Richard Bullis never imagined he would become an author. For the past 20 years, his life revolved around music—playing guitar, singing, and writing songs. But one day, a story took root in his mind. Initially, it was just a short story, but it intrigued him so much that he kept building on it. Over time, the short story grew into a novella, and then a full-length novel.
"I never grew up wanting to write a book," Richard told Barrie 360. "But this story kept gnawing at me. It felt like something I had to finish."
Richard described the writing process as a journey of discovery. The characters evolved and revealed themselves, and the narrative took on a life of its own. He found inspiration in his own experiences and people he had known, infusing the story with a personal touch. "It's very much a Canadian story," he said, noting the timeline spans from 1964, the year his main character was born, to the present day.
"I think there's something for everybody. There's a love story. There's some violence. There's a car. There's places that I've loved in Canada. It's very much a Canadian story."
The plot centres around a man who, after the tragic death of his father, is raised by his mother and uncle. The uncle instills a strong moral code in the boy. However, one mistake sets his life on a completely different path, leading to unforeseen events. "You kind of root for him, but he did do something really bad," Richard explained. "Whether he finds redemption is for the reader to decide."
Richard's journey to complete the novel was anything but straightforward. Over 13 years, he wrote more than 70,000 words. "Something was speaking to me to write this."
When asked about the challenges he faced, Richard acknowledged that he experienced mental blocks, especially when trying to align the story's events with real dates. However, he found joy in incorporating nostalgic elements from his youth, hoping readers would resonate with them.
With the novel finally complete, Richard is excited about the upcoming launch. He plans to take the book on the road, guest speaking and inspiring others in the arts. When asked if he has plans for another novel, he said he's open to the possibility but wants to enjoy the current journey first.
For aspiring writers, Richard's advice is simple: "Don't put a deadline on writing. Try to write daily if you can. Dedicate time to your story and get it done."
Richard Bullis's debut novel, "A Blood Moon Between Friends," will be launched on Saturday, July 6, at Chasing New York, a men's clothier at 150 Dunlop Street, East. The event, a drop-in from 1 to 4 p.m., will offer a chance to meet Richard, purchase the book for $20, and even get it signed.
He hopes the event will bring people together to celebrate this milestone in his life and inspire others to pursue their creative passions.
