Good morning, Ron. Tell us a little about yourself and how you came to join NTRWA?

I joined NTRWA in April of 2005 with my wife, Kim. She was the one who did the research and picked NTRWA.  I had three manuscripts collecting dust and had not written for six years because of a bad experience with a publisher. Kim had always been interested in writing and this was an opportunity to do something fun together. We joined RWA in April and attended the Conference in Reno.

I see from your resume you went to college in Oklahoma.  Were you born and raised there?

I was born and raised in Hugo, Oklahoma. I was in a select group of high school students in the nation who worked on state of the art computers. The one I programmed on was at the University of Oklahoma (This was in the old Punch Card days.) I turned down an appointment to West Point, the U.S. Military Academy. My Dad was a funeral director and the mayor. He was very active in politics, statewide and nationally. My Grandfather on my mother's side was from New York and was a Colonel under Patton in WWII.

I attended Oklahoma University, in Norman, Oklahoma, majoring in engineering. I took a break for U.S. Government Service, got married, had two children and completed my B.S. degree in Accounting with a minor in Economics and Chemistry at S.E. Oklahoma State in 1969.

Your background is fascinating. I'm surprised you're not writing military thrillers.  Have you thought about writing one of those? Didn't you recently submit a manuscript to someone in NY?  Have you heard anything yet? 

My Paranormal Suspense deals primarily with the military, going from the Waffin (the SS in WWII) to Vietnam to today.  I added the romance later to qualify it for the romance category. It is the one I recently submitted. I submitted it to get a quick rejection in order to get PRO Status and Agent/Editor interviews in Atlanta. So, it was the one that was rejected and got me my PRO Pin. My current work, Out of the Dark (a Paranormal Romantic Suspense set in Wise County), I just entered in the Dorchester Publishing American Title III Contest. 

I have four completed manuscripts:  a Western - Boots of Silver, a Science Fiction - Dim Red Star, a Paranormal Romance - Obedience Unto Death, and a Paranormal Romantic Suspense - Out of the Dark. I have approximately 20 outlines and 10 partial manuscripts to the side for one reason or another. 

Why did you start writing romance?

I started writing romance because it sells, and because of the RWA organization that gives the Romance Writer's clout and a voice.  Writers in Suspense and Military Fiction don't have that strong of a voice. While all of my books have a romantic element, I found that the male and female leads are supposed to be introduced in the first chapter with some conflict, etc. In some of my earlier manuscripts, it might have been the fourth chapter before they both were introduced.

Where did you meet your wife, Kim?

I originally met Kim when she worked for Tarrant County. She was married, I was married, there was an attraction. We lost touch. In 2003, after I was divorced, I saw her online. We corresponded in May of 2003 and married in May of 2004.

How long have you been writing?

I've been writing on professional subjects since 1965.  I have been writing the Fun Stuff -fiction - since 1980 when I wrote a western in 90 days to enter a contest. From a serious writing stand point, only since 1994.

What is your greatest challenge as a writer?

My greatest challenge as a writer is editing and revisions. I let it sit for a couple of days, go back and read it and YUCK.  Or if I like something I wrote, I think "Did I write that?"  I also have a problem putting “fluff” in a story. I also have a problem making my stories too complex so that the plot overshadows the characters.

What accomplishment are you most proud of?

Writing: Being published in the San Antonio Business Journal and the HFMA National Journal and having completed four manuscripts. Personally: Four children (one is my stepson) and 14 grandchildren. Professionally: My expert witness work.

Is there anything you'd like to share with our members that I haven't asked?

One thing I have found is a lot of times Romance writers do not understand firearms, their use and proper terms.  If anyone in our group has a problem picking the correct modern firearm, say from 1935 forward, I would offer my services in assisting them in getting it correct or in directing them to where the information can be obtained. They can email me with their questions and how the firearm is to be used in their story.