Richard R. Becker is a short story novelist and writer from Las Vegas. He has written for hundreds of publications, taught at the University of Nevada, and has assisted more than 60 nonprofit and professional organizations. He also serves as president of Copywrite, Ink.
Becker’s debut novel, Third Wheel, is a coming-of-age YA tale set in 1982 about a teen boy who moves to Las Vegas and how the decisions he makes there lead to life-changing consequences. Below is my interview with Becker about his book and writing process.
Why do you write in the genres that you do?
My writing is generally eclectic, like my reading. I enjoy bouncing around different genres, which made writing short stories feel very natural. Every week, I toggled back and forth between literary fiction, supernatural fiction, psychological thrillers, or whatever came to mind.
So, my debut novel, Third Wheel, was a special challenge. It was the first time I had to settle into a single genre for any length of time. Even so, it’s a bit of a mix. It may be a coming-of-age story, but the character development is more akin to literary fiction and the plot akin to a crime thriller. While it might make it harder to categorize my novel, it makes it a little less predictable.
Do you keep a notebook of ideas?
Yes! I keep two notebooks. I jot down random ideas and lines from something I read in a small, beat-up moleskin notebook. If I don’t have it with me at any given moment, I’ll thumb something on Notes in my phone and then add it to the notebook later.
The second notebook is a larger hardcover made by MOO. It has a special Swiss binding that allows the book to lay flat. Every now and again, I’ll curate and improve upon select random thoughts from the smaller notebook. I only write in it with a fountain pen.
Are you more of a fan of plot-driven stories or character-driven stories?
The best stories treat it like a dance between two worlds — a gripping or riveting plot with well-rounded characters we can relate to or at least understand. So, while the plot might move things along, it’s the characters that make us care. If an author leans too far in one direction or another, it’s often a recipe for disaster.
Fill in the blank: “People will like your book if they like stories about…”
If people like literary fiction with an edge, they won’t be disappointed.
My first book, 50 States, was a collection of short stories, with each story set in one of the 50 American states. Because it spans a number of literary genres, moods, and situations, it reads like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re going to get, except it tends to lean dark.
My novel, Third Wheel, is a teenage Breaking Bad-like crime story set in 1980s Las Vegas. If you like the Outsiders or Catcher In The Rye, the story will resonate. The literary undercurrent is about identity and the need to belong, but it’s rubbing elbows with the Mob and a drug cartel that makes it memorable.
I wrote a ten-story collection called Ten Threads between those two books. It’s really a companion to 50 States, pushing some of my original stories forward and giving readers the sense that some stories intersect and none of them really end.
Would you rather own a bookstore or run a library?
As much as l’m a fan of libraries (libraries matter!) and frequently call those out that carry my books, I would rather own a bookstore. Part of my fascination with them stems from indie bookstores that I’ve visited on my journeys and the connections I’ve made along the way.
One of my favorites is in the Bishop Arts District of Dallas, Texas. It’s called Poets Oak Cliff. It’s a small, meticulously curated bookstore owned by writer and poet Marco Cavazos. Walking into that store made me want to own a bookstore because it was vibrant, fresh, and personal.
How do you name your characters?
First names tend to come to me within the first few paragraphs of a story. Different names carry different weights. For example, the protagonist in Third Wheel is named Brady Wilks. Brady is likable, but not necessarily strong like his best friend, Mick, or nemesis, Alex.
Surnames can be trickier. It takes a while to settle into a last name for a protagonist, but I’m not against doing some research to find the most common surnames in a state for supporting characters. For example, Michaud is a common name in Maine. One of the characters in my next book has that surname.
What is your favorite website that you use to promote your writing?
You mean aside from Laura’s Book and Blogs? Seriously, I can’t thank you enough for inviting me. I absolutely love your site!
I don’t necessarily have a favorite website, but I do frequently promote my work on Facebook. Once upon a time, I published my first drafts on Facebook. It attracted a lot of attention until it attracted too much attention. Some people got the wrong idea and had my page shut down. I’ve since revived it, but I no longer publish short stories there.
If Hollywood bought the rights to your book, would you want it to be turned into a movie or series?
Third Wheel cuts both ways. It would make a great movie on its own. But when I get around to writing the eventual second or third installments of the Brady Wilks story, it would take a series to get everything right — with extra episodes to cover some of the content that will likely never appear in any of my books. So, in sum, a movie today but a series to follow.
Who is your dream audiobook narrator?
I’m very fortunate that two of my books were picked up by a dream narrator named Brian Callanan. Brian is a six-time Emmy winner for television news.
He was originally cast to read 50 States because his wonderful range allowed him to read hundreds of different characters. He was perfect for Third Wheel too.
Other than Brian, I would love to one day write a book that Bill Patton could read. He’s narrated several audiobooks that I count among my most favorite listens.
How many words or pages do you typically write in one writing session?
If I have a solid block of uninterrupted time, I write somewhere between 1,000 and 3,500 words in a writing session. I never force it. Ideally, I like to commit to a story or a chapter on Monday and work toward wrapping up the draft by the end of the week, keeping in mind I’m also a professional writer. I have plenty of other things to write during the course of a week.
What are your passions/obsessions outside of writing?
I have a pretty broad range of interests, including travel, hiking, parks, fitness, illustration, photography, spending time with family, and giving back to my community. Right now, for example, I’m chair of the City of Las Vegas Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission and coach high school softball.
I love doing new things so there is no shortage of new experiences. So who knows what’s next? I’ve been blessed with a career as a commercial writer (before writing fiction) that has afforded me all sorts of experiences.
Have you made any public appearances to promote your book?
I have made a few public appearances. I had a table at the Las Vegas Book Festival last year and my books sold very well. Some indie bookstores have hosted book signings and I’ve spoken to a few small groups on being an accidental author, which is what I call one of my talks.
Right now, I’m trying to arrange a book tour that will coincide with a cross-country road trip to take my daughter to school. I’ve got the dates and locations already planned, and I will start calling bookstores to gauge their interest. It should be fun!
Who is on your Mt. Rushmore of greatest/inspirational authors (choose four authors)?
I almost always start with John Updike and Ernest Hemingway because they both have such a gift for writing straight, honest prose about human beings. I very much want to do the same, even if I put my characters in more perilous situations.
But along with these greats, I always like to call out an author I’ve recently read and this time out that would be Shelby Van Pelt. Her book, Remarkably Bright Creatures, is lighter than my usual reads but I love how her story feels absolutely effortless. It’s inspiring. I’ll Give You The Sun by Jandy Nelson hit me the same way.
Is there a book on writing that you recommend all writers read?
If you aren’t able to take a class, online or in person, with Joyce Carol Oates, then absolutely pick up A Swim in a Pond in the Rain: In Which Four Russians Give a Master Class on Writing, Reading, and Life by George Saunders.
While A Swim in a Pond might feel like there is a diminishing return on investment the longer you read, Saunders will change the way you see storytelling. So does Oates and Walter Mosley. My advice is to learn from the masters.
Have you ever mentored another writer with their writing?
I taught commercial writing — public relations, advertising, social media, and marketing — for over 20 years at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. I more or less retired from teaching there after Covid. Covid had knocked the wind out of professional development classes and my section never really came back.
Is there an idea that a non-writer has pitched to you that you have considered writing?
Yes and no. Most of the time I don’t accept ideas because I have so many of my own. I have more than 50 working projects in my head. I don’t need 51. However, there was one person who did share some of her story with me on the condition of anonymity. Some of what she shared informed the novel I’m working on now. It’s fiction, but some of what she shared will lend an authenticity that I think will hook readers.
Buy it!
Buy a copy of Third Wheel here, and help support local bookstores. This is an affiliate link, and I will earn a commission on any sales.
Are you a big reader? Do you own a large collection of books, or are you more of a borrower?
I have four books open at any given time. I read one physical book, usually nonfiction, at lunch. I have one digital book on my phone. I have one audiobook I listen to when I workout, clean, or drive alone. And I have one book I read with my daughter. We take turns reading every other paragraph out loud. We have for years. I’ll miss it when she goes off to college.
I used to keep all the books I read, but it’s just not possible anymore. So, I mostly keep signed editions and all-time favorites. The rest are donated to libraries or friends or people in need.
Have you ever gone away to work on a piece of writing? If not, where would you go if you could?
I am thinking about taking a trip to Maine because my next novel is set there, and I have never been. I’ve learned enough about the area to feel informed, but visiting would really help me lock it down. We’ll see how that goes.
So, while I don’t need to live where my stories are set, I do rely on regional knowledge to inform my stories. One future exception may be a story set in Germany. But since it will be set in the late 40s and 50s, I don’t think a visit will be necessary. There are other places in Europe I might want to visit first.
How do you measure the success of your writing career?
I ask myself if I wrote the very best story I could write. I can’t think of a better measure of success than being able to answer that question with a “yes.” The rest will take care of itself.
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