Wes Rand's Blog: Wes Rand's Ramblings

Last week I hosted the bi monthly Writer’s Meeting at Canyon Gate country club. Lynne Spreen from the Diamond Valley Writers Guild was our speaker. Lynne, a prolific writer of women's romance novels, enthralled the group with her gems of writing wisdom. 

We all learned from her talk. And what a wonderful sense of humor she has! We were lucky to have such a knowledgeable, fun speaker!

We really appreciated Lynne and her husband, Bill, making the trip from Hemet, California to speak at our meeting. 

If you live in the Las Vegas area and are interested in coming to a writer’s meeting, connect with us on Instagram and Twitter @rand.wes to stay updated on our next meeting.

Wes Rand

Inspiration for Stryker, the series protagonist, was my wanting to create a kind of super hero to fight the bad guys. Stryker has no super powers though. He is just a mean SOB and a ruthless killer. He doesn't leave 'em alive. And although he's feared by both friend and foe, for some reason even I, the author, don't fully understand why women are attracted to him. Now there's a real mystery.

I want the readers, especially those who have been wronged, or have witnessed wrongs and wished something could right the wrongs, (the criminal punished etc.) would get that with the Evil Stryker series. And the readers will be more than satisfied.

Yet Stryker is not a simple man. He's haunted by a tragic past. (I won't go into the genesis of that element). His entire life is marked by a trail of violence. And there is also complexity depth here--he's intelligent, well educated, and abides by his own moral code.

I try to bring unique, interesting characters, into Stryker's life. Some are enemies, some are friendly. Most lose their lives. There is plenty of melancholy.

Entwined with the story and the characters is the underpinning of political conservatism--so bereft in fiction today.

I hope to leave the readers thinking about the stories long after they finish the books.

Wes Rand

I am now up to 52,000 words on Christmas Slay.

Stryker's in the pictureresque town of Johnsville. The town is being terrorized by a ruthless cult led by a young and crazed gang leader. But the gang doesn't really know what ruthless is, and it just rode into Johnsville on a horse whose saddle skirt reads "Evil Stryker."

Wes Rand

Occasionally I get asked how I develop a story line. I have a general idea for a book but once I start writing, the story writes itself. I read it as it's being written. Sounds crazy but I'd bet a lot of writers are like that. That to me is what makes writing fun. To give your imagination the gift of flight is absolute freedom, and what a magnificent joy it is.

Monday November 11, is Veterans Day. One percent of the U.S. population served in the armed forces. They gave up part of their lives, some gave up their entire lives, to preserve our freedom. We don't know all of them, but we owe all of them. Remember our veterans. Thank those in uniform when you see them. Thank them all year long.

Happy Veteran's Day,
Wes Rand

I spent the weekend at my cabin writing more of The Christmas Slay. It's about eighty-seven percent finished. There is still a ways to go, but I hope to finish by Thanksgiving and then it's editing time.

For those of you who read the Evil Stryker series for Stryker's romance adventures as well as his violent gunplay, you may be happy to learn Morgan is planning a special Christmas gift for the mixed-breed when he returns to San Francisco. Her gift is not bought at the store.


Happy Holidays,
Wes Rand

Had a great meeting with the Diamond Valley Writer's Guild in Hemet, Ca. last weekend. There were 42 fellow writers there and we had a good time discussing what we all enjoy doing---writing. Lynne Spreen, the past President who just stepped down, has led the group for a number of years and she's really done a good job. The group was enthusiastic and knowledgeable. I even told them a little about Stryker.

I'm heading to the cabin in Utah today(Thursday, Oct. 31) to see what Stryker is up to.

If you're alive, live!


Wes Rand

Spent a long weekend at the cabin working hard to get The Christmas Sleigh finished before Christmas. 41,000 words written so far! Hope to get to my editor by Thanksgiving.


Senator Hearst has asked Stryker to investigate the brutal killings in Johnsville, California. But Stryker thinks killing is just fine as long as it’s the bad guys that are doing the dying.

He's met some interesting people, including Luscious Dhal, the wife of a Methodist preacher named Venard Dhal. He's also met up with Tooonug, the knife-wielding Paiute, again. Together they'll bring a new religion to town.

It's a snowy December and Stryker must ride a sleigh the last seven miles into town . . .

When coming up with my list of my five favorites books I think it is important to answer that by choosing the ones I remember best. I read a lot, mostly fiction these days. I read more non-fiction when I was younger. I had to, the non-fiction tells you what the writer knows. Fiction tells you what’s in his soul.

Here are a list of 5 fiction ones.

1. "Atlas Shrugged" by Ayn Rand.

I once read that, second only to the Bible, Atlas Shrugged has affected more people’s lives than any other book. It’s 1,300 pages long and I’ve read it 3 times. I felt refreshed and saddened each time I finished it. The writing glorifies individual freedom and achievement. It tells the story of one man’s quest to change the world, to bring us back from the black void of pervasive socialism.

2. "Far, Far the Mountain Peak" by John Masters.

What I liked about this book was the story of a man, ridiculed and scorned because of his indomitable will to win, was able to achieve (I guess there’s a pattern here). Gerry, always wants to win. People don’t like him but in the end they need him.

3. "A Farewell to Arms" by Ernest Hemingway.

Actually a near tie with For Whom The Bell Tolls, I read them both in high school. Hemingway dug deep into a man’s mind and hauled the core out in stark, hard-hitting prose.

I’m a man. He wrote like a man. I like that. I think women like it too.

4. "The Complete Short Stories" by Somerset Maugham.

I liked all his books except Of Human Bondage. Maugham tells stories exposing the human frailties and gives the reader a little unexpected twist at the end of each one. These are perfect stories to take these stories to the beach.

5. "Nine Stories" by J.D. Salinger.

These are intriguing journeys through a highly
intelligent and complex mind. Each story leaves the reader feeling as if he’s been punched, and not knowing why. You’ll be left thinking about them for a long time. Some you’ll never forget. I haven’t forgotten A Perfect Day For Bananafish.

And if you really thirst for good literature, start reading the “Evil Stryker Series”!