David McEwen did not set out to be a writer. He grew up on the family farm outside White Lake, Ontario, attending high school in Arnprior with a dream of being a forest ranger. His teen years were spent working on the family farm while attending school preparing for forestry college. His spare time was spent working with horses at a riding establishment, started by his father and uncle. His spare time had him competing in horse shows, amateur rodeos and fairs around the country.