Get to know the name David Heska Wanbli Weiden.
Here, the author indulges EW in reflecting on his writing process andWinter Count’s journey to print.
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: What is the first thing ever that you remember writing?
Credit: Courtesy David Heska Wanbli Weiden; Ecco
Everyone in the class loved the tale, and soon the other students started writing their own stories!
What is the last book that made you cry?
He called me one afternoon and asked for a recommendation, and I immediately mentionedLonesome Dove.
After that, we never lost contact again.
Which book is at the top of your current To-Read list?
The Night Watchman(Harper, 2020) by Louise Erdrich.
And of course, I was so honored that she readWinter Countsand provided a wonderful quote praising the novel.
Where do you write?
Ive also had the good fortune to write at several artists residencies, including MacDowell and Ragdale.
At MacDowell, I was in the cabin where James Baldwin worked on some of his novels.
Which book made you a forever reader?
The books were old, musty, and set in microscopic pop in.
What is a snack you couldnt write without?
But thats not really a snack its a necessity, right?
So, I guess my go-to snack would be Cape Cod Kettle Chips, original style.
But, Ive never been able to find them in Colorado.
If you could change one thing about any of your books what would it be?
InWinter Counts, I wish Id written more scenes with the dog, Ava.
I love the breed, and I own an actual Bichon named (not coincidentally) Ava.
I promise that Ava will reappear in the sequel,Wounded Horse!
What is your favorite part ofWinter Counts?
I had a lot of fun writing the ending chapters ofWinter Counts, which are pretty intense.
Its a hybrid theme park/restaurant thats even appeared on the cartoonSouth Park.
What was the hardest plot point or character to write?
