Tim Dorsey loves Florida news headlines. Those headlines, along with small towns and black humor, fuel the Serge Storms novels readers have come to love. Dorsey’s nineteenth book in the series is Coconut Cowboy, a wacky blend of Easy Rider, a corrupt Southern town, and a serial killer out to set the world right.
For those unfamiliar with the movie, Easy Rider was a 1969 classic starring Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper. The movie was about two part-time, drug-dealing motorcyclists (Fonda and Hopper) who went in search of the “American Dream.” Fonda and Hopper’s lifestyle didn’t mix with traditional Southern values and they met a tragic end. The movie, said Dorsey, was the genesis for Coconut Cowboy.
“Basically,” said Dorsey, “the star of the books is the state of Florida. The books provide an insider’s view you won’t find in a Chamber of Commerce brochure. I love Florida and it has become my life. First, I was a journalist and then I was able to become a novelist. I consider myself lucky to be able to cull these inane facts and weird places into a job. These books come from my own passion. Readers ask if I’m a historian, but I’m just an amateur who loves history. I love to drive around and take photos.”
His passion for the area’s history led Tim Dorsey to the Southeastern portion of Louisiana. He said, “In Louisiana, there are parishes instead of counties. Seven of the parishes were formed out of what was once West Florida Territory. There’s even a Republic of West Florida Parkway and it all used to be part of the Florida panhandle. The area was once controlled by the Spanish, but the English settlers stormed the Baton Rouge garrison and kicked the Spanish out. They set up the Republic of Florida, had their own legislature. They even wrote a constitution and had a flag.”
The thing that always got me was that in the movie their whole dream was to get to Florida.
This type of history leads to a culture with strong values—one intolerant of motorcycle-riding drug dealers like those in Easy Rider. “The thing that always got me,” said Dorsey, “was that in the movie their whole dream was to get to Florida. Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper were heading to paradise—the Promised Land. I’ve checked online and on the map. They would have to have been in St. Tammany parish, one of the Florida parishes. I decided to go back to the parishes and create the sequel to Easy Rider.”
“It all begins when Serge sees the movie and decides he’s going to find his own American dream where the movie left off. Just like the movie, he shuns interstates. He starts in the Florida parishes—basically, hitting the small towns. In Florida, they drive through one small town that’s completely corrupt and is lining someone’s pockets with fines from a speed trap.”
Because Tim Dorsey’s books deal with all things wild and wacky, he often receives comments from readers saying things like, “You think it’s so funny to make this stuff up.” In response, he tells them all he has to do is to keep up on current Florida events.
Now working on his twentieth novel, Dorsey finds the most difficult challenges to being a writer are mostly a matter of discipline. “To write, you have to squirrel yourself away. If you’ve got a life and a family, you’ve got to tend to that first. It’s not the challenges you would normally expect to hear. This job is a labor of love.”
Learn more about Tim Dorsey and Coconut Cowboy at timdorsey.com.
Rosemary Simm says
Tim Dorsey came to our library, in Ocala Florida, to promote his books this past summer. He is a native Floridian and spins some good stories about this southern state. He is really a humorous man and his books reflect his off the wall thinking. This will be a good read.
Linda Williams Stirling says
I have not read Tim Dorsey yet, but this sounds like a great book. I like the idea of a character inspired by Easy Rider. Wacky is always good for me!
grandmatina says
Sounds like a great read..
clynsg says
Even though I never saw the entire movie,it is hard to not know something about it,since so many clips have made into film history!
Sabine B says
Gosh… This sounds like an interesting book. It will be on my “must read” list.
Renee Rousseau says
How do you keep the creative juices flowing after 20 novels?
Terry says
Hey Renee, I don’t know if Tim will answer because he’s currently on tour, but in my interview with him, he was talking about the headlines being a real source of inspiration for him. He seems to have one of those “what if” kinds of minds that can take a real situation and turn it on its head.
Linda Birdsell says
This looks like a fun book!
Michelle Willms says
i love authors who can write wonderful books based (no matter how loosely) actual crimes that include humor. It’s a wonderful talent and should be lauded. I clearly need to be diving into a huge pile of Tim Dorsey’s books right now. 🙂
Karen Dieffenbaugher says
Would love to read this one …Different format for me…Sounds like fun..
laurieg72 says
My oldest son reads all of his books. I will have to search for some of his books.
peggy clayton says
Oh goodness I can’t believe it . I have a story about Easy Rider myfoster sister and I were delivering our newspapers in the afternoon on Skyline Blvd in Woodside and along comes a motorcycle with camera crew and everything . They were filming it and here we were on the side of the rode watching like a few nuts . We didn’t wave or anything as we were so shocked and a few people in the camera crew looked at us but probably thought we were boys as we had to dress in boy clothes. The only good story that comes out of being in a foster home.
Terry Ambrose says
Oh, my goodness, Peggy…you’re famous! Did you wind up in the movie? Have you looked to see?
elainehroberson says
I love Tim Dorsey’s books. Count me in.
Lindsey says
Looks like a great book!
bn100 says
interesting sounding
Jackie Wisherd says
I have read several books by Mr. Dorsey…he is good for laughs.
Dorothy B says
Nice article
Marlene H says
I saw Easy Rider so I can’t wait to read this. Thanks for the giveaway.
Jess dimovski says
Looks like a great read!
Beth Miller says
This book sounds great. Thank you.
Joanne H. says
I appreciate learning about an author that I haven’t read.
carolyninjoy says
Thank you for the opportunity to win. Your book looks intriguing.
susanbeamon says
As a story, Easy Rider has bugged me for years. It felt like it dealt too much with negative stereotypes.
Terry says
It did hit pretty hard on stereotypes, Susan. However, it was a very powerful movie. It stuck with me for a long time, too.
witchywoman18618 says
NEVER READ EASY RIDER ONLY SAW THE MOVIE
servedogmom says
Sounds like a great read during difficult times. Appreciate the opportunity. Terry, just downloaded your book. Sounds intriguing.
Teresa Motz says
Love wacky reads! Thanks for the chance to win!
Liz says
This looks like a fun read
Dianne Casey says
Looks like a great read, will add to my TBR list.
robeader says
Thanks Terry for introducing me to Tim Dorsey. I’ve never read anything by him so I will be sure to add him to my list of books to check out. robeader53@yahoo.com
Terry says
You’re welcome. It’s always fun when readers find new writers that interest them!
Patty wright says
I love reading. But I only read paper books. I don’t do kindle
Mary Holshouser says
tim’s books are always a fun read.
thanks for the chance to win.
uniquecus says
sounds interesting
sallycootie says
We lived in Florida for a few years, and it is not just a state full of old, quiet retirees. This sounds like a really fascinating book, especially since I am from the Easy Rider era. Thanks for the giveaway.