Why set a story in 1983? Why not something modern?

When I first started writing Burnt Ends, I wanted a setting that felt gritty, grounded, and raw—but also rich with atmosphere. Piney Woods, Texas, in 1983 was the perfect choice.

The early ‘80s were a time of change. Small towns still had their own unwritten rules, and if you knew the right people, you could get away with a lot—or get yourself into serious trouble. It was a world where pay phones, paper ledgers, and word-of-mouth could keep a man’s past buried… at least for a while.

That’s the kind of world where Sticks & Stone fits right in.

Where Did Sticks & Stone Come From?

Ralph “Sticks” Efferland and Peter Stone weren’t born in a single moment. They came together over time, shaped by the kind of characters I love—ones with a past, ones trying to outrun their mistakes but still willing to dig in when it counts.

• Sticks is a hustler from Houston, an ex-con, always looking to game the system—but also fiercely loyal to those who’ve earned his trust.
• Stone is the former elite, a fired stockbroker who lost everything. He grew up in Piney Woods. Once part of the town’s upper class, he’s now navigating a world he was never meant to be part of.

Their partnership shouldn’t work. But somehow, it does.

The ‘80s Vibe

Setting the story in 1983 let me strip away modern conveniences. No cell phones. No internet. Just grit, wits, and a little luck. Sticks and Stone have to rely on old-school street smarts to survive, playing a long game that could either make them rich—or get them buried.

Burnt Ends – A Sticks & Stone Adventure is coming June 2025. Want to learn more? Check out BernonBooks.com.

Next time, I’ll talk about what it’s like writing two very different genres—fantasy and Southern grit.