The author is a member of the American Crime Writers League, International Thriller Writers, Kiss of Death, Mystery Writers of America, and Sisters in Crime writing organizations. He is on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, MySpace, and CrimeSpace.
Barri, you're my first criminalist. I'm so excited to have you here. Tell us a little more about yourself.
Hi, Susan.
I'm a Pacific Northwest criminologist, crime and thriller novelist, as well as writer of young adult mysteries. I have been writing in one way or another ever since grade school, having the passion for it and drive to turn that creativity into published fiction and nonfiction. When not writing, my wife and I love to travel -- especially to Hawaii, our favorite destination away from home.
Who are your favorite authors?
There are many who fit into that category, but a few who come to mind and have been influential in one respect or another include Dashiell Hammett, Mickey Spillane, Thomas Hardy, Daphne du Maurier, Mary Higgins Clark, Thomas Thompson, and Kathleen E. Woodiwiess.
What are your writing goals, Barri?
My writing goals are (1) to reach the widest number of readers I possibly can that I can share my talents with to their utmost enjoyment, (2) to be amongst the best writers in my chosen genres, (3) to see some of my writings adapted to the silver screen or television, (4) to be a steady bestselling author, (5) to win an Edgar, Anthony, or other notable award for mystery writing, and (6) be paid commensurate to my talents on the road to financial independence.
What is your most rewarding experience during the writing process?
My most rewarding experience during the process of writing is when I get in a groove and everything is clicking and I know I've got myself a novel that readers will love!
It is also quite rewarding to reach the conclusion of a novel, where everything comes together and I am perfectly satisfied with the result.
Tell us more about Murder in Maui.
My latest book is a highly acclaimed medical mystery and police procedural original eBook, entitled, MURDER IN MAUI: A Leila Kahana Mystery.
My protagonist is Maui County homicide detective and composite sketch artist, Leila Kahana. The Hawaiian native, in following the footsteps of her grandfather who was the County of Maui police chief, and partner Detective Sergeant Blake Seymour investigate the execution-style murders of two prominent doctors in an upscale condominium on the island.
As a frequent visitor to Maui and a fan of such Hawaii based crime series as Hawaii Five-O and One West Waikiki, it inspired me to use my own criminology background and knowledge of the island to develop a mystery series.
This is the first book of series and it has gotten rave reviews from some of the top mystery and thriller writers around today.
Congratulations, Barri. Is it available in print, ebook, and Kindle formats?
MURDER IN MAUI is available in Kindle and Nook.
How do you determine voice in your writing?
This is a great question. I determine voice in my writing by taking a lot of mental notes when I am out and about among family, friends, and other people, as well as watching television, reading books; and having a keen eye for how people act, interact, and think, based upon years of coming to understand.
I use the above, along with an ability to create realistic, three-dimensional characters to establish my voice in fiction writing. This voice can vary with the character, setting, circumstances, etc.
As such, I am rather easily able to get into the minds of my characters, whether old or young, and go with it in telling the tale, keeping things moving along, and making the readers feel the voice is believable and entertaining.
After hours of intense writing, how do you unwind?
I like to unwind by watching movies and television series. I especially enjoy foreign DVD series that gives me a taste of life and living abroad, such as McLeod's Daughters, Bad Girls, Tangle, and Waterloo Road.
I also unwind by traveling often with my wife to Hawaii and other interesting places in the continental U.S. as well as Europe.
Exercising is another great way to unwind and stay fit at same time with walking, aerobics, stair climbing, and tennis my favorite forms of exercise.
I also enjoy reading for pleasure as a way to
relax and step away from the writer in me. I read mostly nonfiction and history books, thriller and literary novels.
Any current projects?
I have a number of current projects recently out or in the pipeline.
Just released in Kindle and Nook are my bestselling print legal thrillers, JUSTICE SERVED and STATE'S EVIDENCE; along with hardboiled mystery, DEAD IN THE ROSE CITY, and Jack the Ripper thriller, DARK STREETS OF WHITECHAPEL.
Also new in eBook are two young adult mysteries, GHOST GIRL IN SHADOW BAY (a haunted house mystery) and DANGER IN TIME (a time travel mystery). These are in Nook, Kindle, Google eBooks, and print.
And upcoming crime fiction and nonfiction out this summer, include Kindle and Nook eBook versions of my bestseller legal thriller, PERSUASIVE EVIDENCE, and top selling true crime book, THE SEX SLAVE MURDERS.
A mystery anthology I am editor of, MURDER HERE, MURDER THERE, which features bestselling, award winning mystery authors, will also be published this fall.
I expect to begin work later this year on the second book in my Leila Kahana Mystery series.
Wow! You're certainly prolific!
Where can folks learn more about your ebooks and events?
Readers can learn more about my titles, book signings, blogging, and other happenings at http://www.rbarriflowers.com/ as well as International Thriller Writers, Mystery Writers of America, LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, YouTube, and CrimeSpace.
I also recommend to readers that they go to Amazon or Barnes and Noble's Web sites and look me up to get information on my books and often excerpts. many of my titles can be found as well at local and college libraries.
Barri, it has been a pleasure to have you on the blog. Continued success in all endeavors!
2 comments:
I really enjoyed this Q&A, especially knowing that R. Barrie is from the Pacific Northwest and that we have much in common (location, genre, love of exercise and Hawaii).
Best wishes with your writing, Barrie.
Thanks, L.J. Hope you give MURDER IN MAUI a read. Had fun writing it and dreaming of my next visit to Maui! -- R. Barri
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