Humorous writer Rick Glaze chats with me about his new satirical novel, Ralph & Murray.
Welcome, Rick. Please tell us a little bit about yourself.
I stepped up to embrace my heritage as a Southerner and a Southern Writer with the publication of Ralph & Murray, a tale of growing up in a small southern town in the late 1950s and narrated by my precocious dog, Ralph, and his feline friend, Murray. When I’m not whitewater rafting down the Grand Canyon or sailing around the Caribbean Islands, I live in Nashville, Tennessee where I paint portraits in my home studio and write and perform country music. I’ve released two albums, songs from which have been played and featured on Country Music Television (CMT), BBC Radio, as well as radio airplay. I attended the Stanford University Creative Writing Program and hold an MFA in studio Art from the Maryland Institute College of Art. My previous published work includes The Purple River, a novel set during a whitewater rafting trip, Spanish Pieces of Eight, a mystery set in the sailing world, and the humor and satire of Ralph & Murray, as well as a short story collection, and a weekly column in Silicon Valley.
Please tell us about your current release.
In the quaint backdrop of a small southern town, circa 1959, an extraordinary tale unfolds through the charming narration of an unlikely storyteller – Ralph, a spirited four-legged companion with a knack for punchy humor.
Amidst a world where most dogs merely wag their tails and feline neighbors purr quietly, Ralph and his witty counterpart, Murray, emerge as remarkable exceptions, gifted with extraordinary abilities.
As they traverse the idyllic landscapes of their hometown, encountering ghosts, hobos, and even the iconic twist dance craze spearheaded by Chubby Checker himself, Ralph and Murray’s adventures take on a whimsical, yet deeply resonant quality.
Through their escapades, readers are treated to a delightful journey brimming with empathy, kindness, and compassion, serving as a poignant reminder of the power of standing up for others.
From unraveling the mysteries of why pencils have erasers to discovering who might have alligators for lunch, Ralph and Murray weave a tapestry of nostalgia from a bygone era with heartwarming humor and infectious charm.
Readers of all ages are invited to immerse themselves in a world where the bonds of friendship and the beauty of diversity reign supreme, leaving behind a trail of laughter, wisdom, and unforgettable memories.
What inspired you to write this book?
Upon learning that a new granddaughter was on the way, I thought about writing a memoir with nuggets of my life from the past that she would never experience in modern times. I’m not sure how it happened, but my dog Ralph decided he would tell some of his stories about growing up alongside me. Ralph took over the book and told his stories in his laugh-out-loud style, and I guess I just let it happen.
Excerpt from Ralph & Murray:
“Uncle Buck is in a blue and white urn on the mantel. They all got dressed up about five years ago, Mom was crying, Dad was stoned faced and Jimmy was staring out the window. When they got back, they put the urn on the mantel and it’s been there ever since. Mom spent all day saying how nice the service was, and Dad said something about a funeral, but I can’t figure out what a funeral means,” Murray said.
“Does Uncle Buck talk or say anything?” I asked.
“Nothing yet. I thought about getting a little closer to his urn, but the jump to the mantel is a little dicey and if I don’t hit it just right, Uncle Buck could be splattered all over the floor. And besides I might hit Muffy.”
“Wait a minute; who’s Muffy?” I said.
“He’s the cat they had before me. He’s in a little jar next to Uncle Buck.”
What exciting project are you working on next?
I’m formulating the next Ralph & Murray story. The working title is, Ralph & Murray: The Parrot, The Poison, and The Ghost. It’ll be a mystery with a prominent character and ghost named Neptune.
The next release is the second book in the Pieces of Eight series. It’s a treasure hunt in and around Nashville in the massive limestone cave system.
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I was sixteen and driving around my little town, which is the setting for “Ralph & Murray,” and my gaze focused on an old, averaging-looking frame house. I then had a Walter Mitty fantasy experience and dreamed up an entire scenario about the house and everybody in it. I remember saying to myself, “That would be fun. Wait till you’re ready.” I got started writing newspaper articles for business and after taking writing classes at Stanford for a couple of years, I cranked put my first novel.
Do you write full-time? If so, what’s your workday like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?
I write full time now, but my first book was written after work in the evenings and weekends. When I’m writing a manuscript, my goal is to sit in front of the computer first thing in the morning for three to four hours. When a book is published, there is a lot of time spent with readings, interviews and so on. But make no mistake, I’m in this for the writing.
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I wouldn’t say I’m too quirky, unless you call having the dog and cat narrate my last book quirky.
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I had no idea at the time.
Anything additional you want to share with the readers?
I had a ball writing Ralph & Murray laughing out loud with every chapter. Most people get a big kick from it and many like to thumb through and re-read their favorite chapters. I hope you’ll love it too.
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