee and Sitting Bull´s death. I have just finished the first book in a series called THE CIVIL WAR CHRONICLES, and it will be published in May this year. Right now I am working on a historical novel about the legendary Apache warrior MANGAS COLORADAS. It will be on the market in fall this year, and after that I will start with my second Civil War novel. So I am quite busy at the moment...
Can any of your books be found on the shelves in the United States?
I would love to have these novels published in the USA, but that´s not so easy. At the moment I am trying to get some novels published in England, and one of them -- "All guns blazing" -- was accepted for publication by Hale Books in London and will be issued in summer this year. Without the help of my good friend David Whitehead that would never have happened. He was responsible for a correct translation and the final polishing. We are working on a second novel. So let´s wait and see, if any American publisher shows interest in our work...
Do you feel the Western novel is dying out? Do you have any ideas on how to promote the Western to the younger generation?
Dying is sometimes a slow process -- or in other words to say: it is still time to do something to stop this unacceptable process. Just think about a few science fiction series on TV. Star Gate for example. What is the difference of these heroes compared to a western? Only the time and the weapons. So a publisher has to be convinced that a good and solid western novel is more like a saloon fight or a cowboy rescuing the rancher´s daughter.
In my opinion the western novel is something basic, which should never be put out of sight. Moral values are still important, and the code which the heroes are following is like a quest. Would that be so different compared to the "Lord of the Rings?" The publishers have to recognize and learn, that a western still can do good sales figures. But you have to promote them properly and you have to believe that a success is possible. Authors do believe in all this -- but without the publisher´s marketing activities it don´t work.
I would once again like to thank you for taking the time to answer these questions. Can you leave us with a final word of advice?
May I please quote William W. Johnstone? In his books he adressed his readers with the following words: "The West lives on. And as long as I live it always will..."
Need I say more? Thank you for making this interview possible. It was a great pleasure and an honor for me to answer these questions.
You can find out more about Alfred Wallon as well as a link to his website by going to the Rope and Wire Links page.
|
|
