FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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Q. Are the characters in the Doc Ford novels based on real people? A.
Randy says the answer is “No -- with a couple of exceptions. Mack really did run our marina during the years I guided at Tarpon Bay on Sanibel. My friend, Graeme Mellor, really did live on a Morgan sailboat, NO MÁS anchored just off the docks, and Jeth-sized Nick Clements was and is one of my best friends. Some of my fishing guide friends from those years also make brief appearances, and one of my baseball pals does, indeed, share kindred similarities with Tomlinson. Other than that, all fictional.” Randy adds a word of warning: “If someone tells you one of my characters is based on them, you can be certain it’s not true. I’ve just named the only exceptions.”
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Q. Will Randy speak to our Club? A. Randy enjoys speaking, and audiences love him, but he says the hardest thing about writing now is finding uninterrupted time to write. He gives about 30 short talks a year during the spring book tour, and also schedules about five paid 30-45 minute motivational-style talks on subjects ranging from writing to travel, fishing and baseball. Speeches are booked through the Lavin Agency, Boston or by contacting me (Steve Grendon) or Iris Tanner at: Sanibelflats@yahoo.com
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Q. Will Randy donate books, restaurant gifts, fishing trips or other auction items for our charity? A. The guy receives tons requests for all of the above, and more, but he currently has a full list of charities he already supports by donating time, money and auction items. Sorry.
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Q. Will Randy read my manuscript? Will he help me get publish? A. No . . . and yes. For legal reasons, Randy cannot and will not read manuscripts. When a manuscript arrives, it goes right into the trash -- again, for legal reasons. He also will not supply you with the name of an agent (she’s not taking new clients). But he’s the most enthusiastic guy I’ve ever met when it comes to urging writers to write, and to be relentless if they want to publish. Check out his advice to writers and the writing exercises he’s created.
S.G.
Some of our favorite links!
www.docfordssanibel.com: There are two Doc Ford Rum Bar & Grilles, incredible tropical food, lots of rum and almost no waiting.
www.wendywebbmusic.com "Wendy Webb’s songs are heart sprung, tender and tough, fragile and enduring. Some are jazzy, sung with sass and echoes of Carole King and Ricky Lee Jones. Others are moody, full of wee hours wisdom, or yearning and soul stirring, soaring toward heights flown by the likes of Joni Mitchell and Emmy Lou Harris. Webb is a newcomer whose music is mined in the timeless chambers of the human heart." -- Steven Dougherty, senior writer, People Magazine
www.amazonpepper.com Randy believes his friends in Colombia make the world’s finest pepper sauce. A fascinating story of a brilliant man, Gorgio Araujo, with a love of the Amazon Valley, its chilies, and its people.
More Coming!