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Growing Up is a Tough Job
Daniel Boyd Author Interview
The Devil & Streak Wilson follows a man who sells his reflection to to the devil but finds the price was too high. What was the inspiration for the setup to this thrilling supernatural western?
The Doppelganger or “Double-Walker” has been walking through folklore, literature, and movies since before the Bible, and it struck me as a natural for the Western. As I wrote it, the traditional Western characters — cowboys, lawmen, saloon gals, bounty hunters and even the town barber — seemed to respond to the notion in ways they don’t usually do, and I have to say it surprised me.
Steak Wilson is a fascinating and well developed character. What were some driving ideas behind his character development?
Growing up is a tough job, and not everybody gets it right. I remembered the confusion, hard lessons learned, and absurd fun of being just a little too young, and tried to put it into this guy. If I did it right, readers of all ages will relate to it.
The idea of selling one’s soul to the devil is captured in a unique way in your story. What were some themes you felt were important to explore in this book?
I haven’t had any use for God since I became a grown-up, but I’ve often wished there were a Devil; the character has given so much to literature and the arts, I thought it was time to take a whole new look at him. And I’ll say right now, if you know a young person in search of guidance, and you think Devil-Worship might be right for them… well, just let them read this and their parents, teachers, and clergy will never forget you for it.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
A sequel, GONE TO GRAVEYARDS, is ready to go if this one sells well enough.
Author Links: Amazon | GoodReads
![The Devil & Streak Wilson by [Daniel Boyd]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/412bCHkyjfL.jpg)
A BARGAIN MADE IN HELL
THE KID THEY CALLED STREAK WILSON had a way with a gun, and he was tired of being treated like a boy.
THE DEVIL DIDN’T SEEM LIKE A BAD SORT and he offered a deal for Streak to live his dreams without losing his soul.
WITH MORE MONEY THAN HE COULD SPEND INA LIFETIME
Streak Wilson found himself framed as a horse thief, chased by bounty hunters, hounded by the Devil… And headed for a showdown with the deadliest killer in the territory—
THE MAN THEY CALLED STREAK WILSON!
The Devil & Streak Wilson
Have you been tempted by the Devil? Would you give up anything to have the life you always dream about? The girl you always lusted after? And the money to go along with it? Would you do it, or steer clear of the devil’s path?
The Devil and Steak Wilson is one such story that describes how our protagonist Streak Wilson, the best shot in Ware county, but poor and without any good prospects. The only prospect he has is dying poor. It is one such time that the devil tries to talk with him in a barbershop. He proposes that Streak could have all that he wanted and more if only he would give his soul to him. Wary of that, our hero demurs. Then the devil gives him another deal, a money bag that would never go empty in exchange for his reflection in the mirror, thus no need of selling his soul. Relieved that he won’t have to sell the soul, Streak takes the deal. Almost immediately, Streak begins to have problems with his decision. While still in the barbershop he is accosted by people about a stolen horse. It is only by the fortuitous presence of the barbershop owner that he escapes that angry mob. Finding that he may not be lucky every time, he decides that he should bring his reflection to a swift justice by taking him down. But he is unaware of the subtle traps that the devil has laid in the way.
The story proceeds at a brisk pace building a surreal and vivid setting which made me believe I was right inside the story. At the start, I was thinking that this novel was a variation of the Faust but the Author Daniel Boyd has a unique and smart way of telling a riveting story that sets this book apart from other western genre novels. Daniel Boyd also touches on the topics of racism, religion, and the bigotry in his supernatural thriller that gives more dimension to an already interesting story line. I am pleased with the way he has highlighted it without trying to preach, but more to invite introspection. But the most remarkable aspect of this story is the subtle warning that big or small, a deal with the devil never bears any good. I really enjoyed The Devil and the Streak Wilson, a tale of subtle allure woven by the devil which almost all of us gets entangled with at some point in our lives. Anyone looking for a suspenseful novel with a provocative character will enjoy The Devil and Streak Wilson. This is the best western novel I’ve read this year.
Pages: 210 | ASIN: B085S14GSV
LITERARY TITAN 