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Above The Fold - December 7, 2009
RADCLIFF LANCE
Highly Talented Scribe Of
Seminal, Nonstop Action Thrillers
In Radcliff's Own Words:
"I've always been obsessed with every form of entertainment. My passion for books came later in life when I was grown and willing to learn more about everything. I began to read and wondered how I denied myself such a pleasure in my youth, a time when I lived off of cliff notes and the cute girl who sat next to me in English Literature. Soon through reading, my suppressed creative juices boiled over just as I was learning to type beyond the "hunt-and-peck" method I had utilized for almost a decade. It started as stress relief, a way to escape the daily stresses of life. Then I did what every writer does, I had an overload and started to write several different stories, but didn't finish any of them.
I grappled with an eye condition called Keratoconus for fifteen years, and finally one of the best surgeons in Denver decided it was time for me to get a new cornea. The transplant itself was an experience I could write an entire book about and probably will someday. During my recuperation period I sat in front of my laptop with an eye patch, seventeen stitches in my right cornea, and an afro (I didn't get out much) and wrote my first complete manuscript. Since then I've been a man obsessed with writing. Fortunately I trimmed down the afro and the stitches eventually came out.
Now here I am a new author in this world of masters and minions. I hope to become the former.
Work: GUN HAND -my first novel released Nov '07 is now available to the masses. I'm hard at work on my next manuscript, and I already have the outline for my third. I've written several short stories that will find their way into various publications. I work full-time and I'm happily married with two children. As you can imagine my time is spread pretty thin, but I make it work. Major Influences: Everything around me that I can hear, touch, see, or smell. I take it all in, every second of it."
To learn more about Radcliff, visit:
BOOK VIDEO TRAILER:
Hands Of The Bull
(Radcliff Lance)
Hands Of The Bull
(Radcliff Lance)
Official Apex Reviews Interview: Radcliff Lance (Hands Of The Bull)
Apex Reviews: Thanks for joining us for this interview, Radcliff. We're looking forward to sharing more about your book and other efforts with our readers.
Radcliff Lance: Thanks for having me.
AR: Please explain the significance of the book's title.
RL: The main character Ramirez is known as The Latin Bull. He’s steadfast and moves in a straight line, once on course, he cannot be stopped. The significance of his hands is explained in the story, and then there is some wordplay when certain plot points are revealed, but ultimately his enemies meet their end at the Hands of the Bull.
AR: What seminal forces from his past forged Diego into the merciless warrior that he's become?
RL: I try to touch on several throughout the story from the obvious childhood circumstances to questionable government work to the criminal world where he feels his dark soul can exist in the fog of violence.
AR: Despite his ruthlessness, Diego is not completely evil or black-hearted. How does he manage to retain his "softer" side?
RL: It’s not so much a “softer side” as it is an understanding of what he truly is. In his mind things are simple; if anything stands in his way…he eliminates it, but there are limits, not many, but a few. One of my favorite lines in the story is, “only a handful of morals keep him from being a monster.” His loyalty is unswerving, so if put on the right path he can actually do some good.
AR: Are any parts of the story based on real life experiences - particularly yours?
RL: Oh god no! Man, my family members started to worry about what was going on in my head when they read it, like if I really thought that way or something. Suddenly nobody was sitting next to me at family get-togethers. I create a character, a believable character I hope. I’m a story teller, of course you have to touch certain parts of your mind to get there sometimes, but it’s still all fiction.
AR: Is there a sequel in the works?
RL: I love Ramirez. He’s a throwback to the ultimate bad-asses from the ‘70’s and ‘80’s. I got so tired of the “everyman” scenario that has become so popular. Some professor, lawyer, or data clerk gets thrown into some extraordinary circumstance and ends up taking out a squad of terrorists and stopping a global conspiracy, mostly by accident. I like throwing a guy like Ramirez into modern scenarios and letting him loose, so yeah I believe I’ll be writing quite a few novels with him as the lead.
Reign of the Bull
Eyes of the Bull
Blood of the Bull
I think you get the theme.
AR: Our reviewer likened your writing style to Iceberg Slim and Chester Himes, two all-time urban fiction greats. Who have been some of your chief writing influences?
RL: First off, that’s an extraordinary compliment. I mean Chester Himes and Iceberg Slim were pioneers of urban fiction. The thing is, I read authors of various writing styles. Some of my favorites are Duane Swierczynski, Cassandra Clare, Robert Ferrigno, Richard Stark, and Mathew Reilly. Amazingly I don’t read a lot of urban fiction; I love crime noir and large scale thrillers. My voice falls somewhere in between.
AR: Please share more with our readers about your other writings.
RL: My next novel “Suicide Run: Love & Bullets” should be out first quarter of 2010. It was a challenge from my wife to write something romantic, so I did it my way with action and violence. Something beautiful mixed with something vicious. I can’t wait for everyone to experience it.
I only write novels, I don’t write short stories, or articles, but I do blog. Doesn’t everybody? In between novels you can keep up with me at www.radsays.blogspot.com
AR: What are your future writing/publishing aspirations?
RL: Or course, the dream is to land a traditional publishing contract, but for the time being I will continue to work independently and with small presses. Hopefully after making some noise on my own that’ll happen. In the meantime, I’ll write, write, and write some more.
AR: Where can our readers learn more about you and your ongoing efforts?
RL: They can stay current at www.radsays.blogspot.com
AR: How can they contact you directly?
RL: Same place.
AR: Any final thoughts you'd like to share?
RL: If you think you’re ready for the ride, read Hands of the Bull, you won’t be disappointed.
AR: Thanks again, Radcliff, and best of continued success to you in all your endeavors!
Apex Reviews: Thanks for joining us for this interview, Radcliff. We're looking forward to sharing more about your book and other efforts with our readers.
Radcliff Lance: Thanks for having me.
AR: Please explain the significance of the book's title.
RL: The main character Ramirez is known as The Latin Bull. He’s steadfast and moves in a straight line, once on course, he cannot be stopped. The significance of his hands is explained in the story, and then there is some wordplay when certain plot points are revealed, but ultimately his enemies meet their end at the Hands of the Bull.
AR: What seminal forces from his past forged Diego into the merciless warrior that he's become?
RL: I try to touch on several throughout the story from the obvious childhood circumstances to questionable government work to the criminal world where he feels his dark soul can exist in the fog of violence.
AR: Despite his ruthlessness, Diego is not completely evil or black-hearted. How does he manage to retain his "softer" side?
RL: It’s not so much a “softer side” as it is an understanding of what he truly is. In his mind things are simple; if anything stands in his way…he eliminates it, but there are limits, not many, but a few. One of my favorite lines in the story is, “only a handful of morals keep him from being a monster.” His loyalty is unswerving, so if put on the right path he can actually do some good.
AR: Are any parts of the story based on real life experiences - particularly yours?
RL: Oh god no! Man, my family members started to worry about what was going on in my head when they read it, like if I really thought that way or something. Suddenly nobody was sitting next to me at family get-togethers. I create a character, a believable character I hope. I’m a story teller, of course you have to touch certain parts of your mind to get there sometimes, but it’s still all fiction.
AR: Is there a sequel in the works?
RL: I love Ramirez. He’s a throwback to the ultimate bad-asses from the ‘70’s and ‘80’s. I got so tired of the “everyman” scenario that has become so popular. Some professor, lawyer, or data clerk gets thrown into some extraordinary circumstance and ends up taking out a squad of terrorists and stopping a global conspiracy, mostly by accident. I like throwing a guy like Ramirez into modern scenarios and letting him loose, so yeah I believe I’ll be writing quite a few novels with him as the lead.
Reign of the Bull
Eyes of the Bull
Blood of the Bull
I think you get the theme.
AR: Our reviewer likened your writing style to Iceberg Slim and Chester Himes, two all-time urban fiction greats. Who have been some of your chief writing influences?
RL: First off, that’s an extraordinary compliment. I mean Chester Himes and Iceberg Slim were pioneers of urban fiction. The thing is, I read authors of various writing styles. Some of my favorites are Duane Swierczynski, Cassandra Clare, Robert Ferrigno, Richard Stark, and Mathew Reilly. Amazingly I don’t read a lot of urban fiction; I love crime noir and large scale thrillers. My voice falls somewhere in between.
AR: Please share more with our readers about your other writings.
RL: My next novel “Suicide Run: Love & Bullets” should be out first quarter of 2010. It was a challenge from my wife to write something romantic, so I did it my way with action and violence. Something beautiful mixed with something vicious. I can’t wait for everyone to experience it.
I only write novels, I don’t write short stories, or articles, but I do blog. Doesn’t everybody? In between novels you can keep up with me at www.radsays.blogspot.com
AR: What are your future writing/publishing aspirations?
RL: Or course, the dream is to land a traditional publishing contract, but for the time being I will continue to work independently and with small presses. Hopefully after making some noise on my own that’ll happen. In the meantime, I’ll write, write, and write some more.
AR: Where can our readers learn more about you and your ongoing efforts?
RL: They can stay current at www.radsays.blogspot.com
AR: How can they contact you directly?
RL: Same place.
AR: Any final thoughts you'd like to share?
RL: If you think you’re ready for the ride, read Hands of the Bull, you won’t be disappointed.
AR: Thanks again, Radcliff, and best of continued success to you in all your endeavors!