POCATELLO — Every writer worth his or her salt has always dreamed of creating the Great American Novel, but of course, few realize that wish. Few Faulkners, O’Neills, Twains or Fitzgeralds come out of those efforts. Most try and give up; still, others bring to light works of art that may touch one person or millions.

    And while Will Peterson’s inaugural effort, “Crawl On Your Belly Like a Man,” may not quite fit into that latter category, it is nevertheless his own work, culminating in nine years of blood, sweat and tears.

    “Yes, it took nine years, one marriage, one liver, etc. …” said Peterson, owner of The Walrus and the Carpenter bookstore on Main Street, who has published four books on poetry, but never undertook the trials and tribulations of a novel. “I began writing this in 2003, spent the last two years doing re-writes and editing and finally had it published last week. I’m glad it’s finished, but it was not all smooth sailing.”

    The experience may not have necessarily been a bed of roses, but at least it contained a homegrown protagonist and takes place in our own backyard. “This isn’t just an Idaho novel,” Peterson said, “it’s a Southeastern Idaho novel.”

    He also explained that the rather enigmatic title came five years after he started the endeavor from a discussion of the “vicissitudes of life” Peterson had once with a “local intellectual” who suddenly burst out the phrase.

    Out just one week, the work has been described as “spare, brutal and laconic” by local critics, while Peterson claims that several women have commented that it is a most entertaining diversion. Plans are even in the works for the writer to engage in a U.S. tour to support its nationwide release.

    The first tome published by the in-house group, Walrus and Carpenter Books, “Crawl” tells the story of Feral Errol, a local falconer and veteran who returns from the war in Iraq and — during the summer of ’03 — finds himself involved with area Fish and Game personnel, teachers, railroad men, social workers and even Indians at Fort Hall.

    “The first part of the book is all about Pocatello, and the city comes out looking very good,” Peterson said. “There are passages that residents will clearly understand — the neon sign at Molinelli’s Jewelry Store, Old Town, the ancient advertising messages painted on buildings more than a century ago — things we can all relate to.”

    The novel also includes more than a fair amount of animal imagery ranging from rattlesnakes, falcons, eagles, elk, sage grouses, salmon and wolves, among others. The religious aspects also center on multiple themes such as Native-Americanism, the Norse legend of the Tree of Odin and more mainstream sects.

    “I tried to incorporate as many life experiences as I could, but I’m not saying who’s life or experiences those were,” he coyly added. “I will say one thing, though, the narrator (and lead character) is part of any number of people I know or have known in my life. The beauty of writing in the first person, though, is that you get another character and can create almost an entire new life. It was challenging but very rewarding in the end.”

    The message of the novel, overall, according to the author, is that life is a risk with definite pitfalls, but certainly some highlights along the way. “If you truly attempt to live fully, you will take your lumps, yes, but there are also great things that can come out of it, as well,” he said. “I’ve populated with interesting characters and railroad tales, funny stories, gritty adventures, some slapstick and pratfalls all sewn into a fairly dark and fatal undercurrent, just like the Snake River, which is also prominent in this book.

    “All and all, I think I’ve written a hell of a novel, if I don’t say so myself.”

    Next up for Peterson and Walrus and Carpenter Books — if sales of this work continue to grow — will be a book on Southeastern Idaho petroglyphs, or carvings in the basalt rock dating from 2,000 to possibly 12,000 years hence.

    “I am fascinated by our regional history,” Peterson said, “and these works of art contain so many mystical images as well as religious and historical significance, I believe it will make an amazing read.”