Tales of Wonder: The Saga of Stickitville received a 4+ star review, making it an IndieReader Approved title.
Following find an interview with author Richard R. Wyly.
What is the name of the book and when was it published?
Tales of Wonder: The Saga of Stickitville, published in 2019.
What’s the book’s first line?
“Getting a sense of who, what and where is really important in setting up this very significant literary experience, which I am submitting to all of you enlightened readers.”
What’s the book about? Give us the “pitch”.
My book is a fictional comedy set in Stickitville, a small town in a lovely valley called Gray Lakes. The local residents more or less all know each other and interact with their neighbors, who live on the other side of the mountain in a hamlet known as Old Laffinatcha Meadows. The two communities are both friends and foes, depending on what time of the year it is. Both towns have their fair share of nutball characters to liven up any given day, especially during the holidays, when it’s festival time. A very special plant grows in both valleys, called the yucca. When it’s in full bloom, the blossoms and bulbs begin to burst and explode their “dust” into the air, which has a profound effect on what takes place during the summer season. Lots of grinning, as you might imagine. It’s party time, with two to three weeks of parades, barbecue cook-off contests, a battle of the bands and rodeos. There is plenty of fast-paced action, and the participants are outrageous at times. Following their zany adventures provides lots of laughs! (Just ask Maynard.)
What inspired you to write the book? A particular person? An event?
A friend of mine, who was in the clothing business at the same time as I was, used to share original-only jokes back and forth with me, and we had a lot of chuckles. It was a game. One day he wrote me and said I should try and write comedy-based stories and see what might happen. I took him up on it.
What’s the main reason someone should really read this book?
The writing is entertaining, funny and original and uses historical references to create humor. The book includes a multitude of silly concepts, poking fun at celebrities, politicians and traditional social nonsense.
What’s the most distinctive thing about the main character? Who — real or fictional — would you say the character reminds you of?
Our Hero Billy, leader of the Cardoza Playboys, always shows strong leadership, with a heart as big as a dragon’s, and is smart beyond belief. He reminds me, and probably many others, of actor Tommy Lee Jones.
If they made your book into a movie, who would you like to see play the main character?
Tommy Lee Jones.
When did you first decide to become an author?
2017.
Is this the first book you’ve written?
It is — does it show?
What do you do for work when you’re not writing?
Sort of retired — kinda maybe.
How much time do you generally spend on your writing?
It varies, but I try and write for a few hours every day now, all under my banner, Tales of Wonder, as I’m finishing up my second book, Gracie and the Wacky Bunch.
What’s the best and the hardest part of being an indie?
Learning how to make my computer do the right thing when I ask it to. Knowing full well it’s my fault. Grrrrr!
What’s a great piece of advice that you can share with fellow indie authors?
Don’t give up, ever ever ever. I lean on my mate. I’m not proud.
Would you go traditional if a publisher came calling? If so, why?
I actually don’t know. It would depend on the deal and the publisher.
Is there something in particular that motivates you (fame? fortune?)
Well, mostly it’s the satisfaction of completion. A little fortune couldn’t hurt!!
Which writer, living or dead, do you most admire?
Several: Tom Robbins, Larry McMurtry, Judy Blume, Sidney Sheldon and finally James A. Michener.
Which book do you wish you could have written?
The Bible — I could straighten that right out. What? …Lightning? …Where? Yikes. I’m outta here.