Many thanks, and a question on imagination and experience.

[Christopher_Lettera]

Mr. Burke,

Having begun with Cimarron Rose and Heartwood, I am hooked. Not long ago, I visited Texas to see a friend graduate from Air Force Basic, and the land itself and the air had a leveling effect on my thoughts and spirit. You capture that feeling so well, and Billy Bob is a fine character. I look forward to knowing Hackberry and later Dave as well, and to recommending your books to my friends.

With love and support from my parents, I’ve been writing fiction since grade school. My father passed in 06 before I began college. Perhaps the only divide that existed between he and I was how we interacted with the world – me by way of a young man’s imagination that lived on books, films, and songs, and he as an adult through colorful experience as a Golden Gloves fighter, a US Army veteran, a truck driver, and an avid, respectful deer hunter and outdoorsman. I’ve been moved lately to write a series of short stories (mostly magical realism) set at his hunting cabin, but I do so with more than a small amount of trepidation.

I lay claim to having shot his .22 at a range and having cooked us TV dinners in the stove at his cabin. Beyond this, I am twenty-four, to this day mostly knowing the world through the lens of a full-time student. I am certain that I write with his blessing, but is it enough to write from what is primarily an imaginative perspective? Part of me wants to live ten lives before letting my fingers dance on any keyboard. Part of me wants to write regardless and to write from feeling.

As I’ve begun this new project and as I’ve gone through my father’s things, I’ve thought of Billy Bob studying on the life of his Great-Grandpa Sam, and that has brought me much comfort and inspiration. I write as a new fan and a very grateful reader to have discovered your books.

All the best to you and so much thanks,

- Christopher Lettera
Youngstown, Ohio

[jamesleeburke]

Thanks, Mr. L. Good luck with your own writing. Write what you feel and think about the world and never listen to the naysayers and things will work out fine.

Best,

JLB

[jamesleeburke]

Thanks, Mr. L. Good luck with your own writing. Write what you feel and think about the world and never listen to the naysayers and things will work out fine.

Best,

JLB

[Christopher_Lettera]

Thanks so much for your kind response and encouragement.

All the best to you in life and writing. Your books have provided me with more enrichment and entertainment than I can put into words.

- Christopher Lettera

[jamesleeburke]

Rock on, noble mon.

Best,

JLB