R.L. Herron Interview Q&A
Please feel free to use any of the suggested Q&A interview questions below (approx. 800 words, including questions). If you would like more information, or have specific questions about one of his books, please contact the author.
You’ve published eight books since 2012, received fabulous reviews and have won multiple awards. How does that make you feel?
I have to admit it feels pretty good to know critics and reviewers like them.
Eight books in less than eight years is a LOT of writing. What’s your typical writing day like?
I have lots of stories in my head. I try to write at least 1,000 words a day, but life has a funny way of telling you what you need to do at any given moment. It often doesn’t include writing at all.
How do you plan your writing?
I’m not the kind of writer who starts with an outline, if that’s what you mean. I know there are authors who plot everything out and go from Point-A to Point-B filling things in, but I don't think life is very much like that, and I just can’t work that way.
So how do you approach it?
I start by imagining a few personality traits for each one of my characters and then ask myself some basic “what if?” questions. Then I try to imagine how each character I've created will react to the hypothetical situation I posed, and let them surprise me while they tell their story.
What do you like best about the primary characters in your award-winning books?
Reviewers have said the characters become quite believable. A few have said they couldn’t wait to find out what happened to some of them, and I’m extremely pleased by that, because they were obviously seen as real people with real issues, and not characters in a book.
Are your characters based on real people?
No, not really. But it wouldn’t be fair to say there aren’t elements of people I’ve known in most of them. I think that’s true for the characters of most writers of fiction. Oh...but I do have a historic figure used as part of the story in my book BLOOD LAKE.
What’s the nicest thing anyone has said about your writing?
I’ve been fortunate to get several nice reviews, including Gold, Silver and Bronze Medals from Readers' Favorite. In several venues my books have been finalists for Book-of-the-Year. I was also delighted when Kirkus Reviews said of REICHOLD STREET and ONE WAY STREET "...the characters are bold, the plot twists surprising, and the point -- that we never fully know a person or his or her story -- heartbreakingly clear ... Skillfully written and emotionally charged.”
Was that the best review you received?
It was nice to hear, but I think the best thing that’s happened so far is having my wife say she likes the way I write.
How have you been promoting your books?
I'm involved in a lot of social media and I have a web site, these media pages and a blog. I've been a presenter on self-publishing at a local writer's conference, and I occasionally facilitate meetings of a local area writing group. Before the pandemic, I participated in book-signings at local bookstores and my hometown public library every year.
In your book, REICHOLD STREET, the dedication says it's for three people “...who didn’t come back...” and also "For Lucy, Who Believes In Me.” May we ask who they are?
Sure. The "three" were school buddies of mine who were drafted and sent to Vietnam. Sadly, they died over there...and "Lucy" is one of my nicknames for my wife, Mary Lu. She was my high school sweetheart and at the end of this June we we will celebrate our 51st wedding anniversary. She’s still my best friend, confidante and critic.
I have to admit it feels pretty good to know critics and reviewers like them.
Eight books in less than eight years is a LOT of writing. What’s your typical writing day like?
I have lots of stories in my head. I try to write at least 1,000 words a day, but life has a funny way of telling you what you need to do at any given moment. It often doesn’t include writing at all.
How do you plan your writing?
I’m not the kind of writer who starts with an outline, if that’s what you mean. I know there are authors who plot everything out and go from Point-A to Point-B filling things in, but I don't think life is very much like that, and I just can’t work that way.
So how do you approach it?
I start by imagining a few personality traits for each one of my characters and then ask myself some basic “what if?” questions. Then I try to imagine how each character I've created will react to the hypothetical situation I posed, and let them surprise me while they tell their story.
What do you like best about the primary characters in your award-winning books?
Reviewers have said the characters become quite believable. A few have said they couldn’t wait to find out what happened to some of them, and I’m extremely pleased by that, because they were obviously seen as real people with real issues, and not characters in a book.
Are your characters based on real people?
No, not really. But it wouldn’t be fair to say there aren’t elements of people I’ve known in most of them. I think that’s true for the characters of most writers of fiction. Oh...but I do have a historic figure used as part of the story in my book BLOOD LAKE.
What’s the nicest thing anyone has said about your writing?
I’ve been fortunate to get several nice reviews, including Gold, Silver and Bronze Medals from Readers' Favorite. In several venues my books have been finalists for Book-of-the-Year. I was also delighted when Kirkus Reviews said of REICHOLD STREET and ONE WAY STREET "...the characters are bold, the plot twists surprising, and the point -- that we never fully know a person or his or her story -- heartbreakingly clear ... Skillfully written and emotionally charged.”
Was that the best review you received?
It was nice to hear, but I think the best thing that’s happened so far is having my wife say she likes the way I write.
How have you been promoting your books?
I'm involved in a lot of social media and I have a web site, these media pages and a blog. I've been a presenter on self-publishing at a local writer's conference, and I occasionally facilitate meetings of a local area writing group. Before the pandemic, I participated in book-signings at local bookstores and my hometown public library every year.
In your book, REICHOLD STREET, the dedication says it's for three people “...who didn’t come back...” and also "For Lucy, Who Believes In Me.” May we ask who they are?
Sure. The "three" were school buddies of mine who were drafted and sent to Vietnam. Sadly, they died over there...and "Lucy" is one of my nicknames for my wife, Mary Lu. She was my high school sweetheart and at the end of this June we we will celebrate our 51st wedding anniversary. She’s still my best friend, confidante and critic.
Do you have anything new in the works?
Yes. I have three new stories in the works, including sequels to my novels BLOOD LAKE and DEAD END STREET. The first one, TSALI'S CURSE, should be available by the end of 2021.
Where can we purchase your books?
All of them are available on both Amazon and Barnes & Noble. You can also find out more about them on my web site www.ronaldherron.com.
Yes. I have three new stories in the works, including sequels to my novels BLOOD LAKE and DEAD END STREET. The first one, TSALI'S CURSE, should be available by the end of 2021.
Where can we purchase your books?
All of them are available on both Amazon and Barnes & Noble. You can also find out more about them on my web site www.ronaldherron.com.
Contact Info
Email Address: rlh2663@aol.com
Writing Web Site: Broken Glass
Indie Writing Blog: Painting With Light
Facebook: RLHerron
LinkedIn: Ron Herron
Email Address: rlh2663@aol.com
Writing Web Site: Broken Glass
Indie Writing Blog: Painting With Light
Facebook: RLHerron
LinkedIn: Ron Herron