What Inspired the Realm of the Wolf Series

Inspiration for the Realm of the Wolf series came from a few different sources. First of all, I have always been fascinated by the shapeshifter legends, especially the legend of the Navajo witches that are known as Skinwalkers. These witches are thought to be able to shapeshift into different animals. I know Indian people that are very adamant about the skinwalker legends being real, though they are generally thought of as witches that use their power for evil purposes. Then there is the location that much of the first book takes place in. Years ago our family would take trips to the Wind River Mountains in Wyoming. Near this mountain range is an area that is littered with old ghost towns left behind after the gold rush era of the 1800s. We spent many summers in the area, and I always thought of what a great location it was for the setting of a book. Some of the locations in the book are real, but I’ve changed the names in the stories. For example, Brantic City in the book is Atlantic City, a small - nearly deserted town located on a dirt road in Wyoming. Near Atlantic City is the ghost town of South Pass City. This town has been restored by the BLM, and is a lot like it was over a hundred years ago. Miner’s Delight is another ghost town located in the area. In Wolf Dance, this town is Beaver Creek. The atmosphere of the area is haunting, and somewhat intriguing. I thought it was the perfect place to begin the Realm of the Wolf series. There is a rest stop on a small highway near the Wind River Mountains, and this is the location I used for the beginning of the book, “Moon Calling.” It was a very dear and close friend of mine who inspired the hero of Wolf Dance, Justin Gray Eagle. There are many bits and pieces of my life that are interwoven in the books, Wolf Dance and Moon Calling, so writing this series has been very interesting and fun.