Book FAQs
The Wooden Indian Resurrection traces a Native American woman in South Dakota who is as lifeless as the wooden Indian she impersonates at a mall until she faces whites who betrayed her and discovers it’s never too late to become who you're meant to be. The novel’s big question—who did YOU become?—is one I wrestled with.
“A poignant reminder that we must face - not run from - our deepest fears. By doing so, we find the freedom we long for.”
~ Jean Snedegar, Reporter/Producer for BBC Radio and West Virginia Public Broadcasting
Hooty McTooty Discovers True Beauty is a Seuss-like story in rhyme that takes a humorous swipe at our airbrushed, makeover society. It is reading-appropriate for kids preschool through third grade (though I've had plenty of adults get a good guffaw from it).
"Colorfully delightful and carries the story line at an easy pace."
~Jewel Sample, Flying Hugs and Kisses
Both are available here.
In The Wooden Indian Resurrection,
Deborah Running Bear gets into big trouble with this statue
Deborah Running Bear gets into big trouble with this statue
Where did your ideas for these books come from?
Wooden Indian: At a reunion of high school girl friends, we were a little self conscious, perhaps each wondering, “What have I done with my life?” By the time I reached home from the reunion, I had a rough draft in scribbled notes that reflected the question we all eventually ponder: has my life mattered?
Hooty McTooty: I was going through a difficult time, so I chose to turn to rhyme. Hooty was hatched and swiftly dispatched, and speaks with the ring of a chime.
Hooty McTooty Discovers True Beauty
is cleverly illustrated by Andrew Lucas
is cleverly illustrated by Andrew Lucas
What motivates you to write?
To understand our individual stories within a larger context. Life makes sense only in relationship to this bigger narrative, which I picture as a four-act drama:
Utopia - the creation of everything. Perfect.
Dystopia - the crash of everything. Broken.
Crosstopia - the rescue of everything. Sacrifice.
Newtopia - the re-creation of everything. Party!
In Wooden Indian, loves breaks out at these falls
Where are we in this larger drama?
A twilight zone between Act Three and Act Four. The historical Jesus of Nazareth inaugurated the new creation. But we’re in a strange time of “now-but-not-yet,” waiting on tiptoes for the restoration of all that is good and right.
The Bird Body Shop, where Hooty McTooty gets a makeover