Today we sit
down with mystery, thriller, and suspense author Randy Rawls for an interview.
Learn more about Randy and his books at his website.
When did
you realize you wanted to write novels?
I've been a writer of sorts all my life, starting in
grade school. Over the years, I started many stories, but gave up. In the early
1990's, I managed to write THE END on one of my efforts and realized I truly
could finish a story. I've been doing it since.
How long
did it take you to realize your dream of publication?
Hmmm. This is a tough question. It depends on how one
defines "publication." Simple publication — about seven years.
Publication with one of the big NY houses, never. However, Dating Death is my twelfth "published" book, so I'm satisfied
with my "career."
Are you
traditionally published, indie published, or a hybrid author?
Some of each. The first two books in my Beth Bowman
series were traditionally published. Others, including Dating Death, are indie published. And,
of course, I have some recovered rights that I e-published. Guess you'd call me
a "jack-of-all-trades" in the publishing world.
Where do
you write?
I write in my "office" on my PC, or kicked
back in my recliner on my laptop. Also, hotel rooms, or wherever I happen to be
when the mood strikes. As long as my laptop will boot, I can write—and do
write.
Is silence
golden, or do you need music to write by? What kind?
Definitely not one who needs (or wants) silence. I'm
a news junky, so usually the TV is on in the background at one of the inane
news stations with the talking heads spouting their endless repetitions.
How much of
your plots and characters are drawn from real life? From your life in
particular?
First, from my life. Probably, a lot, although I cannot
identify any one thing. I suspect that my characters capture aspects of people
I've known here and there. In the case of villains, ones I've read, mixed with
ones I've seen on TV or in the movies, mixed with those in my imagination.
Plots. I pull most of my stories from the news
(remember, news junky). For example, Dating
Death begins with a dirty politician in South Florida. I don't claim we
have a monopoly on them here in paradise, but anyone who studies the news will
soon realize that there are forces driving decisions other than altruism.
Describe
your process for naming your character?
I have a tough time naming characters. Once in a
while, a name will pop into my head, but often I have to compile lists of names
and pick one. For example, Beth Bowman, the heroine of Dating Death. When I decided to write a female lead, the name Beth
just seemed automatic. In my mind, it's a strong name implying feistiness,
trustworthiness, and tenaciousness. Don't know why. It just does. However, I
needed a last name for Beth and there, I was stuck. Finally, after deciding that
Beth was a transplanted Texan, I decided to find a name that would identify
with her background. Ah, the Alamo came to mind. So, I searched the names of
its defenders. When I saw the name Bowman, I knew I had a fit. Beth Bowman was
born.
Naming villains is even tougher. I want a name that
stands out, that fits the personality I give him/her, something that will stand
out in the reader's mind. In Dating Death,
I pondered what to name the primary villain. I wanted something that showed an
ego out of control, a Mr. ??. But, not a normal Mr., a special. Maybe a Mr.
Initials. Not normal initials, though. I came up with Mr. ZZ. Then I had to
find names that fit the initials. Aha, Zackery Zogby popped up perfect.
So, as you can see, naming characters gets
complicated with me.
Real
settings or fictional towns?
Fictional towns located in a real area. Since there
is often a contentious, scowling police detective in my stories, I don't want any
specific police department upset with me. Dating
Death is set in Coral Lakes, Florida, a small city located somewhere
between Fort Lauderdale and Boca Raton.
What’s the
quirkiest quirk one of your characters has?
This one forced a smile. No doubt in my mind. Dot.
She is a homeless person in her sixties, who served 10 years in prison for
killing her lover. Before that, she was a "kept" woman until she
"aged" out and was being passed around like a used sponge. Now, she's
a smart-mouthed Beth Bowman advocate and will follow and defend Beth anywhere,
anytime.
What’s your
quirkiest quirk?
Oh, my. My wife could probably answer this with a
long list. However, trying to settle on one thing, I'll go with accuracy. When
reading a book, if I spot something that is incorrect, it ruins my taste for
the story—for example, a revolver with a safety, a clip in an M-16. Ugh. So, in
my stories, I am quick to research a minor point to make sure I get it right.
For example, in my second Tom Jeffries, I had a villain firing an Uzi on full
automatic. It was important to me to know which way the barrel would kick, so I
researched it. Once I had satisfied myself that I knew the answer, I wrote the
scene. Did it add anything important? Probably not, but I knew it was accurate.
If you could
have written any book (one that someone else has already written,) which one
would it be? Why?
I have read so many fantastic books, but I'll stick
with three that I reread every few years. They've been with me my whole adult
life, and I'd be thrilled to have copies in my casket. The Old Man and the Sea, by Ernest Hemingway. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll. If you're surprised at my
last choice, read it. As with The Old Man
and the Sea, there is a different story each time I read it.
Everyone at
some point wishes for a do-over. What’s yours?
Good question. Allowing a character to be killed
off—one I wanted back in later stories. While his death was important to the
first story, my do-over would be to find another way to handle it. I'm very
careful now when I consider losing a character. He can be wounded and live for
another appearance. For example. In Hot
Rocks, my first Beth Bowman, I had a lovable villain named Bruce Langston.
Bruce was seriously injured, but I left it open as to whether he recovered or
not. This was accidental. As far as I could see then, I was finished with Bruce
Langston. However, in book three, Dating
Death, I needed a bad guy from Beth's past. Hot dang, I could bring back
Bruce. Worked like a charm (for me, anyway).
What’s your
biggest pet peeve?
Authors, agents, and editors who lie to those seeking
their advice. One of the biggest lies in the business is, "Just write a
great book, and it'll be published." This business is built around
"who you know" far more than writing ability. Joe Smucklewortzer can
write the greatest book in history and never see it published. Yes, quality
counts, but it's secondary.
The second is the successful
writer who says, "I just sat down and dashed off a book, and everyone
wanted to publish it." I'm not saying this has never happened, but I know
the tough, tough road to publication. And it has little to do with "dashing
off a book." Look behind the scenes and you'll discover that author's road
to publication had little to do with "dashing off a book." Might want
to check his/her family tree.
Wouldn't it be more beneficial to
everyone if the author, the agent, and the editor told the truth? Yes, it might
devastate some, but it would save many others the distress of learning the
facts the hard way.
You’re
stranded on a deserted island. What are your three must-haves?
I assume you mean after sufficient water and food.
Then the answer is books, books, and more books. I cannot imagine life without
reading. I would want enough so I never had to reread one—other than The Old Man and the Sea, To
Kill a Mockingbird, and Alice in
Wonderland, of course. So many years ago, patient teachers drilled into me
the ability to read. I might not have appreciated it then, but I bless them
now.
What’s the
best book you’ve ever read?
No answer for this one. I've read far too many
fantastic stories to signal out one. Heck, I can't even decide on one author.
Every decade has produced a cornucopia of authors and stories that will live
through the ages. And you can count back as many decades as you choose, long
after you run out of fingers, toes, and ears—throughout your neighborhood.
Ocean or
mountains?
No contest. Ocean. Soothing breezes, the cooing wash
of the waves. Oh yes, ocean.
City girl/guy
or country girl/guy?
Country boy, born, bred, and will die that way.
What’s on
the horizon for you?
Keep writing. Keep reading. Stay involved. Retirement
allows me to do each of these. This year, I am Chapter President of the Florida
Chapter of Mystery Writers of America, Chair of the Architectural Review Board
in my development, write for and handle the layout of our community newspaper, The Voice for All Seasons, and Secretary
of our Men's Club. These kinds of things keep me young enough to write and
read, my true joys.
Anything
else you’d like to tell us about yourself and/or your books?
I have written three series: Ace Edwards, Dallas PI
series; Tom Jeffries, South Florida PI series; Beth Bowman, South Florida
series; Down By the River, a historical
taking place in 1955-1956; plus assorted short stories. I also have a
standalone that I'm shopping. All except the last one are available from
Amazon. Check me out. You might find something you like.
Dating
Death
The Chief of Police of Coral Lakes, FL has the goods
on Roger Adamson, a dirty politician. However, the chief knows Adamson has
additional information that could bring down a drug lord and disembowel his
organization. Chief Elston asks Beth Bowman, a South Florida PI, to assist by becoming
Adamson's consort/bodyguard while Adamson parses out data. Beth agrees, not
realizing multiple homicides, a kidnapping, a tight frame for murder, and the
loss of the man she loves await her. If not for Beth's homeless friends, all
might be lost.
Buy Links
