Book Review with Ri, The Bard
by Wizzy
See how this writer has grown over the years and learns about self publishing, as she tells us about her new book Murder Inc. Wizzy
How long have you been writing creative fiction?
I have been writing fiction since I was 11 years old. I wrote a Greek myth in school. It was only suppose to be a 1 page but mine was about 10 pages.
What is your favorite fan fiction story you have written and why?
That’s hard to answer, I have written many and I have a great deal of affection for all of them. I guess I have three stories that are my most favorite.
Murder Inc, It was my first attempt at uber and I was still feeling my way in it. I really like Alex and Patty. They were characters that flowed easily from head to the paper I was writing on. Alex was sweet and vulnerable under a tough exterior and Patty was strong and brave under her shy exterior. Very special.
The Ghost series, I really adore Veba, She was one of the hardest characters I had to develop. She was so bright but her communication skills were so lacking I had hard time with the balance. I love the way she and Rickie have developed. Veba becoming more confident and Rickie becoming softer. The hardest part was the first story with Veba having a hard time communicating what she was thinking and feeling. It took me the longest time to write The Ghost. I love them very much because it was such a difficult birth.
The third would be The Time Flies series. I love Lara and Sarah. I can’t claim Lara Croft but I can say I gave her a bit more soul and depth then even the movie did. Sarah was my creation and I think she is great. It was fun writing that series because I experimented with sex and spiritualism. It was something I enjoyed writing but was nervous trying since I had never done that before. There is more coming about these two by the way
Why and when did you start writing?
I started writing for fun and because I was kind of lonely. It was intoxicating that I could do anything and create any kind of person I wanted to. I enjoyed trying to write in different styles and different type of stories. I started to write fan fiction when I was in college it was different then. I was into the original Star Trek. There were clubs and fanzines. You sold them via magazines and fan letters. I was very active in both fanzines and writing stuff for newsletters. I remember sitting in the lounge in the library at my college I was suppose to writing a midterm but I was writing a Star Trek story for a zine. I was always doing that. I was majoring in Anthropology one of the requirements I take a philosophy class. I wrote my paper on the relationship between Kirk, Spock, McCoy as Peacemaker, Parent and Child, it was a 10 page paper and I got an A. I ran into my Professor 10 years later and he remembered the paper. So when the internet came along and I discovered fan fiction on the net I latched onto it with enthusiasm. In fact my bard name came from character I created for a Star Trek story.
What story are you most proud of?
Again that is a really hard question to answer. I can only narrow it down to two,
Murder Inc, because I worked so long and hard to make it book ready. To develop the characters and make them better. I worked hard to make Alex believable and Patty not be too mushy. It was a long hard process but I am very proud of the outcome.
The other is The Ghost. I love Veba and Rickie. I am proud of them and if I can I want it to be the next book I publish. I think I have grown a lot as a writer and it shows in this story. I think that all the effort I poured into Veba has resulted in a very lovable and relatable character.
How did you lay out your story Murder Inc.?
It was first written as a serial story. I don’t pre-plot my stories I just let them flow. I always write every story long hand I don’t feel a connection to it unless I do. Then when I decided to publish I basically tore each chapter apart and put it back together adding and taking away elements. One addition to novel was the furry ball of fluff that Patty took to Alex’s mansion. I was reworking that first chapter and when I finished I wrote my beta reader and cried, “I added a cat!” Then I realized I had to figure a way to add her to the text. It’s really funny I get a lot of letters about the cat that didn’t exist before. You never know what your muse will do.
What inspired Murder Inc.?
Well it started with a movie I saw about a female assassin. I thought that was interesting concept but I didn’t like how it was done in the movie (She was too controlled by the man who ran the mob and he kills her at the end of the movie) so I thought I put it in the back burner if I ever had an idea that it would fit I would do my own idea of the concept. Then many years later I started to write a scene about a fabulous woman who hated Christmas shopping which was interrupted by gun fire. Then the female assassin idea came to me and I thought, “Hmm, What if I make Alex the head of Murder Inc., and she knew the gunman. That was the beginning of Murder Inc.
How long did it take you to complete it?
The serial story about two months, The book about 9 months. The edits about 9 more months. Getting it published, too long.
What made you decide to go with self-publishing your book?
I had bad experiences with some publishers. I also disagreed with changes other publishers wanted me to make in my original concept. I really felt that it was ready so I decided to do it myself. I am very glad.
How difficult was it to self-publish Murder Incorporated?
It wasn’t hard at all. I paid for it to be published chose my package and with in three months, it was on Barnes and Noble and Amazon. I was very excited!
Was it costly to do so?
The company I went to has several packages; it was not expensive as I thought it would be. They also give the writer a lot of control and rights. They assign someone to help you ready the book and then someone else to help you afterwards. It is pretty complete and they do all the distributing and put all the info you give them on the different sites.
Do you find it hard to self promote your book with out a publisher to help sales of Murder Inc.?
That is the hardest part for me. I am pretty shy and quiet. I don’t talk about myself a lot. I am friendly but I am not great with crowds. Anyone who met me at the Xena Con can back me on this. I do have very proud parents though. My Dad has given stuff to everyone at Blue Cross. People at different websites have been very generous and supportive like my friends at the Sandbox and I am very grateful to them. I am finding it hard to find independent book stores in my area to help me. They are disappearing around here because of the big book stores. I am plugging away though.
Where do readers find your book for sale?
Its on both Barnes and Noble and Amazon.
Will you sign their copies upon request?
Of course, I will be happy to ..... Ri, the Bard
Book Review.........................................................................
Publisher: Outskirts Press, Inc.
Barnes & Noble Sales Rank: 88,270
Murder Inc
FROM THE PUBLISHER
Alex Bennett led a double life. She was known the world over as the highly successful founder of a toy software company. But she was also the head of the infamous Murder, Inc. A situation she didn't want but felt an obligation to fulfill until she met the lovely Patty Darcy and suddenly she wanted to just be the head of Toys Inc. Now she had something to fight for. Will the love of this sweet woman help her get out from under the weight of family obligations? Will she be able to share the kind of life with Patty that she wants?
CUSTOMER REVIEWS
Number of Reviews: 3 Average Rating:
Tomber, a person who loves fan fiction, April 14, 2006,
Fantastic story!!!!
I thought this was such a good story. I loved the action and adventure but I found the characters very human. I loved how tough Alex was but under it all she was just a marshmallow. I loved watching Patty become stronger and stronger. Worth every penny.
Judie, A reviewer, March 26, 2006,
Good read
Good read, liked the characters, I've read a number of RI's short stories and it is nice to see her work in print. I hope there to see more of RI's in book form :).
A reviewer, March 23, 2006,
Romance in the mob a very different twist. The mob boss is a woman, and she's gay! Don Corleone would not approve, but the mixture of love and murder for hire makes you turn pages rapidly for the next surprise.
ACCREDITATION
Ri lives in sunny Southern California where she has spent most of her life. She was born in Garden Grove just a stones throw from Disneyland, which explains her weird imagination. At six months she started her adventure of moving all over the place. Starting in several locations in Los Angeles County then to Toledo, Ohio and Sumerset, New Jersey. She returned as a pre teen to the different locations in the San Fernando Valley, a suburb of Los Angeles.
Ri has been writing since she was a small child. She was inspired by Ray Bradbury and Agatha Christie. She loved writing but has had to make a living in a varied number of ways. She worked as an actress, a travel agent and in several forms of customer service. Her passion though has always been writing. She loves and enjoys both reading and writing fan fiction. Murder Inc is her first attempt at original fiction.
FROM AMAZON.COM
Customer Reviews:
Fantastic story! April 12, 2006
Reviewer: tomberbaby "tomberbaby" (california)
I thought this was such a good story. I loved the action and adventure but I found the characters very human. I loved how tough Alex was but under it all she was just a marshmallow. I loved watching Patty become stronger and stronger. Worth every penny!!!!!
Personal reviews from a reader off the net....
Murder Inc. - RI
Fiction / Mystery
Wow what a different kind of book. It was definitely one of RI's better ones. Once you started reading, you couldn't imagine what would happen next. Who would have ever thought that someone who owned a toy software company would also be a contract killer (even if it was handed down to her).
This is the story of Alex Bennett, a tall beautiful woman who has everything that she could ever need or want; money, cars, a double life, but finding as she is getting older, her life is perhaps a bit too exciting. She is the owner of a Toy Software Company and the head of Murder Inc. (a contract for hire company). Through a series of mishaps she meets and wants to know better a small strawberry blonde named Patty Darcy. Patty Darcy brings out something in Alex that has been dormant for a long time, her need to love and be loved. Her need to be a better person in both her eyes and in Patty's eyes. This book will have you rooting for these two women and all the while wondering if true love is possible through all the murderous odds that are put in front of them and seem to be against them.
RI has come a long way in her writings over the years. And this reader feels that she can only get better with time.
Annie Gray
anninagray@yahoo.com .
So click the following links to buy yourself a copy today!!!!!
On Amazon....
On Barns & Nobles....
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?z=y&isbn=1598002821&itm=4
May 10, 2006
Start 9169
