New York graphic designer Ron Lacey loves visiting Bermuda so much that he decided to instigate a terrorist takeover of the Island – in his own imagination, that is.

Mr. Lacey's self-published book 'Pink Rock: Bronson DeSalvo Meets Doomsday', will storm local bookshelves soon.

"I have been coming to Bermuda for 36 years," Mr. Lacey told The Royal Gazette on his most recent visit. "I love the place."

The character of Bronson, was inspired by his best friend who died six years ago.

"I use to call him Bronson because there use to be a television show called 'Benson and Bronson'," said Mr. Lacey. "One day, missing his friend and looking for inspiration Mr. Lacey went out for a walk.

"One Sunday at about 7 p.m., I looked up at the sky," said Mr. Lacey. "I said 'Bronson, show me something'. I missed him. As I turned to go back home a rainbow appeared out of nowhere. One side of the rainbow led to my town and the other end went out over the ocean leading to Bermuda. For four years I have been writing the book."

Many of the characters in the book are inspired by his friends and family. The main character's name is Ray and Ray's wife is Raye. Ron's wife's name is Ronnie. Another character was inspired by Mr. Lacey's favourite taxi driver in Bermuda, Calvin Harris.

"Calvin Harris has been my cab driver for about 20 years now," said Mr. Lacey. "He is in the book too. Every time I come down here he is like, 'how is the book coming, how is the book coming?' I would tell him it is not ready yet. It took me four years to write."

Mr. Lacey first came to Bermuda in 1974 on his honeymoon. He initially stayed at the Reefs, but now stays at Salt Kettle House.

"There are a couple of places I love in Bermuda," he said. "I always like to go to the Reefs. I have so many good memories there. I have bought my kids there many times.

"I love staying in Salt Kettle House. That is really nice, because you don't have to leave the place."

"I called the book 'Pink Rock', because years ago, that's what Bermuda was, 'the pink rock'. That stuck in my mind."

He decided to self-publish because he had little writing experience, and he said one in 50,000 manuscripts is published the mainstream way.

"I think it is a pretty good story itself," he said. "I figure if it doesn't sell here it isn't going to sell anywhere else. I went to an online publishing company called Lulu.com. They produced 20 of these for a short run printing."

While in Bermuda he used books from this print run to show local bookstore owners and friends.

He is good friends with Horst Augustinovic, whom he met through the Sandys Rotary Club.

"I always enjoy the Rotary meetings at the Sandys Club and Henry VIII Restaurant," he said. "That is always fun. I have been going there for 10 years. Horst has been really helpful," said Mr. Lacey. "I have gone to about six bookstores. They like the back cover and the blurb.

"I can definitely sell this. Once I mention Horst's name that closes the deal. The books should be ready to go in little over a month."

Since he is a graphic artist by profession, he designed the cover. He said although the cover depicts reefs in Hamilton Harbour, the rest of the book is pretty factual.

"I showed my friend, a retired airline captain, the book. He said it was good, but terrorists would never take over Bermuda. 9/11 happened shortly after I finished writing the book. After that, my friend had to revise his opinion.

"I didn't want to jump on the bandwagon of terrorism. 'Pink Rock' is really about friendship and camaraderie amongst a bunch of people who are in a difficult situation.

"They have to figure out how to get rid of the terrorists. It is mostly dialogue. I don't have a lot of writing skills. The concept is good and the story is good. It has some pretty good twists to it. I didn't want to write about terrorism; tell me something good." He said he did not plot out the book before hand, but just flew by the seat of his pants.

"Honestly, when I was writing the book I had no idea how to do it," he said. "I would say, 'I have 150 pages so far; what am I going to do next?'

Mr. Lacey said he literally sat down every afternoon and just started writing.

"My typing is really slow, so I typed little by little," he said. "I would go over it a day later. It flowed. I guess I can think well in advance. Because I am an artist I lay things out visually in my mind. Once a thought came to me I said, 'okay, this is going to work great'."

He said he is a good day-dreamer, which sometimes drives his wife crazy.

"I am a dreamer, but I am extremely punctual," he said. "Everything gets done. If I say I am going to be some place at a certain time, I am there."

Mr. Lacey said he stays current with Bermuda affairs and reads The Royal Gazette everyday.

He admitted he didn't do much research, because he has the place memorized.

"I have never been a guy who could read a text book and have much to say," he said.

"Visually, if I see something once I remember things in my mind. I remember at three years old my grandmother feeding me Gerber baby food. My memory is terrific."

For more information about 'Pink Rock' contact Mr. Lacey at laceystudio@yahoo.com.