Writers Can Learn from an Actor-Turned-Writer

Did you know that Ron Ely, born June 2, 1938, muscleman, actor, director, husband, and father — is also a writer?

Ron doesn’t fit the stereotype of “muscleman.” He didn’t in the Tarzan series, and he doesn’t in real life. This man can spin an engaging tale of intrigue and murder.

Make that tales.

You won’t find his books on Kindle, but you can purchase print editions, as well as audiobook versions narrated by the author himself.

The Backstory

My dad enjoyed TV shows featuring Lorne Greene or Raymond Burr, and he had a male crush on Johnny Weissmuller, Lloyd Bridges, and Ron Ely. Smoking killed Dad before his fiftieth birthday, when you could still buy gas in the USA for 65¢ a gallon, but every day I see or hear something that reminds me of him.

Nostalgia led me to purchase the twelve-movie package of Johnny Weismuller Tarzan movies (auf Englisch und auch Deutsch, Dads Muttersprache) and the Ron Ely Tarzan TV series. While searching for Ron Ely DVDs, Amazon informed me that he had written two books. This piqued my curiosity, and I ordered them.

A Few Facts About Ron Ely

• Ron is tall.
• Because he didn’t rely on stuntmen during the filming of Tarzan, he suffered several injuries — including two broken shoulders.
• While writing the books, he lived in Santa Barbara, California.
• He’s an experienced scuba diver.

A Few Facts About the Protagonist, Jake Sands

• Jake is tall.
• He suffered several injuries, including a broken shoulder.
• He lives in Santa Barbara, California.
• He’s an experienced scuba diver.

Etcetera, Etcetera, Etcetera (In the Voice of Yul Brynner)

Ron and Jake share other similarities. I imagine a few of them are echoed by Jake’s philosophizing.

Fate Has Been Merciless

OCTOBER 15, 2019: With the horrific death of Ron’s wife, Valerie Lundeen, and their son, Cameron, Ron acquired a further connection with Jake Sands: the loss of his wife and son.

What Can Writers Learn from Ron’s Books?

– Don’t count on a “Big Five” publisher to promote your book. Considering the meager number of reviews, it’s unlikely that Ron Ely’s novels received much marketing support.

– Authors can write an engaging tale without resorting to page after page of sailor invective. You might curse while writing your book, but that’s another story.

– It’s possible to build romantic tension without graphic sex scenes. Need to know more? Read the books.

– “Write about what you know” makes a book believable. Ron draws on his experience, physical attributes, and surroundings to write realistic narrative. His account of scuba diving, for example, conveys specific knowledge but doesn’t read like a PADI instructor’s manual. Too many writers try to show off what they know, and in the process, they bore readers.

– Brilliant verbiage is only brilliant the first time. Mr. Ely doesn’t bombard readers with repeats of clever phrasing, and neither should you.

– It’s never too late to begin — or continue — writing. These books were written when Ron was in his fifties.

– Details are important in crime novels. Although Ron’s writing is miles away from the descriptive prose of authors like Anne Rice or Diana Gabaldon, he provides sufficient descriptions, mental wanderings, and opinions to reveal the protagonist’s personality.

– A good relationship with your editor is important. In an interview several years ago with Fanboy Planet, Ron explained that he shelved two subsequent books in the Jake Sands series mostly because he didn’t trust the editor he was supposed to work with. Maybe now that self-publishing has mainstreamed, he and his family will consider unshelving those novels.

– It’s important for a writer’s voice to suit the protagonist. Although these books frequently capitalize on the “I did this” “I did that” structure, Jake is a tough guy with a tender heart, and his narrative suits his character.

– Readers shouldn’t be forced to consult a dictionary every few pages. Mr. Ely has a smooth style with understandable words.

– Short paragraphs and strategic section breaks make for easier reading. If people only have a few minutes to spare, they can scan ahead to see whether they’ll be able to take on the next section or chapter.

– Dedications should be more than careless afterthoughts. The saddest part of both Jake Sands books is the dedication to Ron’s wife and children. Mr. Ely gave up acting to raise his family.

A Few Comments About Night Shadows

At times I could almost hear the voice of Sergeant Joe Friday (Jack Webb, Dragnet, 1967-1970) reading the narrative.

I’ve included a few quotes, but there are too many that describe Jake’s interactions with Tex Flanagan and his culinary habits for me to share. The descriptions are short and memorable, and Tex is one gluttonous character you’ll never forget.

The ending is a surprise. The clues are there, and in retrospect or on a second read, you’ll see them, plain as the mustard on Tex Flanagan’s chin.

As I read, I thought that perhaps a better title for the book would be Still Perfect. Yea or nay? You’ll have to read the story to understand why it might or might not be appropriate.

The book left me, as any good book should, wanting more.

QUOTES from Night Shadows

I bookmarked a couple dozen quotes and whittled them down to six. You won’t find any spoilers among them. Want to know whodunit? Read the book.

Night Shadows

Publisher’s book description

Jake Sands has had a truly action-packed life, Now a 40-something retiree, he first worked with a special government unit and then as a “recoverer” of stolen or missing objects … and people. His work made him a very rich man, but he paid a steep price: the double murder of his wife and child. Jake now spends his days working out and his nights staying awake with his memories.

One night, while jogging along the path of Coco Palms, the exclusive, high-security residential enclave in Santa Barbara where he lives, Jake literally stumbles upon a body. As the fates would have it, Jake is back in business.

Convinced by a beautiful lady to help find her missing husband, Jake’s troubles are just beginning. In the process of helping her, more bodies turn up along with a treasure that’s “to die for.” He also has a confrontation with the Coco Palms security force, whose own criminal record could fill a book. And then there’s the Santa Barbara police, run by a bullhead Texan who knows something he’d rather Jake didn’t.

Jake Sands takes his place comfortably alongside such notable suspense heroes as Travis McGee, Dave Robicheaux, and Lew Archer.

Paperback Editions

320 pages

Amazon.com | Barnes & Noble | BAM! Books a Million | Book Depository | BookShop.org | IndieBound.org

Audio Book, Narrated by Ron Ely

3 hours and 6 minutes

Amazon.com | Amazon.ca | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com.au | Amazon.in

(As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.)

A Few Comments About East Beach

Jake Sand’s thoughts concerning the loss of his wife, son, and unborn child become more poignant in the second book.

A remark that shows up several times, “Stay sanitary,” acquires special meaning in the midst of the COVOD-19 pandemic.

Quotes from East Beach

As with Night Shadows, I noted numerous quotes and pruned them to six. No spoilers or cliffhangers, I promise. The ending would segue into another book.

East Beach

Publisher’s Book Description

Welcome back to Jake Sands, a fortysomething retiree from a high-risk, high-action life — a hero worthy of the proud tradition set by the likes of Philip Marlowe and Travis McGee. With the double murder of his wife and child, Jake gave up his lucrative career as a “recoverer” of stolen or missing objects — and people. Escaping his past ties to Los Angeles, Jake has moved to Santa Barbara, where he has “dropped out, ” spending his days trying to avoid past friends and future decisions, and his nights awake with his memories.

But Jake is a man who just can’t seem to stay retired. When Julie Price, his favorite waitress and beach volleyball groupie, turns up dead, he ventures into the high-stakes East Beach volleyball culture to get an inside look at her friends and her life. Reluctantly, he trades in his jogging sweats for neon shorts and soon finds himself matched against the king of the beach, Collin Fraser, an Australian who is as popular with the women as he is ruthlessly cruel. Adding spice to the game are a loose $40 million, which has yet to be claimed, and a string of prominent businessmen who seem to have trouble staying alive. In the sun-bleached heat of East Beach, Jake discovers there is a deadly undercurrent as he gets closer to finding answers — someone is after him.

Paperback Editions

336 pages

Amazon.com | Barnes & Noble | BAM! Books a Million | Book Depository | BookShop.org | IndieBound.org

Audio Book, Narrated by Ron Ely

2 hours and 33 minutes

Amazon.com | Amazon.ca | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com.au | Amazon.in

(As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.)