the idea in his mind until it was polished like a pebble, and the idea for his book was born. Hours turned into days, and days turned into weeks as the story made its way onto paper. He poured through historical documents and listened to accounts in order to make the events and backdrop as authentic as possible. Mary went to work too, editing and typing the words with careful attention. The current edition is in its fifth printing, and the process has been ongoing. Before each new print, changes and additions have been made. Most recently, Ginny’s character was developed more than she had been before – a modification Van Dyke made as a move to evolve the book to stage or screen performances. “You don’t have to be a cowboy to like this book,” Van Dyke says. “It’s an allegory; a metaphor. It’s also a feel-good piece. You feel good about America and our heritage as a people when you read this story.” He hopes his writing and filmmaking can merge for future projects with “A Cowboy Christmas,” and with his gumption, it just might. In the meantime, with Mary by his side, he finds plenty of time to do readings in his dynamic and articulate voice. He inspires and stimulates the imaginations of both children and adults through both his words and his presence. “You have one voice,” says the man who has honed his own quite well. “Like WB, kids are growing up trying to discover who they are, and liking what they find. ‘A Cowboy Christmas’ teaches lessons about value, hope, character development – all the lessons people of all ages can absorb. “It teaches them they can be anyone they want to be.” www.acowboychristmas.com
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