To kick off Alberta Arts Days, which run from September 30 to October 2, Highline is proud to be featuring each of this year’s Mayor’s Spotlight on the Arts award recipients. The artists being recognized will be featured in a weekly blog leading up to the Spotlight on the Arts event on September 30th (see event details at the bottom of this blog).
Written by Dakota Montgomery
“You’re not my favourite author. You’re my second favourite.” While Andrew Bown may not echo the praise of book reviewers with regards to his dad Stephen’s writing, I’m sure he can be forgiven. He is only in grade four, after all.
Stephen with author Dakota Montgomery.
Despite not being at the top of his son’s list (Andrew’s favourite being whomever’s book he is reading at the time), local writer Stephen Bown has made his mark in the field of historical non-fiction writing. While history is often associated with a dry list of dates and facts to be memorized and regurgitated, Stephen has delved deeper to find the stories of the people behind the facts and dates.
Author of many bestselling books including Merchant Kings and A Most Damnable Invention, Stephen moved to Canmore twelve years ago with his wife, Nicky Brink, to enjoy the opportunities for hiking, skiing and mountain biking. He finds it incredibly exciting to be recognized among all of the other interesting people in town. “People find unusual ways to make a living [in Canmore],” he said. Making the decision to join the ranks of the imaginatively employed, Stephen became a full time writer after coming to the Bow Valley. With seven books to his credit since the move, it appears that the move agrees with him.
Stephen Bown has published seven books of historical non-fiction and numerous magazine articles, with many titles translated into other languages.
Staring at the pile of books that cover the coffee table, it is hard to believe that a work of art could begin with a single sticky note and an idea that just won’t go away. Much of Stephen’s inspiration comes from ideas in history that we have long ceased to question and that we simply accept as fact. While many people would glance over the mention of a line being drawn through the middle of the ocean, Stephen made a note to himself every time he saw a reference to this, wondering why. Thus was born his latest book, 1494: How a Family Feud in Medieval Spain Divided the World in Half.
Although he enjoys traveling back through history to find the stories of those who lived it, Stephen shows little excitement at the prospect of doing any real time-traveling. When asked about which era of history he would most like to experience, it takes him a moment to come up with an answer. “I’d do a lot of research before being transported. Maybe ancient Greece, but I wouldn’t want to get stuck in the middle of the Peloponnesian War or in an enormous plague. It’s good to live here and now.”
As tempting as it is to simply dive into the past and see what you can find, there is a system for the development of a successful book. First you have to sit down and write out a proposal which means doing enough research to explain why your book will be successful and why people will be interested. Stephen describes the whole creative process as a ‘journey of discovery’ for the author.
Nicky drops by the kitchen to offer another perspective on this journey. “There are two different phases: he is puttering and wandering as he processes, [and then] the editing phase is completely different.” Based solely on Stephen’s enthusiasm it is easy to picture him puttering in the kitchen or riding his bike while his mind is back in fifteenth century Spain. He becomes thoroughly engrossed in whatever topic or era is on his mind.
Mountain biking with son, Andrew.
It is this enthusiasm and a driving curiosity that has led him to produce one historic epic after another. He has already completed the manuscript for his next book, entitled The Last of the Vikings: The Extraordinary Life of Roald Amundsen, which will be published a year from now.
Stephen Bown’s ability to take pieces of the past and bring them to life makes his readers feel as if they are going on an adventure with him. I wonder, where will he take us next?
The Town of Canmore is inviting the community to come to the Canmore Miners’ Union Hall on September 30 beginning at 5:30 pm to celebrate several local artists who will be “spotlighted” during the Mayor’s Spotlight on the Arts celebration. The event will focus on the diversity and variety of artistic talent in Canmore. Tickets for the event are available for $15 through the arts and culture department at Canmore Civic Centre. Get them in person or reserve by phone at 403.678.1878.
The event will be a wine and appetizer evening, with a “spotlight” on three local artists, acknowledgement of lifetime contribution to the arts, recognition for a significant community builder, an internationally recognized keynote speaker, and an emerging artist’s bursary being awarded.About the Author: Dakota Montgomery graduated from Canmore Collegiate two years ago. Currently an aviation student at Mount Royal University in Calgary, she simply writes for the enjoyment of it.
