Today we’re joined by R. R. Reynolds, who started in Arizona, found himself in California, and then wandered all over the world to Nepal, India, Denmark and northern Sweden. He now resides in Florida and has completed work on his latest novel, Masters Mysterium: Wisconsin Dells.
Thanks for joining us Robert, What can you tell us about your new novel, Masters’ Mysterium?
I originally had the idea for this book about ten years ago. Back then, it would have been a medieval story about a mason working on a new cathedral. Somehow, it turned into a modern day adventure through northern Wisconsin! The Mysterium is a mythical tourist attraction located in Wisconsin Dells. Think of it as a poor man’s Ripley’s Believe it or Not, a museum built by a huckster, to empty unsuspecting tourist’s wallets. Now, veering dangerously close to bankruptcy, the proprietor, the Reverend Jay Masters is seeking a new exhibit to bring in the crowds and believes he has located the Hodag of Wisconsin lore. The protagonist, is his daughter Trudy, whom he abandoned before birth. Let’s just say, they don’t see eye-to-eye on how the world functions.
I have written previously about the amusement industry and my book “Roller Coasters, Flumes and Flying Saucers,” is still available on kindle. My previous background with the tourist industry actually prepared me for creating a non-existent attraction in Wisconsin Dells!
Living near Milwaukee, it isn’t difficult to drive up to Wisconsin Dells for the weekend and explore the area. I also visited Rhinelander and did the obligatory pose with their Hodag statue that is the area’s claim to fame.
Actually, I did. My interest in the amusement park industry led me to write to various theme parks asking for information so that I could compile a book. I was probably nine or ten years old at the time! They were all very gracious and provided me with a lot of information, but I was just way too young to properly create a book on the subject. Fortunately, I was able later in life to write a biography on two pioneers in the field; Ed Morgan and Karl Bacon, who worked closely with Walt Disney in the creation of many early Disneyland ride systems.
. The other is a rude one, so I will spare you (see, me not being a dick).
