I want to thank Tim for allowing me an opportunity to talk about myself, something we all like to do! If you haven’t gathered, he’s a funny guy, a talented writer, and British. I’m not sure how that all works, but it does, and he’s been fun to get to know. (Thank you, Rick). My pen name is Rick Murcer, but my real name is Rick Murgittroyd. My ancestors came to America from somewhere in Southern Scotland, in about 1735, so that explains my affinity for golf, Celtic music, and, the ocean. At least that’s how I see it. I love the ocean and it has lead to numerous cruises, and I also love to read when we cruise and will sometimes read four or five books on a week-long cruise. Those two circumstances led to my first novel, Caribbean Moon. My favorite genre is the police procedural thriller and after searching diligently, I realized that there were almost no novels set on a cruise ship in that genre. I thus nominated myself as the man to take on such a project. There was just a small matter of learning how to write. How hard could it be? After about five years of reading how to write, writing on how to write, being lectured on how to write…I was a total mess. I didn’t understand how things had gotten so complex. Hadn’t I already had the first short story I’d ever written published? That’s supposedly before I had a clue. After personifying that tidy little saying regarding the definition of insanity, I decided to go with what I knew - myself. I plugged in my smooth jazz collection, mostly Paul Hardcastle, infiltrated a little Celtic music, and four months later the first draft of Caribbean Moon rolled off the printer. I had written 93,000 words in a relatively short time, and had greatly enjoyed the process. I’d tossed away all of the suggestions on how to formulate an outline, how to pay attention to POV issues, how to show and not tell, etc. I just sat down and let the natural flow. Not very organized, but it worked for me. I’m still working on the technical side of writing, but it’s coming quite nicely. And I don’t let it hold me up. I guess I’m a natural storyteller and with the influence of great writers, like Dean Koontz, Stephen King, James Patterson, and Thomas Harris, I'm learning how to channel that ability to paper. I’m a bit eclectic and have learned something from all of them. But I simply LOVE to write my own twists. It makes my heart beat a little faster. One thing I’ve noticed in the suspense/thriller/police procedural genre that I’m not all that thrilled with, and, of course, everyone has their own taste here, is why the hero or heroine is often an anti-hero, or at the very least, not so likeable. I wanted to write someone that reflected more of the comic book heroes I grew up reading about in the 60s and 70s. Detective Manny Williams, the protagonist in my first three novels, is that character. He loves his wife, he’s noble, and he cares more about catching the bad guy than drinking or sex. He’s far from perfect, but he’s working on it. Think hot Boy Scout. If you think heroes like Manny are a little corny you might be right, but in this day and age it’s nice to have some reading options, don’t you think? I think I’ve discovered what works for me and I believe every writer has to go through that process. You simply must go with what works for you…"to thine own self be true" kind of thing. I’ve had my style compared to folks like Kellerman, Konrath, and James Patterson of old.
Extremely flattering and heady stuff for a first-time author to be sure, but I think my voice is my own, and that’s how I intend to write the next 15-20 novels, God willing. I think that’s what everyone should do. If you want to write, then write and sort out the bodies later! My second novel, Deceitful Moon (the cover below which is a WIP), will be released by the end of May 2011, and the third in the series, Emerald Moon, will be released by the end of September. If you asked my high school mates and teachers if that would ever happen for me, you’d probably be taken into the local Police station for drug and alcohol testing. I guess there’s no telling what one can accomplish if he or she puts their mind and heart to it, capishe?
15 Comments
Stuart Land
5/10/2011 08:06:53 pm
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5/10/2011 08:10:05 pm
Good philosophy you have there, Ric. Can't go wrong with that. Your covers are looking good, too. Oh, and thanks for modeling your hero after me, noble and squeaky clean.
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5/10/2011 11:09:58 pm
Great post, Rick. I agree with you entirely about the anti-heroes in thriller/police procedurals, so am excited you went in a different direction. I already have Caribbean Moon and can't wait to read it!
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5/10/2011 11:31:56 pm
Hot Boy Scout. Is that legal? Just kidding. In all seriousness, I love the sound of your book, Rick (am just waiting on my paper copy...remember :) and learning about how you came to do it is a bonus. So, thank you Tim, for hosting Rick. May your sales outranks the writing gods you've been compared to!
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5/11/2011 03:23:40 am
I'm up to chapter 12 in Caribbean Moon. Excellent pacing and very interesting. I can't wait for some more free time to finish it up. Nice post too, BTW. I agree with your approach. Its good to learn from others, but in the end, we have to do it our way...
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5/11/2011 11:38:04 pm
Another exciting book to read, and how great it is to get to know the author a bit more. Thanks to Tim this website gives a brilliant insight to books like Carribean Moon and Deceitful Moon. Eye catching covers and an interesting piece of writing.
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Elise Robbe
5/12/2011 03:38:43 am
I read Caribbean Moon when it first came out and was mightily impressed. Thanks for featuring Mr. Murcer's book.
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Elaine Dunkle
6/29/2011 05:01:21 am
I read Caribbean Moon and Deceitful Moon and thought them excellent, entertaining reads. I was very disappointed when I tried to order the third Manny Williams thriller for my Kindle, finding that it wasn't available. Will it become available for Kindle readers soon?
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7/4/2011 01:18:20 pm
It is better than never. so if you want to do some, ok , take action now !!!
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Rick, i read Caribbean Moon last week and just finished Deceitful Moon. I went to order Emerald Moon from my Kindle and I too was disappointed that it was not found. Now I find the Kindle may not have it til December!! Bummer. Setting of a cruise ship was great ~ having taken a half dozen cruises it was easy to drift into the environment of the ship.
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Jo-Anne
8/3/2011 08:04:04 am
I read Caribbean Moon and Deceitful Moon and thought them excellent, entertaining reads. I was very disappointed when I tried to order the third Manny Williams thriller for my Kindle, finding that it wasn't available. Will it become available for Kindle readers soon?
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Tracy Morris
8/11/2011 07:05:20 am
Love the first two. Will be impatiently waiting for the third!!!
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Carol Miller
8/31/2011 07:05:21 am
I have just discovered you as an author and I love your books, however I cannot find out why I can't download "Emerald Moon" to my Kendal. I read a sample of if from the second book in the series and wanted to read all, but couldn't find it. Can you help?
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Ann-Maree
9/9/2011 11:26:51 pm
Great post Rick, good to know something about the man behind the words. HURRY UP end of Sept!!! Can't wait for Emerald Moon. I am totally rapt up in the whole Manny story & can't wait to see the evil Argyle annihilated. Soon, hopefully????
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Sue
9/12/2011 06:08:39 am
Love the first 2 books can't wait the next one.
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