Author’s Choice with Gary (G.R.) Miller

Please welcome Gary (G.R.) to Author’s Choice.

Dear readers, here’s where you get to play along. The author will tell us two truths and one lie (ed comment –I randomized the order). At the end of the questions, we’ll reveal what really happened. Remember, we write crime fiction, so lying is in our nature . . .

Two Truths, One Lie

Truth or Lie? I didn’t even think about writing until I was in my 50s.

Truth or Lie? I worked as a Park Ranger with the National Park Service for twelve years.

Truth or Lie? The playwright, Arthur Miller, was my father’s cousin.

Eight Quick Questions

Now for some fun insight into today’s author. Here are eight forced choice questions.

1.         First draft: longhand, keyboard, or dictation? My early writing was a bit of both. Now I exclusively pound the keyboard.

2.         Plotter, panster, or plantser (that chaotic middle ground)? I’m primarily a panster but cannot avoid having to stop and plot. And regardless of what diehard plotters are willing to admit, I believe all writers are a bit of both plotter and punster—that chaotic middle ground. Plotters may have detailed outlines, plot arcs, note cards, etc. to refer to, but when it comes down to writing unique description and especially dialogue, they become pantsers. The opposite is true for pantsers. We’re highly creative and can sit down and start writing a story with just an idea in our minds. But sooner or later, we have to stop and analyze—those WAIT! Why did that happen moments. Timelines can be particularly troubling for pantsers.

3.         Editing as you go, or vomit draft first and fix it later? My mentor preached write first; edit last. But I come from a left-brain, mechanical background and have to fix things as they break. Besides, I rather enjoy editing.

4.         Character names: meticulously researched, stolen from real life, or whatever sounds right? For some reason, I don’t have a problem with names. Character names pop into my head that seem to mirror the image of the characters they represent.

5.         Writing space: coffee shop chaos, library quiet, or home sweet home? When I first started writing, I took advantage of getting words on paper wherever the opportunity arose. Now I prefer my home office. Fewer distractions and the restroom is right around the corner.

6.         Writer's block: push through, step away, or "it's not real"? Writer’s block is real enough. When that occurs, I find it’s best to step away from the computer, think things over, and come back later. Depending on the problem, sometimes that later can be days, weeks, or even months.

7.         Reading your own work aloud: love it, tolerate it, or would rather eat glass? Reading aloud can be helpful, but I prefer having others read my work then sit down and discuss it with me. Constructive criticism from a variety of readers (beta readers) simulates how our reading audience will react.

8.      Happy ending, bittersweet, or gut-punch finale? Although many readers may like things wrapped up nice and tidy by the final page, life isn’t always nice and tidy, so some stories end up messy. It depends on the characters and the storyline. Writers that do sequels may deliberately choose to leave hints at the end that, although this story is closed, there’s more to come.

About the Book

Enough about you, let’s turn to three questions about your book.

Q: If your main character in this novel showed up at your door right now, what would be the first thing they'd say to you (and would it be a complaint)?

A. If Murphy showed up at my front door, I’d expect the initial conversation to go something like this:

“Hello, my name’s Randal Murphy. Are you G.R. Miller?”

“Yes, I am.”

“Geez, you’re not at all what I expected.”

Q: What's one thing you hope readers take away from this book?

A. I enjoy writing and creating my characters, particularly their dialogue. Dead Legends offers a taste of Noir, a bit of history, and a dash of humor mixed into a private-detective mystery. Above all, I want my readers to relate to the characters and to feel that they’ve been thoroughly entertained as they come to the final page.

Q: What question did you want me to ask, and what is your answer? 

A. How did you come up with the idea for a 1950s private eye novel? I woke up one night with the following line buzzing in my mind. “Friday, the end to a bastard of a week—like all my weeks lately. On top of that, it was the thirteenth.” I immediately thought, “Wow, that sounds like the perfect down-on-his-luck Sam Spade or Philip Marlow kind of line. But what do I do with it?” So, I decided to write a Private Eye novel.

      Because I grew up in the 1950s St. Louis area, that’s when and where my superstitious protagonist would be based. Then I gave him a name, came up with an opening and an ending (which changed dramatically), and sat down with Murphy at the computer and started writing. Eighty-seven thousand words later (after much editing and rewrites) Dead Legends was born.

The Big Reveal

Now let’s see how good a sleuth (or guesser) our readers are. Please reveal all.

The lie is I have no family ties to Arthur Miller. I didn’t become a serious reader until my late thirties, which influenced my eventual desire to write. While living in Colorado, and after leaving a career in the automotive industry in my fifties, I found a mentor, who helped me focus more on writing. Colorado is also where I found my dream job as a Park Ranger with the National Park Service. Now completely retired, I’ve written three more novels (with plenty of ideas for more), plus a novella and numerous short stories.

Here’s a blurb for and some links where you can find Gary's latest:

Book Blurb

Friday the 13^th. For 1950s private eye, Randal Murphy, it’s the end to another bastard of a week. Then Valerie Haynes, a gal Murphy once adored, sways into his office.

Valerie’s husband, Paul Jenson—a guy Murphy once loathed—has vanished and she wants Murphy to find him. The Jenson name triggers a flashback to the death of Paul’s father, prominent St. Louis banker, Aaron Jenson. Coincidence or clue? Handwritten notes warn Murphy to back off, so he digs deeper.

A failed money-laundering indictment links Aaron Jenson to Paul’s east-side mobster boss, Vince Bartelli, plus the prospect of a police coverup. Bullets flying at the Jenson mansion draw Murphy and Valerie closer—much closer. Determined to end the case, Murphy travels to Paul’s last-known whereabouts, where the local sheriff shares proof that Paul Jenson is dead. Case closed? Murphy isn’t convinced. A late night Jingle from Paul verifies Murphy’s suspicions, and that the real danger still lies ahead.

Dead Legends: On the Heels of the Earl transports readers back to the gritty, black-and-white world of Noir, filled with snappy dialogue, characters from sleazy to sophisticated, one-liners that don’t quit, and settings that take on roles of their own.

[Amazon] 

Want to know more?

For more information about Gary https://grmillerauthor.com