In the world of literature, stories often emerge from unexpected places, and for author Rich, it all began at a pivotal moment in his life. After years of serving in the military and navigating the complexities of life, Rich discovered a newfound passion for reading and writing in his fifties. This journey not only transformed him into an author but also ignited a creative spark that would lead to the birth of captivating characters and intricate plots. In this interview, we delve into Rich’s inspiring journey from a reluctant reader to a prolific writer, exploring the influences that have shaped his work, the vibrant characters that populate his novels, and the meticulous research that underlies his storytelling. Join us as we uncover the motivations behind his writing process and the exciting projects on the horizon, providing a glimpse into the mind of a writer who has embraced his calling later in life.
But First, who is Rich Blecher?
Rich Blecher grew up with ADHD before it was a known term. He struggled with reading and writing, but his imagination could be described at times as unimaginable. At one point in his life, he realized he could channelize his random thoughts into a linear path, allowing a story to be unfolded as fast as he could type. Xima was his first published book and with his yearn to learn and imagine more, he developed Jenna Slade based on his daughter’s best friend’s personality who he greatly admired. He continues to write and explore multiple genres.
Rich Blecher’s Books
- Could you share your journey from discovering a love for reading later in life to becoming an author? What inspired you to start writing?
A: Rich had always been proud of his vivid imagination—the way he could picture entire scenes in his mind had served him well throughout his military career. From a young age, he had worked tirelessly, beginning at just ten years old, and he never liked reading for fun. But at fifty, he suddenly found himself at a crossroads, unemployed and uncertain about what came next. His son wanted to help lift his spirits and review sci-fi books together.
One morning, with a warm cup of coffee in hand, he sat down, opened his laptop, and began to type. Without hesitation, the story of Xima began to unfold. The words flowed effortlessly, his fingers flying across the keyboard—he was grateful for that high school typing class that had gifted him the ability to type 75 words per minute. Even then, his thoughts raced ahead, faster than his hands could keep up.
Each day, he poured 3,000 to 5,000 words onto the page, allowing the story to take shape, guiding him on an unexpected adventure. He didn’t always know where it was leading, but that was part of the magic. And in that moment, he discovered something profound—sometimes, new beginnings come in the most unexpected ways.
- How did your personal experiences influence the themes and characters in your writing?
A: Over many years, you gain a lot of experience and meet many personalities, and with a fluid imagination, you can “what-if” thousands of times to see what might make a good story.
- Which authors have significantly influenced your writing style and why?
A: I’m not sure I have specific authors that influenced my style, but I do enjoy John Grisham, Orson Scott Card, James Patterson, and even the adult novels of Sylvia day have provided personality perspectives.
- What inspired the character of Jenna Slade, and how did you develop her background and personality?
A: After the first five edits of my first draft, I had a local book club beta read it for me. The first question asked was “What makes you qualified to write first person female protagonist?”. I appreciated her question, and replied that my daughter’s best friend Jenna read my first novel Xima and said she wanted to be the main character in a book. I knew her personality and thought she would be perfect for Jenna Slade. When you know a personality, writing becomes easy. She helped me with some of Jenna’s attire, attitude and kept me in check with what she would or would not say. It was fun to work with her on this novel.
- How did you approach the research process to accurately depict FBI procedures and the international underworld in your book?
A: This was more challenging than I thought. I did the research on Miami FBI, and Police. I used some social media groups to help me with terms; the rest was from my years of real-world experience. I would consistently research the accuracy of locations, distances and geographical accuracies of the scenes.
- Were any real-life events or cases an inspiration for the plot of The Enemy Within?
A: The inspiration was in part from real-world events on the trust of our Legal system and how Justice may or may not be applied evenly among the people.
- What message or experience do you hope readers take away after reading this book?
A: I don’t think I intended to leave a message other than to enjoy my story and the plot twists I’ve created.
- Could you describe your writing process? Do you follow a structured outline, or do you allow the story to develop organically?
A: I was on a writer’s panel and was asked my writing style. When I said I had just written as the story unfolded in my mind, I was told I was a “Chaos” writer. I looked up this term and it fits. The difficult part of writing murder mysteries is keeping facts and events in order to keep with the planned plot twists. I’ve started my sequel to Jenna Slade – Enemy within, but I realize my story is spreading into a longer term than expected, so I may use an outline to keep it organized.
- How do you handle writer’s block or periods of low creativity?
A: I take the fun route. I take friends and family out for beer and wine, explain the story so far, get their inputs for ideas on where it should go, and even let them help with names of characters and cities, which was fun for Xima.
- Do you have plans for a sequel to Jenna Slade: The Enemy Within or any other upcoming projects you’d like to share?
A: Yes, I’ve begun the sequel to Jenna Slade, but have recently provided copies of my books to local book clubs and seeking their advice on where the sequel and trilogy should go. I’ve also just published my sequel to Xima, titled “Within Xima.” It has fabulous world-building and introduces some amazing aliens. I’m also working on a non-fiction that describes how to keep a marriage alive after thirty years using experiences from our own marriage.
Conclusion
In closing, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to Rich Blecher for sharing his inspiring journey and insights into the world of writing. His transformation from a reluctant reader to a passionate author demonstrates the power of resilience and creativity. We look forward to seeing how his unique stories and vibrant characters continue to evolve in future works. Thank you, Rich, for the gift of your storytelling and for inspiring others to find their own voices.
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