Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a highly decorated former police officer and graduate of the FBI National Police Academy. I have gotten to know murders, rapists and others who live according to their own edicts. I’ve written two stories, JusThis & Brand of Justice.
The Austin Daily Herald commented on me as such . . . “Take one dose of Rude’s prose. After 4 hours, call a friend and tell ’em, you can’t put his book down.”
Midwest Book Reviewer Repenski stated the following . . . “His writing turns the lights off in the darkroom. He really takes a shot in Brand of Justice.”
The Total Writer states . . . “Curt Rude captures what many run from – the truth-in this captivating story of greed, lust and ego fueled off vulnerable human emotion. Dark, yet, captivating, this fast moving book will have you on the edge of your seat.”
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Brand of Justice
I wrote this story to highlight the fallout when officers get it all wrong. Nobody is perfect, police officers are somebody, thus they make mistakes.
The story itself is dedicated to incarcerated innocence and the loved ones they left behind.
I attended the trial of a young man, Jerimie Hicks in Great Falls Montana. His comments are on the back of my book. They read as such. “It only takes a second for things to go wrong-you can never get it back again. True character comes out in the darkest moments of struggle. Only after feeling horrific pain did I see the justice system for what it is. An evil puppet show, where prosecuting attorneys hold all the strings. They prance around, play on emotion, twist and destroy truths in their lust for convictions. Only those stained by the ‘Justice Puppet Show’ will ever understand. ‘Brand of Justice’ does happen!”
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I put the shoes of my characters on. I feel their pain. The warmth of their smiles. I live, and breathe the air they breathe. Brand of Justice takes place in Casper, Wyoming. I walked the streets of Casper. I wanted to see what a sunset looks like there. I spent time on Death Row. I was belted into the Gas Chamber. I lived it. Then I wrote it. I have photographs of my efforts on my blog http://curtrude.blogspot.com/
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I studied under Roy Hazelwood, author of ‘Dark Dreams’. Another author I’ve been friends with over the years is John Campbell, who wrote, ‘Into the Minds of Madmen’. Ken Kesey has a writing style that is, in my opinion absolutely dead on. McMurtry has a method of madness that ties readers to his characters. We all got to know Gus and Captain Call as if they were our neighbors. My writing style, as in sentence structure, has been compared to Ernest Hemingway, by a reviewer. I of course took that to heart and have so far read ‘To Have and Have Not’ ‘Old Man and The Sea’ and ‘A Farewell to Arms’.
What are you working on now?
I am currently hammering out the details of an agreement to coauthor a book of short stories from the streets of America. I would write stories from a police captain’s perspective while my coauthor, a captain from a Chicagoland fire department would add stories from a fire fighters point of view.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I take the opportunity to engage my readers. To be available for them through this thing called social media. I have a website https://sites.google.com/site/curtrudewriter/home as well as a blog http://curtrude.blogspot.com/. With my stories, ‘Brand of Justice’ and ‘JusThis’, I’ve pointed out to my readers how to approach my stories. First, each chapter is subtitled with a song selection and I encourage readers to play it on their Kindle or what not, before devouring the chapter. It sets the tone. The mood.
I respond to emails or online comments. I’m honest. I’ve made guest appearances on Fox Televison, been on morning talk radio programs and been featured in newspaper articles. I am candid and point out that my stories, regard matters that ooze from the appalling side of human nature. I feel very strongly that I am writing in the direction of ‘whys’ regarding terrible headlines that haunt us almost daily.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Experience it. Write towards what you know. While putting ‘JusThis’ together I was terribly upset with having to spend so much time with a character. Chief Pullet. He disgusted me at every level. My wife, who teaches English and writing, advised me to be true to my characters. I was. That was great advice.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Thomas Edison said it perfectly. One percent inspiration, Ninety-nine percent perspiration.
What are you reading now?
‘Gone Girl’ by Gillian Flynn. I raced to the end and then immediately started a second reading. I’m taking the second reading very slowly. I want to appreciate the style and form of the story. Gillian is a master of her craft. I loved the story.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m considering an opportunity to work at a university. I figure being around young minds and attitudes would be inspiring. As is the nature of authors, I also have a story that is swirling around in my head. I haven’t come up with any reason as to why it shouldn’t be told.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Kesey
An Introduction to Literature by Barnet, Burto, Cain
Lonesome Dove by McMurtry
And of course . . . Outdoor Survival Skills by Olsen
Author Websites and Profiles
Curt Rude Website
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Curt Rude Author Profile on Smashwords
Curt Rude’s Social Media Links
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