Nickolas Butler is an award-winning writer and novelist who has published five books, one of which is the wildly popular, award-winning Shotgun Love Songs. His most recent novel is titled Godspeed— a fast-paced, thriller of a book that is set in and around Jackson Hole, Wyoming. While the novel has all of the components that make for a great story– action, suspense, wild landscapes, complex characters– it also touches on many of the challenges facing the modern-day West, including income inequality and rural gentrification. From the first page of Godspeed, I was hooked, and I stayed up way too late for several nights in a row finishing the book.
For all of Nick’s accomplishments as a novelist, his path to becoming a full-time writer was not an easy one, nor was he an overnight success. He spent many years working a variety of jobs, including as a telemarketer, meatpacker, and Burger King maintenance man. And as you’ll hear him discuss in this conversation, it was during his stint working as a liquor store clerk that he decided to fully commit to the craft and profession of writing. Fast forward to today, and his focus, commitment, and hard work have paid off– not only is he a successful full-time writer, but also a devoted husband and father of two.
Nick and I recorded this conversation just a few days after the publication of Godspeed. I was lucky enough to read an advanced copy of the book prior to our conversation, and I can’t say enough great things about it. So we obviously talked a lot about the book– his process for writing it, how the book highlights present-day challenges facing the West, and how he went about developing the plot and the characters. We discussed his journey as a writer and artist– how and why he views writing as a craft, the importance of hard work, and how he keeps his competitive fire burning, even after experiencing so much success. We also talk a lot about family and community, which are two subjects that Nick and I are both very passionate about. And finally, Nick offers up a ton of excellent book and author recommendations, as well as some wise parting words.
Big thanks to the great writer, angler, and past podcast guest Chris Dombrowski for introducing me to Nick. Check the episode notes for the full list of everything we discuss and links to all of the books and authors that nick mentions. And I encourage you to pick up a copy of Godspeed— you’ll love it.
Photos courtesy of Nickolas Butler
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EPISODE NOTES
Topics Discussed:
- 4:00 – Nickolas compares his most recent book release with his first release.
- 9:30 – Nickolas discusses how he handles reviews of his work
- 13:45 – Nickolas explains how he balances creating art with treating writing as a job, like a craftmaker
- 16:00 – Nickolas discusses his most recent novel, Godspeed, and how the story came to him
- 21:00 – Nickolas talks about the process of a story gathering in his mind, and generally how long it takes.
- 22:30 – Nickolas discusses how he comes to know a place to write about it so well.
- 25:45 – Nickolas reads a passage from Godspeed and explores the challenges surrounding housing in the West and beyond.
- 32:00 – Nickolas explores the way he crafts stories in his writing, and how it leads to empathy in his most recent novel.
- 36:45 – Nickolas describes the role of meth and addiction in Godspeed.
- 38:30 – Nickolas talks through the pace and process of writing Godspeed.
- 41:15 – Nickolas discusses some of his current projects.
- 42:45 – Nickolas looks back on his career before being a writer.
- 49:30 – Nickolas discusses his transition from early career to writing career.
- 52:15 – Nickolas talks about how he keeps his “fire going” in his career.
- 55:00 – Nickolas talks about teaching work ethic to his children.
- 58:00 – Nickolas identifies his literary icons.
- 1:00:45 – Nickolas’s favorite books about the West.
- 1:03:00 – Nickolas’s parting words of wisdom.
Information Referenced:
- Nickolas Butler
- Chris Dombrowski
- Marcus Burke
- Pretty Woman
- Coldplay
- James Ellen McPhearson
- Peter Heller
- Michael Perry
- Eau Claire, WI
- Jackson, WY
- Lord of the Flies
- John Larison
- Upper Arkansas River Valley
- Ethan Canin
- Pushed Out: Contested Development and Rural Gentrification in the US West
- The Eau Claire Leader Telegram
- Oscar Mayer
- Rick Bass
- Stephen King
- Marilyn Robinson
- Jim Harrison
- The UP (Upper Peninsula)
- Annie Proulx
- Tom McGowen
- Legends of the Fall
- Treasure of the Sierra Madre
- Ken Kesey
- CJ Box
- David James Duncan
Enjoy this episode? Then you might like these too:
- Chris Dombrowski – Words, Water & the West
- Peter Heller – Chasing the Flow
- Heather Hansman – Demystifying Water in the West
- Hampton Sides – Live at the Aspen Institute
- David Gessner, Part 2 – Ambition, Art, and Arête
- Sara Dant – A Deep Dive Into the History of the West
- Alexis Bonogofsky – Taking a Stand for the West
- Monte Burke – Exploring Obsession
- Chris Burkard – The Art of Suffering
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