What Kind of Writer am I? by Robin Ray – Guest Blog and Giveaway


This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Robin Ray will be awarding a $30 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

What kind of writer am I?
That’s an interesting question simply because I’m not sure what a writer is supposed to be like. Do some writers cloister themselves when they’re trying to get work done? I sure feel like doing that from time to time, especially when it seems people want your attention just at that moment you’ve decided to start writing. I know I’m definitely the kind of writer that hates distractions, and this is also to the point where I often prefer to write in abject silence. I’ve tried writing in the quiet and serenity of parks and lakes but, when my neck starts hurting from straining over my laptop, it’s then I realize I’d rather write with my laptop sitting on a desk or table. I’d say I’m a relatively disciplined writer in that I could sit at a desk for hours trying to get something right. It wouldn’t at all be unusual for me to sit from 7 PM to 6 AM trying to get something done. The research I often have to do necessitates that kind of discipline. In the past, I’ve had to take crash courses on Arkansas quartz mining, the Mossad in South America during the early 60’s, quantum physics and the possibilities of interdimensional travel, the history of shipwrecks in the Bermuda Triangle, the Mayan history of the Camazotz, Jain cosmology, the landscape of Bangladesh, and many others. Also, since I sometimes write stories where people speak languages other than English, I’ve had to study and write what someone would say who speaks German, French, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Vietnamese, the Native American language of the Lummi people, and several others. As far as my writing style is concerned, I’m a plotter. I sketch my stories out from beginning to end and use illustrations if necessary. Sometimes, I even do blocking. In the scriptwriting world, blocking refers to writing out a serious of action in detail. For instance, in the novella “Stranded in Paradise,” I’ve had to physically “block” the movements of five people who were on the bridge of a cruise ship in order to get the sequence of events right. Hopefully, no one saw me standing in my room by myself kicking, chopping, and slashing the air like Jet Li. That would’ve been odd!

No one ever “re-dies” in Heaven; unfortunately, that’s exactly what happened to singer Amy Winehouse. Her death, an unprecedented event in Heaven’s history, has thrown a once docile world into unfortunate chaos. Because of the new uneasy alliance between angels and citizens, a freshly-arrived detective in the rock & roll town has been tasked with investigating the prime suspects, the members of the 27 Club – Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin and Jim Morrison. To make matters worse, a powerful angel from one of the upper levels of Heaven will soon arrive to make her ten-year inspection, a task that fills the other angels with dread since she has the power to banish anyone of them to the underworld. So, with time running out, the PI and his newly acquired sidekick, both aided by rock legends such as Eddie Cochran, Mama Cass, Kurt Cobain, Karen Carpenter and others, must quickly uncover the mystery that threatens not only to close Heaven’s doors forever, but promises to send a ripple effect through the entire universe that can rip it apart.

Enjoy the Excerpt

Plants of varying shapes and sizes sprouted everywhere, some just knee high, some as tall as mango trees. Rows of narrow pipes across the ceiling misted the foliage every minute. A few customers were sampling some of the edible flowers while others were reading manuals or informational tags about the unusual plants. Towards the back, the good PI spotted an employee who was busy pulling off the dead leaves from several botanical specimens. The clerk, he noticed, was very colorful with her psychedelic bamboo slippers, purplish pants, flowery blue and white tunic, rows of bangles on each wrist, several beaded chains around her neck, and a pink strip of cloth enmeshed in her long brown hair. As Gregory neared her, he could hear her humming along to the music playing over the virtual speakers high up in the corners of the center.

“Excuse me,” he introduced himself, “I was told Janis Joplin works back here.”

The employee turned and glanced at him. “You found her, babe.”

“Hi, Janis,” the PI introduced himself. “I’m Gregory Angelicus. And…”

“Oh, Lord,” she moaned, flinging the twigs in her hand down. “Another angel. What’d I do now?”

“Oh, no,” he stated quickly, “I’m not an angel. I just wanted to ask you a few questions.”

“About what?” she asked, eyeing the intruder with suspicion through her circular yellow sunglasses.

Gregory looked around momentarily. “Is there some place we can talk?”

“Sure,” she answered, crossing her arms. “You’re standing in it.”

About the Author: Robin Ray emigrated to the U.S. from Trinidad & Tobago at the ripe old age of 12. Already steeped in the rich culture and mysteries of his native land, it would only be a matter of time before he, too, became a musician and storyteller. After a short stint at Iowa State University, he became a nurse for practical purposes but never abandoned his musical and literary aspirations. Eventually, he did play guitar in several bands, committing himself to localized tours and album releases. Leaving the music world behind, he delved headfirst back into his second love – writing. To date, he has authored six screenplays, two novels, seven novellas, around fifty short stories and many poems. Thus far, he’s published six books – five fiction and one non-fiction, all available in paperback and e-book formats. His latest novel, Murder In Rock & Roll Heaven, can be purchased for only $0.99 at Amazon.

Website | Goodreads
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Comments

  1. Congrats on the tour and thanks for the chance to win:)

  2. Thanks for hosting!

  3. James Robert says

    Thanks so much for the excerpt and giveaway and congrats on the tour.

  4. Hello everyone. Thanks for giving “Murder In Rock & Roll Heaven” a looksee. I appreciate it immensely.

  5. Sounds like a good read.

  6. Does Marc Bolan turn up? (I guess he wasn’t in the 27 Club, technically…)

  7. Sounds like a great read.

  8. Great post, it’s always nice getting to know a little more about authors 🙂

  9. Great post

  10. Hi all. Marc Bolan does show up. He plays guitar on the third night of the Woodstock Redux Festival in a band which includes Chris Squire, Eric Carr, Keith Emerson, Jon Lord, Randy Rhoads and Tommy Bolin.

  11. What an interesting premise for a book. Congratulations on its release!

  12. James Robert says

    Happy Friday! Have a good one and thanks for the chance at winning.

  13. James Robert says

    Still praying for all in the path of Hurricane Irma. Stay safe everyone! Thank you once again for the opportunity to win.

  14. James Robert says

    Monday so soon? Have a good one and let’s all continue to pray for all affected by Hurricane Irma. Thank you once again for the opportunity to win.

  15. What is your favorite book?

  16. James Robert says

    Have a great Wednesday and thanks once again for the chance to win this giveaway.

  17. James Robert says

    Maybe it’s just me but this week sure seems to be flying by. Have a fun Thursday and thank you for working so hard to bring us this great giveaway.

  18. James Robert says

    Happy Friday! Let’s all have a great day and thanks for being so awesome and offering this giveaway to us.

  19. James Robert says

    It’s Saturday! Have fun and enjoy it and thanks for the giveaway.

  20. James Robert says

    Wishing you a wonderful Sunday and hope it’s a relaxing one for you as well. Thank you for the chance at winning this giveaway.

  21. James Robert says

    Have yourself a great Monday and start to the week. Thanks for the opportunity to win this giveaway. I appreciate you!

  22. James Robert says

    Hello! Enjoy your Tuesday and I thank you again for the chance at winning.

  23. James Robert says

    Hello! Have a fun Saturday and thank you for the opportunity to win.

  24. James Robert says

    Wishing you a blessed Sunday and thanking you for the hard work you have put into bringing us this giveaway. I do appreciate it!

  25. James Robert says

    Here we are, back to another Monday. Make it a good one and I appreciate all you do to bring us this giveaway.

  26. James Robert says

    Happy Friday! Enjoy your day and thanks for the giveaway.

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