R.L. Anderson's Blog, page 8
November 5, 2013
LOSE THAT HANDKERCHIEF!!!
Once upon a time in the far northwest corner of North Dakota... Uff da! Once upon a time? Now that sounds rather trite, doesn’t it? Worn out. Tired. Overused. Just plain outdated. You bet! After all, this is Twenty-First Century America. Nobody starts a story with once upon a time anymore. At least not in North Dakota.
So begins my newest novel, Let’s Make It Merry Christmas. The new Christmastime addition to the Will Nickerson Mysteries series. Dakota Ranch Park is going PC this year, turning its popular annual Christmas On The Ranch festival into a generic Winter Holidays event. All symbols of Christmas are banished from the festivities. Christmas trees, Nativity scenes, caroling–all gone. Even Santa Claus has got the boot, displaced from his North (Dakota) Pole throne by Global Claws, a silly character in a polar bear suit whose main purpose in life, it seems, is to teach kids all about the evils of global warming and indoctrinate them in pagan Earth worship. A group of disgruntled volunteers walk away, vowing to hold their own Christmas festival to restore all of our cherished Christmas traditions to the prairies. But–just as the Official Sakakawea County, North Dakota Christmas Festival Committee gears into action, a mysterious saboteur pops up at every step of the way, threatening to wreck it all. Can amateur detective Will Nickerson and the beautiful Jenine Mescall and all of the gang find the culprit and get to the bottom of it in time to save Christmas In New Oslo? Find out in this latest volume in the Will Nickerson Mysteries. It’s a very light mystery–it’s a Christmastime story–and it won’t make you cry. Lose that handkerchief! You won’t need it.
Let's Make It Merry Christmas
So begins my newest novel, Let’s Make It Merry Christmas. The new Christmastime addition to the Will Nickerson Mysteries series. Dakota Ranch Park is going PC this year, turning its popular annual Christmas On The Ranch festival into a generic Winter Holidays event. All symbols of Christmas are banished from the festivities. Christmas trees, Nativity scenes, caroling–all gone. Even Santa Claus has got the boot, displaced from his North (Dakota) Pole throne by Global Claws, a silly character in a polar bear suit whose main purpose in life, it seems, is to teach kids all about the evils of global warming and indoctrinate them in pagan Earth worship. A group of disgruntled volunteers walk away, vowing to hold their own Christmas festival to restore all of our cherished Christmas traditions to the prairies. But–just as the Official Sakakawea County, North Dakota Christmas Festival Committee gears into action, a mysterious saboteur pops up at every step of the way, threatening to wreck it all. Can amateur detective Will Nickerson and the beautiful Jenine Mescall and all of the gang find the culprit and get to the bottom of it in time to save Christmas In New Oslo? Find out in this latest volume in the Will Nickerson Mysteries. It’s a very light mystery–it’s a Christmastime story–and it won’t make you cry. Lose that handkerchief! You won’t need it.
Let's Make It Merry Christmas
October 22, 2013
BACK TO NORTH DAKOTA
For this story we return to where the Will Nickerson Mysteries began, to Dakota Ranch Park in the northwestern corner of North Dakota. The Ranch Park and the town of New Oslo are where it all takes place, and cameo appearances by some of my out-of-state characters bring them into the story as well. If you have read Ranch Park, It’s A Place For Trees and Viking It Is, you will recognize many characters. But if you haven’t read any of my previous books, don’t worry. As with all of my books in the series, this one is written in ‘stand-alone’ style, so it can be enjoyed without having read any of the others. Stay tuned...
October 17, 2013
HAPPY HOLIDAYS??? BAH HUMBUG!!!
How to write a meaningful story of Christmas without the tears? The idea came from one of my pet peeves. Namely hearing ‘Happy Holidays’ instead of ‘Merry Christmas’. Around here we don’t hear it all that much in person, but it’s in all the ads. It’s all ‘Holiday shopping’, ‘Holiday decorations’, and even ‘Holiday trees’. I have to be careful when I buy Christmas cards, too, as many of the prettiest ones say ‘Happy Holidays’ on them. I used to think that was OK. It means ‘Merry Christmas and Happy New Year’, doesn’t it? Well–not necessarily. Some cards–and some ads, too–say ‘Happy Holidays and Happy New Year’. Or something to that effect. Political correctness has reared its ugly head once again, and another one of our cherished traditions is being pushed aside. Now, anybody who knows me well knows I’m not exactly what you’d call a super-religious kind of guy. That is, in an outward, high profile sort of way. I’m not a big churchgoer or Bible reader–and there’s nothing ‘preachy’ about me in the slightest. But I like tradition, and deep inside I’m a Christian. Christian principles built America. Political correctness didn't. Christianity is a big part of our culture. It’s worth fighting for. The Birth of Christ is the Reason for the Season. And so I chose to build my new book around a pro-Christmas, pro-tradition message. Let’s Make It Merry Christmas is what it’s all about. That’s ‘Merry Christmas’, and not ‘Happy Holidays’. I’m telling the story in a lighthearted way, packed with humor–and now and then some deliberate excursions into the corny and silly. After all, laughter is a tear’s worst enemy, and I want to keep the tears away in this one. It’s a serious message at the core of the story, wrapped in a light and–hopefully–entertaining Christmastime mystery set in North Dakota, so the reader won’t feel preached at in the slightest. I’m letting my existing characters in the Will Nickerson Mysteries series tell much of the story and am including as many of them as possible, as well as a few newcomers created just for this story. Unlike my other stories, there is no murder in this one. It’s Christmas–and I wanted to keep the story free of violence and death–as well as free of tears. So the mystery to be solved is a series of sabotages that plague the Official Sakakawea County, North Dakota Christmas Festival Committee. Stay tuned as it all comes together...
Let's Make It Merry Christmas
Let's Make It Merry Christmas
October 9, 2013
CHRISTMAS IS A-COMIN'
With October now here, which means that autumn is in full swing here in the Northern Hemisphere, thoughts will soon turn to Christmas, and my new novel, number 4 in the Will Nickerson Mysteries Series, is making its debut as well. Let’s Make It Merry Christmas is my first attempt at a Christmas-related book. My first inspiration to write on the subject of Christmas came from an editorial in a newspaper two or three Christmases ago. The subject of the editorial was all the ‘classic’ Christmas films that are shown on TV each year, most of them being tearjerkers. You know the type. Weepy, sentimental–they really bring on the tears. Christmas books are much the same. I tend to stay away from Christmas books and movies just because they are ‘too sad’. And I’m sure I’m not the only one who does so. The same as with animal stories–many of which are ‘too sad’, too. And–you guessed it! I tend to stay away from those as well. So–that made me think. Why not write a Christmas-related book that’s not sad? Good idea, I said to myself. But how? First of all, just what is it that makes a sad story sad? Let’s identify all the elements that create tears. People (or maybe cutesy animals) suffering hardship in one form or another. Or maybe weepy reminiscences of Christmases long long ago. That’s what it boils down to. Poverty, illness, loneliness, a death in the family, loss of a pet or a cherished Christmas gift. Or just bringing to mind better times in the past, now long gone and irreplaceable. These things all make the tears flow profusely. There are plenty of stories on such subjects, and don’t get me wrong. I’m not knocking them. Many people enjoy that type of story. But–why not dare to be different and write something else? A tear-free story of Christmas. Something that will be unique. Something that will stand out from all the rest. But what should it be about? Stay tuned...
Let's Make It Merry Christmas
Let's Make It Merry Christmas
July 31, 2013
CALLING ALL KOBO FANS!
Calling all KOBO fans! My Will Nickerson Mysteries series is now up and running on the Canadian-based Kobo e-reading platform. Follow the link below to Ranch Park, It’s A Place For Trees and Viking It Is, and you can enjoy the mystery solving exploits of North Dakota’s amateur detective Will Nickerson on your Kobo device or Kobo reading app:
http://www.kobobooks.com/search/searc...
It was a bit more complicated and time consuming to format and edit the books for Kobo, compared to the process for Kindle and Nook, but that’s mainly because my computer is an antique and isn’t up to speed the way a newer model would be. But–uff da!–it’s done and hopefully the result will be worth the effort, as the series is now Kobo-friendly. So–if you’re a Kobo fan, download a Will Nickerson Mystery today and enjoy! And thank you to my friend and fellow Goodreads member Debbie in Kitchener, ON for telling me about Kobo, which I understand is BIG in Canada--a good market to be in, as Canadian characters and scenes set in neighboring Saskatchewan and Manitoba play important roles in my North Dakota based stories.
R.L. Anderson, author, Will Nickerson Mysteries R.L. Anderson
http://www.kobobooks.com/search/searc...
It was a bit more complicated and time consuming to format and edit the books for Kobo, compared to the process for Kindle and Nook, but that’s mainly because my computer is an antique and isn’t up to speed the way a newer model would be. But–uff da!–it’s done and hopefully the result will be worth the effort, as the series is now Kobo-friendly. So–if you’re a Kobo fan, download a Will Nickerson Mystery today and enjoy! And thank you to my friend and fellow Goodreads member Debbie in Kitchener, ON for telling me about Kobo, which I understand is BIG in Canada--a good market to be in, as Canadian characters and scenes set in neighboring Saskatchewan and Manitoba play important roles in my North Dakota based stories.
R.L. Anderson, author, Will Nickerson Mysteries R.L. Anderson
April 24, 2013
ANYBODY REMEMBER THE RURAL PURGE??
Anybody remember the Rural Purge?
Hey–Will Nickerson here. I’m the guy with the office supply store in New Oslo, who’s always playing the amateur detective in R. L. Anderson’s novels. R.L turned his blog over to me today so I can tell you about an old mystery that cropped up the other day. Who murdered the country sitcoms? Now I’ve never been a big fan of TV sitcoms, to be honest; but the other night my mother was watching some old reruns of the Andy Griffith Show, which she tells me was her favorite TV show in the 1960s. And as I sat down to watch with her, I had to admit, yes, this is pretty good. And so are the other reruns I’ve seen now and then of that era. Green Acres, Petticoat Junction, Gomer Pyle and the Beverly Hillbillies. They’re so different from sitcoms as we know them today. So–the BIG mystery is what happened? Why did they change so much? Was it a deliberate plot? Was there a motive? I kicked into detective mode and started Googling on my computer–and UFF DA! There it was. THE RURAL PURGE. The culprits were a screwball broadcasting CEO and a bunch of screwball advertisers who came up with the notion sometime around the late 1960s or so that country wasn’t cool. All the money was in the big city–so all rural or small town themed TV sitcoms were banished from the airwaves and replaced by more ‘sophisticated’ urban fare. Now, I can see that city folks need their kind of entertainment–all those folks who don’t know the difference between a horse and a tractor. And I heard once at the Ranch Park that some of them even think both male and female cows give milk. But wasn’t it going a bit too far to take ALL the rural shows off? You bet it was. The entertainment industry should offer something for everyone. Even for us out here in North Dakota. Country IS cool, Mr. CEO. And it’s back. Look how big country music is. Bigger than rock in many places. Rural TV is back, too–on cable, where those great old reruns are still going strong and finding new fans like me, who weren’t around to see them the first time around. Also country has found its way into modern formats, like my favorite, History’s reality series American Pickers. Next time I’m in the bank, I’ll have to ask Crashy Christy if she watches that–seems like something she’d enjoy. Not Jenine, though. Definitely not Jenine. She’s a Florida girl and really goes for all the big city stuff. UFF DA! Speaking of Jenine, I better go. I’m meeting her for dinner at the Taste of Norway–‘fact I’m already late. So, back to you, R.L...
It’s R.L. Anderson back in the driver’s seat. Thanks, Will. I couldn’t have said it better myself. But who needs TV, anyway? This is Goodreads, and we’re here to READ. So–for more of Will and the gang–and a little Rural UN-Purge–literary style–turn off that TV and grab a copy of Ranch Park, It’s A Place For Trees or Viking It Is–or download a copy on your Kindle or Nook and get hooked on the Will Nickerson Mysteries. These links will show you the way–and you’ll see that country mysteries really are cool...
Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_nos...
Nook:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/Will-...
Hey–Will Nickerson here. I’m the guy with the office supply store in New Oslo, who’s always playing the amateur detective in R. L. Anderson’s novels. R.L turned his blog over to me today so I can tell you about an old mystery that cropped up the other day. Who murdered the country sitcoms? Now I’ve never been a big fan of TV sitcoms, to be honest; but the other night my mother was watching some old reruns of the Andy Griffith Show, which she tells me was her favorite TV show in the 1960s. And as I sat down to watch with her, I had to admit, yes, this is pretty good. And so are the other reruns I’ve seen now and then of that era. Green Acres, Petticoat Junction, Gomer Pyle and the Beverly Hillbillies. They’re so different from sitcoms as we know them today. So–the BIG mystery is what happened? Why did they change so much? Was it a deliberate plot? Was there a motive? I kicked into detective mode and started Googling on my computer–and UFF DA! There it was. THE RURAL PURGE. The culprits were a screwball broadcasting CEO and a bunch of screwball advertisers who came up with the notion sometime around the late 1960s or so that country wasn’t cool. All the money was in the big city–so all rural or small town themed TV sitcoms were banished from the airwaves and replaced by more ‘sophisticated’ urban fare. Now, I can see that city folks need their kind of entertainment–all those folks who don’t know the difference between a horse and a tractor. And I heard once at the Ranch Park that some of them even think both male and female cows give milk. But wasn’t it going a bit too far to take ALL the rural shows off? You bet it was. The entertainment industry should offer something for everyone. Even for us out here in North Dakota. Country IS cool, Mr. CEO. And it’s back. Look how big country music is. Bigger than rock in many places. Rural TV is back, too–on cable, where those great old reruns are still going strong and finding new fans like me, who weren’t around to see them the first time around. Also country has found its way into modern formats, like my favorite, History’s reality series American Pickers. Next time I’m in the bank, I’ll have to ask Crashy Christy if she watches that–seems like something she’d enjoy. Not Jenine, though. Definitely not Jenine. She’s a Florida girl and really goes for all the big city stuff. UFF DA! Speaking of Jenine, I better go. I’m meeting her for dinner at the Taste of Norway–‘fact I’m already late. So, back to you, R.L...
It’s R.L. Anderson back in the driver’s seat. Thanks, Will. I couldn’t have said it better myself. But who needs TV, anyway? This is Goodreads, and we’re here to READ. So–for more of Will and the gang–and a little Rural UN-Purge–literary style–turn off that TV and grab a copy of Ranch Park, It’s A Place For Trees or Viking It Is–or download a copy on your Kindle or Nook and get hooked on the Will Nickerson Mysteries. These links will show you the way–and you’ll see that country mysteries really are cool...
Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_nos...
Nook:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/Will-...
February 25, 2013
VIKING IT IS IN PRINT
WELCOME TO NEW OSLO, NORTH DAKOTA. A small city on the prairies that takes pride in its Norwegian heritage. As you come into town, you'll be welcomed by the huge, whimsical statue of Oslo Olof the Viking standing proudly at the corner of Main Street and Dakota Avenue. Stop in for lunch at the Taste of Norway Family Restaurant or browse for authentic Norwegian gifts at Norske Knickknacks (nothing made in China here!). Or take in Haakonson Horsepower Museum to see every kind of horse-drawn vehicle ever made. (Well--almost!) The local Historical Society is digging for relics that might prove that Vikings made it all the way to the center of the continent in Medieval times. And now a stranger has come to town and vanished without a trace, leaving behind a vintage car and an unused motel room. Is there a connection to the archaeological dig? Has this enigmatic and obnoxious visitor been murdered? Or what? It's up to North Dakota's amateur detective Will Nickerson to find the answer, along with a host of townsfolk and intriguing visitors to the community, including a beautiful traveling saleswoman from Montana, an Australian couple, a pesky cousin from Pennsylvania and a Canada-bound family from Iowa.
Viking It Is, by R.L. Anderson.
In Kindle and Nook editions and now in print for the first time at:
https://www.createspace.com/4162150
Soon to be available on the main Amazon.com site.
Viking It Is, by R.L. Anderson.
In Kindle and Nook editions and now in print for the first time at:
https://www.createspace.com/4162150
Soon to be available on the main Amazon.com site.
February 15, 2013
IN PRINT!!
As mentioned in my previous blog, my first 2 novels, Ranch Park and It's A Place For Trees, are now available in printed versions, which may be ordered from Amazon.com or Createspace.com. Check out the following links:
https://www.createspace.com/4133434
https://www.createspace.com/4149496
They're oversized, 6x9 paperbacks and really look great! The Createspace team did an awesome job, and I would recommend them for any self publishing author to break into print. Since Createspace is a division of Amazon, you can be assured that you are dealing with a reputable company. Printing is done on an "on-demand" basis. That is, when a buyer orders a book, it is printed and shipped out right away. I've found that delivery is much quicker than they tell you when you order. My third novel, Viking It Is, will be coming to print soon...
Stay tuned...
https://www.createspace.com/4133434
https://www.createspace.com/4149496
They're oversized, 6x9 paperbacks and really look great! The Createspace team did an awesome job, and I would recommend them for any self publishing author to break into print. Since Createspace is a division of Amazon, you can be assured that you are dealing with a reputable company. Printing is done on an "on-demand" basis. That is, when a buyer orders a book, it is printed and shipped out right away. I've found that delivery is much quicker than they tell you when you order. My third novel, Viking It Is, will be coming to print soon...
Stay tuned...
January 17, 2013
COMING TO PRINT SOON!!!
In response to everyone who has said they'd like to read my books IF ONLY they were available as regular printed books and not just Kindle and Nook e-book versions, I will soon be releasing PRINTED
versions of Ranch Park, It's A Place For Trees and Viking It Is. Ranch Park is now in the proof stage and should be ready to purchase soon. This is all new to me, so I can't give an exact timetable as of yet. They will be printed by CreateSpace, an Amazon company and will be sold through Amazon.com as 6x9 oversized quality paperbacks. I anticipate the price of a printed edition of Ranch Park will be 12.99 US. I will post another blog once the printed version of Ranch Park is up and running.
R. L. Anderson, Author
versions of Ranch Park, It's A Place For Trees and Viking It Is. Ranch Park is now in the proof stage and should be ready to purchase soon. This is all new to me, so I can't give an exact timetable as of yet. They will be printed by CreateSpace, an Amazon company and will be sold through Amazon.com as 6x9 oversized quality paperbacks. I anticipate the price of a printed edition of Ranch Park will be 12.99 US. I will post another blog once the printed version of Ranch Park is up and running.
R. L. Anderson, Author
November 30, 2012
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!
Tis the season for writing a Christmas-related novel!! Yes, my fourth novel is to be a little Christmas break for Will and the gang in the Will Nickerson Mysteries series as they deck the halls of New Oslo, North Dakota for the state's biggest ever Christmas festival. All is going well for their preparations except that an unknown saboteur is lurking somewhere in the shadows, trying to wreck it all and giving Will & Co. a new kind of mystery to solve. My goal is to write a Christmas-related story that's not a tearjerker, as so many Christmas stories tend to be, and yet to tell a story that's meaningful as well as entertaining. If you're like me and tend to stay away from Christmas stories because they're too sad, this one will be for you. You'll be able to leave your handkerchief locked away in the drawer, as you won't need it! Sorry it won't be ready for this Christmas 2012, but look for it coming online next September, in plenty of time for Christmas 2013. This is a great time to be working on it with Christmas preparations in full swing and the magic of this beautiful season in the air. And to all of my readers, have a very Merry Christmas!
