Dr. Bill Stork

Stepping from Herriot's Shadow

 

Dr. Stork refuses to refer to himself as an author. He’s far more comfortable being called a storyteller with an amazing stable of friends, unique perspective, and two editors who are both skilled and tolerant.

 

Four years ago, Dr. Stork sat down to write stories about dogs, cats, cows, farms, families, and faith. Collectively they became In Herriot’s Shadow, a book about humanity. He is still a country vet practicing in a small town in Wisconsin, writing with the same unique voice, but Stepping from Herriot’s Shadow is anything but a continuum. The book you are holding is bound and printed, but it is a snapshot. The writings and reflections that have become Stepping from Herriot's Shadow are alive. Their direction is unknown. The path will be guided by a pearl plucked from conversation with the next farmer, teacher, or tap dancer he encounters. 

 

He moves from responding to road-raging “Prius Pete”, to celebrating survival in “Family Tradition.” Amazon reviewer Sarah said of In Herriot’s Shadow, “He doesn’t write much about animals.” Well, Sarah, here are stories about elusive Jack Russell terriers, free range pigs, old black Labs, rampaging cows, and skunks. There are also stories about a WWII Veteran barber, anger management, serendipity, and gaining strength by way of a sick daughter, or climbing a mountain.

 

Sarah also lamented, “Never with the grace and self-deprecation of Herriot”. Sarah, you’ll be delighted to read how he had his backside handed to him by a Holstein with a roundhouse right, a professor in vet school, and his son.

 

Music and storytelling is an art, a form of living history, a way to explore human interaction.

 

Songwriter Kevin DeForrest says, “Serve the song.”

 

Dr. Stork says, “Tell the story. Only then do you know the end.”

"My good friend, Bill Stork, published this book - In Herriot's Shadow. Two years prior, he wrote me a letter. The gist: to him, farmers and musician/songwriters have striking similarities, not the least of which is that they do what they do not by choice, but because they were born to do it. Thanks for your book, Bill, and thanks for giving me the inspiration to write this song. Thanks as well to Eric Drobny, Bruce Rummenie and Danny Deckard for bringing the song to fruition." - Kevin Deforrest

Here is what Bill Stork knows: Just as the best road trips are seldom made on straight interstate highways, good stories sometimes dodge and weave and become something other than what they seemed at the outset.

Doug Moe, Madison Magazine

 

Bill Stork has this thing about first impressions. He can't abide them...

Doug Moe, Wisconsin State Journal

 

Bill - loved this piece! You are indeed "In Herriot's Shadow". Keep writing! ("Hedley Rides Again")

Virginia Bradshaw

 

You must publish this book. Bill Stork's stories comprised some of the best reading I’ve done in a while, and I read all the time. He has a strong and personable voice, and an easy way of putting together two or three words in a way that you’ve never seen before, but in a way that makes perfect sense and that captures the scene better than any more mundane use of words possibly could.

Coleman

 

Superb story, well-told. ("Norway's Gold")

George Hesselberg

 

This is like a really legit book!

Calvin Stork, upon receiving a copy from dad