Modern Writers for Modern Readers – Tim Dorsey
Serge Storms Creator Defends the Written Word
Tim Dorsey, a former police reporter turned novelist, has written ten novels (working on an eleventh) and is single handedly saving fiction novels from certain death. His first book Florida Roadkill was released in 1999, since then Dorsey has written ten other books, all featuring a recurring character, Serge Storms, who lives in an outlaw's paradise, terrorizing the state of Florida, taking the reader on strange and hilarious journeys as Serge makes his own plans and executes with extreme precision.
Who Will Defend Literature?
The written word is dying. This phrase has been uttered so many times that it has become a cliche, but still one cannot deny the sad fact that there are truths behind this statement. The popularity of books has been dwindling down ever since the rise of visual media (movies, television, and now the internet).
Literature is suffering because of the stigma created around it. Books are associated more with homework then they are with leisure. And why not? Children have been forced into viewing books as a boring form of television, where they're dependent on their imagination rather than being shown a visual representation of a story, a sort of mental manipulation that discourages individual thought, and encourages mindless entertainment. Television and movies are easy, books are hard. It's as simple as that.
The association with literature and school makes it difficult for people (especially ages 16-30) to imagine that any writers out there possess the skills to entertain the visual generation. Anyone stuck believing that there is no hope, accepting that film and television has won the entertainment war, clearly has never heard of author Tim Dorsey.
Tim Dorsey--A Ray of Hope
Dorsey's writing style combines street smart antics, crime drama, and of course not stop, side-splitting humor as he writes about the antics of his lovable anti-hero Serge Storms. Serge is a self-proclaimed Floridafile (term coined by Storms, i.e. Dorsey), spreading the love of his great state, while forcing people to keep up with him, and his crazy ideas about the social contract between people, and the importance of following one's heart and instincts, no matter how crazy/illegal said instincts may be.
In addition to Florida Roadkill, Dorsey has written books with titles that may be as crazy as the content of their stories, such as Cadillac Beach, featuring a look at the life of Serge Storms, flashing back to his childhood, the mysterious disappearance of his Grandfather/Namesake (Sergio), a thirty year mystery behind stolen diamonds, and of course the insane antics that one could get into given the proper formula of belief and know-how only found with a character like Serge Storms.
Dorsey recently released a book called Nuclear Jellyfish, wherein his leading anti-hero Serge Storms has discovered the Internet, and all the hell that can break loose when a man like Serge is given the ability to voice his opinions, theories and ideas to an unsuspecting public.
Coming soon in January, Dorsey's 11th novel Gator A Go-Go.
There is a growing philosophy that because of television and film the average entertainment consumer has become (believe it or not) more sophisticated. People are no longer shocked or surprised by plot twists, in fact most have grown accustomed to expecting them. To keep a medium like literature alive, the author must shock and awe the audience. Tim Dorsey understands this and does not disappoint.
Get Ready for the Reader's Ride of a Lifetime
Tim Dorsey books span from one man's quest to raise global appreciation of the Sunshine State, to the delusional antics of the same man murdering in the name of what is "socially polite." Sit down with a Tim Dorsey novel, hold on tight, and get ready for the craziest ride that literature can take you on.
Tim Dorsey truly is the modern writer for the modern reader.
Tim Dorsey Book Covers and Wall Art
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