A writer nearly her entire life, words are no stranger for Rolla-based author Donna Kane. But a non-fiction novel? It’s new territory. Largely a poet, Kane’s first non-fiction novel, “Summer of the Horse” is now on bookstands.
But the difference between genres is less than you would think.
“I actually think that poetry and creative non-fiction are very similarly aligned. I probably didn’t realize that when I started,” explains Kane. “But once I did, I realized it’s not that big of a leap.”
The novel initially began about 10 years ago as a series of largely unrelated essays about nature and wilderness. When she agreed to take care of an injured horse, she had found the narrative thread tying together themes of wilderness — both the physical wilderness and the metaphysical sense of the word — and humanity’s relationship with animals.
“I was not a horse person, so I had to get to know the horse,” says Kane. “If you observe, they often respond in similar ways that we do, they’re not so different.”
“Summer of the Horse” also explores Kane’s experience entering a new relationship after 25 years of marriage, and finding a whole new sense of nature exploring the Muskwa-Kechika area with her husband Wayne Sawchuk.
One thing deeply important to her, was to tell the truth — the whole truth. Examining her own choices — good and bad — she pulls no punches.
“I just decided if I was going to tell the story, I was going to have to be as honest as I could and when I read other peoples writing, I do appreciate those who don’t hold back, who are honest about their frailties,” she explains.
Kane hopes readers gain an appreciation of nature, particularly the Muskwa-Kechika area, which she and her husband work ardently to protect.
“I’ve lived in the Peace my entire life, and I have a deep connection to the natural world — I grew up on a farm. I really care about the natural spaces,” she says. “And it concerns me a lot of the industry that is taking place.
“And when you go into a wilderness area like the Muskwa-Kechika, you realize just how different it is. We live in a rural area, but it’s very heavily industrialized, whereas Muskwa-Kechika is still an intact wilderness area — there’s very few of them left.”
Kane will be at the Dawson Creek Art Centre Friday at 7 pm, reading an excerpt of her book and will be participating in a question and answers session afterwards. There will be music before and after, and refreshments for participants.
