Ask the Author: Randall J. Funk
Answered Questions (7)
Randall J. Funk
I always like to read the latest Janet Evanovich Stephanie Plum book in the summertime. I will DEFINITELY be reading the new Dennis Lehane. There's a children's mystery story I've got rolling around in my head, so I'm going to revisit some of the classics (Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, Three Investigators) for research. I'm willing to take suggestions as well.
Randall J. Funk
Well, I've borrowed (sometimes shamelessly) from things that have happened to my friends and family, but I've usually done it with malice aforethought. I DID come across something that may have been inspired by a movie. Without spoiling anything, one of the plotlines in Death Lives Across The Hall is Joe's participation in the All-City Touch Football Tournament. His friend Mike is the key player on his team, not because he's skilled but because he plays so dirty, he intimidates the other team. I recently taped a podcast for a friend of mine in which we discuss "guilty pleasure" movies. Mine was Porky's Revenge. One of the plotlines in that movie revolves around the main characters needing their friend Meat to remain eligible for the basketball team's appearance in the state finals. Meat is the key player not because he's skilled, but because he plays so dirty, he intimidates the other team. When re-watching the movie, I thought, "Oh my God, is THAT where I got the Mike storyline from? Has that been buried in my subconscious for 30 years?" I guess I can't say for sure. I confirm nothing and deny everything.
Randall J. Funk
I don't have a specific mystery, but some elements of my books have been taken from my everyday life. The plot of Death Lives Across The Hall, for example, came from one particularly nasty conflict I had with a neighbor (I freely admit that I never have been and never will be a good apartment dweller.) Something I said in passing about the neighbor was taken to be threatening (it was absolutely NOT intended to be so.) I later said to my wife, "You realize if anything DOES happen to her, though, I'll be suspect number one?" And there was the germ of the idea for Death Lives Across The Hall.
Also, there's the mystery of how I constantly write up very detailed grocery lists...and then forget to bring them to the grocery store. If anyone can solve that for me, I'd really appreciate it.
Also, there's the mystery of how I constantly write up very detailed grocery lists...and then forget to bring them to the grocery store. If anyone can solve that for me, I'd really appreciate it.
Randall J. Funk
Hmm...I might be influenced by the movies here, but I just read The Thin Man a few months ago and I wish Hammett had written more Nick and Nora Charles stories. While the movies certainly did their part to flesh out the characters' relationship, I would have liked to see what Hammet would have done with further novels.
Randall J. Funk
I'm working on the third Joe Davis book, Death Wears A Big Hat. Looking to have it out this summer.
Randall J. Funk
I wake up and start the day. If you sit around waiting to be inspired, you'll find you do a lot more sitting around than actual writing.
Randall J. Funk
It came out of a disagreement I had with a former landlord (NOT going to go into the story here.) Things got to a very ugly point and I made a comment to my wife, saying, "I hope nothing happens to her. Because after all of this, I'd be the first person the cops would come looking for." And so it began...
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more