Chapter Member
Spotlight Profile
October 1999
Chapter MemberSpotlight Profile
October 1999
Ron Armstrong
Ron Armstrong's moniker here in SinC-IC is "bonedoc." By his own choice. Why? Well, because he is pursuing a career in forensic archaeology. This he does while funding everyday life by working as a web wonk. Today, writing is a serious hobby, squeezed in when possible, but his dream is to be a full time writer some day. Meanwhile, he'll make web pages, dig up up bones, and imagine. You may be surprised at what it is he writes in those spare moments grabbed from whenever. Read on and find out. His may be one of the books you read in the future.
IC
When did you first develop an interest in mystery or crime novels?
Ron
My foray into the field of mystery was sparked by television, actually. Columbo, MacCloud, Streets of San Francisco, Hitchcock... stuff like that. I read a few Hardy Boys (Franklin W. Dixon) books as a youngster, but wasn't much taken with them, but I did love the Encyclopedia Brown (Donald J. Sobol) mysteries.
IC
What was your favorite book as a child?
Ron
The Last of the Really Great Wangdoodles by Julie Andrews.
IC
What was your least favorite course in college?
Ron
I may have least favorite professors, but I love to learn. I'm still in school and working towards a PhD, and I expect to find it all fascinating. Even statistics (yuck).
IC
Has your profession made you a workaholic?
Ron
I used to be a workaholic, then I got married. Day job (as a computer programer) aside, I'm torn between wanting to write and spending time with my wife. At least she helps me do research.
IC
What prompted your interest in Sisters in Crime?
Ron
I am a firm believer that women are not given their due share of exposure and I am ready to help promote women's causes whenever I can. The stories I am working on currently are centered around strong female protagonists. But don't get me started there...
IC
What would you do if starving and presented with a plate of cooked snails (local pond variety), snake, and gopher?
Ron
Swallow the snails as fast as possible, skin and eat the snake (kind of like chicken) and have a tea party with the gopher. Oh, and save the bones for my collection. :)
IC
Tell us what your PhD will be in.
Ron
I am currently finishing my Master's in Forensic Science, having all but the thesis completed, and I am applying for a PhD program in Anthropology where I plan to study the archaeology of Oaxaca, Mexico.
IC
What or whose bones do you currently have in your collection? They aren't in big drums, are they?
Ron
It's a little collection. Coyote ribs, a cat skull, several vertebrae of various animals, a few long bones, all fragments. The jewel in my collection is Fred, a monkey skull I brought back from India that has a tiger's tooth impression in it.
IC
Do you think Fred got away?
Ron
No he didn't. He has a canine sized perforation in his cranium.
IC
So, what type of fiction do you read?
Ron
Stuff with forensics, like Thomas Harris, Patricia Cornwell, Ridley Pearson. I like Grisham but have only read one novel. I'm trying to work on classics that I never got into as a youngster. Hemingway's Old Man and The Sea is my absolute favorite.
IC
How would you characterize your fiction?
Ron
A painful expression of love, passion, and constraint. Good ideas keep coming, but instead of coalescing into one good story they fragment into several. But I shall persevere.
IC
When you write fiction, do you have an idea already in mind when you start or does it evolve as you write?
Ron
I'm a plotter. Got to know where it's going from beginning to end.
IC
Your wife helps in your research, eh? Have you thought about becoming a writing team?
Ron
She's very timid, but she is taking a college writing course and I may have more luck convincing her after this semester. She has great ideas and an interesting take on the world. We love being together and writing is a great way to work together. But first that Master's thesis.
IC
What area would you like to work in once you get your PhD?
Ron
Research and writing. My academic pursuits are for personal benefit. I'd like to be a writer full time one day.
IC
When did you first know you wanted to write fiction?
Ron
Actually, not until two years ago. I have been writing plays, songs, poems, sonnets, screenplays, and other such literature for years but never considered books until I had a long hard look at my life a few years back. It took a few months, but I realized that writing and being creative are what pleases me the most, so now I'm giving it my all.
IC
Has any of your fiction been published?
Ron
No published fiction. But I did publish a non-fiction piece on forensics.
IC
When you are online, where do you spend most of your time?
Ron
I'm a computer programmer, and a web developer at that, so I am online dozens of times daily. I read MSNBC (my home page), sites on programming, writing (romance, mystery, general), and GO.COM for whatever information needs I have, such as planning my vacation.
IC
You mentioned your writing revolves around strong female characters. Strong in what way?
Ron
Able to take on any challenge that faces them. They have their soft sides, but women aren't given enough credit for the inner strength that it takes to survive in this world. I like to bring that instinct to the surface.
IC
Do you think author web sites are effective in promoting their books?
Ron
Being a web developer for a living, I have to say that, yes, they are helpful. However, they are only useful if marketed right. You can fill them with a lot of information, like the Patricia Cornwell site has, and really leave the viewer satisfied, or it can be as stark as the Thomas Harris site which on the surface looks good, but lacks any real substance. And the site needs to be advertised so people know it's there, otherwise you have a black hole in cyberspace.
IC
Would you read an e-book and if so, what form do you think would do such a book justice? (downloadable text, rocketbook, ....)
Ron
Maybe. I'm pretty addicted to a hard cover, bound book. I love paper. Maybe if I had a better printer and some sort of binder. I would not read a book at my monitor nor off a laptop. I like to curl up into my bed and read.
IC
Many writers get down with lack of success, especially in the early years. What keeps you going?
Ron
I'm still a neophyte in this business. I've submitted one article and it was accepted. I look at the publishing world as a business venture. I write because I hope to make a living at it some day, and there are guidelines and rules to follow to get published. It all starts with good work, but a sale can be based upon a well written cover letter. I know there will be rejections. I just plan to resubmit to somebody else until it clicks. Of course, rewrites with good suggestions are never out of the question.It all comes down to perseverance. If I think my writing is good (which it better be or I've chosen the wrong field to put my life's energy into) then I will find a home for my work. I am not above tailoring my writing to fit a certain niche or style if I know it exists and I can make a good contact.
IC
What is your least favorite word?
Ron
Kudos.
IC
What is your favorite word?
Ron
Concomitant.
IC
What's your closing thought for us, the members, and the world?
Ron
The only constant is change. As you write, go with the flow. If you have good material, people will notice and you will get published.
My thanks to Ron for squeezing out time for us.
This interview was conducted during the month of September by Louise Guardino for SinC-IC.
bonedoc@sinc-ic.org spot@sinc-ic.org
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