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Friday, July 28, 2017

INTERVIEW WITH LARRY W. TIMM



Larry W. Timm is a husband, father, preaching minister with the
Morton Christian Church (Morton, Illinois), and writer who loves creating stories with heart, soul, and high doses of adrenaline. For more information about Larry, visit his website.



INTERVIEW

If you had to describe yourself in one sentence, what would you say? 

I’m torn between which of the following sentences best describes me (perhaps readers might weigh-in on this): 1)I’m a husband, father, preacher, and writer who loves to use the power of words to draw people closer to a loving heavenly Father who desires to redeem and embrace them. 2)I’m a harmless, yet slightly warped individual who hears voices and writes stuff down while eating cheese crackers and drinking Dr. Pepper. 3)I’m an obsessive worry-wart and control freak who knows it’s just a matter of time before the writing police arrest him for impersonating a writer.4) I’m a guy who frequently has people come up and say, “Do you know you look like Chevy Chase?” 5) I love to laugh and make others laugh too, as a way of enjoying and enduring the daily challenges of life. 6) All of the above.

What do you do when you’re not writing? Any interesting hobbies? 

Well, my “day job” is being the preaching minister at the Morton Christian Church in Morton, Illinois. I also love spending time with my wife and children, whether we’re going on little trips, watching The Andy Griffith Show, or enjoying a Tim Hawkins concert or video. And I blame my eight-year-old son, Josiah, for getting me addicted to playing numerous lego-themed video games while mumbling, “Where’s the stinkin’ bonus brick?” Another thing I do is wander around the house turning off lights, closing doors, and mumbling, “What’s that smell?” One of my favorite “hobbies” is metal detecting (although the neighbors keep getting grumpy when I’m digging in their flower beds because “there’s something special down there.”).

What was your favorite book as a teen or child? 

Great question. Way back in grade school, a teacher read a book a dog named “Prince.” I can’t remember the title, but I liked it so much, when I got a dog I named him “Prince.” (Yep, I was a deep kid). One of my favorite books as a teenager was PILGRIM’S PROGRESS.

Tell us three things about yourself that might surprise your readers?

1)I’m terrified of snakes. 2)I want to be a full-time RVer someday. 3)While in college, a few friends and I put together a boy band called “S.S.Nichols & The Dipstix” and performed at two Youth Conventions. I was one of the Dipstix (oh, just hush up right now!).The kids loved it. The administration worried about the future of America.

What genre did you start out writing? Have you changed course? Why or why not? 

Suspense has always been my genre of choice. It’s what I like to read, so it’s what I like to write.

What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author? What has been the best compliment? 

Early on in the process of submitting stories for contests or for critique, someone told me my characters were uninteresting and underdeveloped and my scene descriptions were weak. It was a big wake-up call. I’ve worked hard to improve in those areas. Another time, a friend was reading over something I was going to submit to a contest, and commented that one particular section was so poorly written that she wanted to stop reading (I think she meant my story specifically, not all reading in general). Basically, the descriptions were not vivid enough, the pacing was sluggish, and the scene was bloated with too many words. Other than that, it was just fine. Ha! But those great observations helped me to focus in on some glaring weaknesses. It made me work to be a better writer. That is, of course, an ongoing process.

As far as the best compliment goes, it has been encouraging and refreshing to have readers tell me that, regarding MURDER FOR EMILY’S SAKE, they loved the characters, appreciated the descriptions, and found the pacing to be strong. And to have other writers think I did a good job with my debut book means more to me than I can say. Seven different writers, all of whom I admire greatly (Nancy Mehl included), wrote endorsements for MURDER FOR EMILY’S SAKE. That just blesses me beyond measure.

Any other genres you’d like to try? If yes, what and why? 

I have a story idea for a series that, while still being “mystery/suspense/thriller”, has a “speculative fiction” feel. I’m not sure what genre it would fall in to. Most likely whatever I write will have some suspense connections.

If you could go back in time and do something differently at the start of your career, what would it be? 

First of all, I wish I would have started earlier. But if I could go back in time to the moment I decided to get serious about chasing this dream, I think I’d start with a better grasp on what to do to make writing a career.

What is the most important thing you’d like readers to take away from your books? 

In the words of Michael Ehret (found in the endorsement section of my book), I’d like readers to come to the end of each book with a “deep soul satisfaction that comes from experiencing a story well told.” I want readers to feel like they just finished a thrill-ride and can’t wait to get back in line and do it again. I want readers to miss the characters and places the story introduced them too. And, most importantly, I want them to have had their hope in God renewed, their commitment to truth strengthened, and their journey of faith enlightened.

What is the most valuable piece of advice you’d like to give to unpublished authors

I want to tell every unpublished writer that WRITING is what makes them a writer, NOT PUBLICATION. So write. Don’t stop writing. Getting published may put your writing into the hands of more readers—which is a great goal to have—but it doesn’t suddenly make you more important or more talented. Write as much as you can as often as you can. Accept the fact that crafting words into an engaging story is hard work, but you won’t get better at it just by reading books about writing or attending conferences and groups. Those tools and opportunities are wonderful—some would say even essential—but there is no substitute for writing. Write. Write. Write. Yes, there are other valuable pieces of advice that I’ve learned from people a whole lot smarter than me, but since you asked for one, I’ll stop at one.

On a moonlit night in Wichita, Kansas, a tormented father stands by the grave of his teenage daughter, Emily, and makes a chilling vow to avenge her death. Once he gets his hands on the three
women he holds responsible for his daughter's death, they will regret the day they met Emily outside the abortion clinic. He will expose a dark secret. He will bury them, as he buried Emily. Bury them alive. And after their caskets are in the ground, they will die ... for Emily's sake.

  








For your chance to win a copy of MURDER FOR EMILY'S SAKE, leave a comment, along with your contact information. U.S. only, please.

You can also visit Goodreads for another chance to win a copy of this exciting new book! 

31 comments:

  1. I'd say the answer to the question is all of the above. :-) Great interview and Murder for Emily's Sake sounds great!

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    1. Thank you very much, Patricia! (or may I call you Pat?). I'm honored that you decided to pick up a copy of the book. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. And, as far as the "all of the above" comment, I'd have to admit I agree with you. Blessings!

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  2. You are a new to me author, but would love to try Murder For Emily's Sake.

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    1. Mary,
      Since this is my debut book, I'm a new author to me too! Ha! Seriously, I hope you either win the book or pick one up on Amazon. Thanks for commenting. I'm honored to be a guest on this great blog.

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  3. I love your humor! And I'm a big fan of the Andy Griffith Show too. My husband and I quote stuff to each other all the time from the show. We have an RV but can't go anywhere right now because I'm taking care of my mother.
    I won your book on Coffee Cups and Camisoles but never received it. Maybe this time my luck will be better?
    tumcsec(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Gail, first let me apologize about the mix-up on the book. I'm not sure what happened there. Please go to the contact form on my website and send me a message with your mailing address, and I'll mail you a signed copy of the book right away. If you'd rather have a e-book version, I'd be glad to do that instead. Either way is fine with me. My website is www.booksbylarrywtimm.com I enjoyed being a guest on Coffee Cups and Camisoles.
      And I'm glad to hear you like the Andy Griffith Show. A few years ago, my family and I traveled to Mount Airy, North Carolina and went to the Andy Griffith museum. We got to meet Betty Lynn (Thelma Lou) while we were there. It was awesome! Got pictures and an autograph and everything.
      Again, sorry about the mix-up. Thanks for your gracious attitude. And thanks for taking time to comment on this interview. It's an honor to be a guest on Suspense Sisters. These ladies are wonderful!

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  4. I'm always ready to try a new author! jarning67(at)hotmail(dot)com

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    1. Joan,
      Any new author is thrilled to hear that readers are willing to give them a try. Whether you win the book or buy it, I hope you enjoy it.

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  5. Thank you for the giveaway and interview. forgiven4gotten at gmail dot com

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    1. Ann,
      Thank you for reading and commenting on the interview. However you get your hands on the book, I hope you like it.

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  6. You are a new author to me. I really enjoyed the interview and the description of the book. "Murder for Emily's Sake" sounds like an intriguing read.
    diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Dianne,
      I'm glad you enjoyed the interview, and I appreciate you taking the time to comment. If and when you do read the book, I hope you enjoy it.

      Delete
  7. You are a new author to me. I really enjoyed the interview and the description of the book. "Murder for Emily's Sake" sounds like an intriguing read.
    diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  8. Wow! What an interview! This is a new author for me. He is one I haven't heard of before. I'd love ti read his book! It sounds so god!
    duellonlysis(at)aol(dot)com

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    1. Beverly,
      Thanks for the kind words about the interview! I'm glad you are interested in reading the book. Thanks for commenting.

      Delete
  9. The interview was wonderful. Thanks for sharing a bit about yourself and your writing. You are a new author to me. I would love to read your book. Thanks for the chance.
    jhdwayne(at)peoplepc(dot)com

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    Replies
    1. Thank you for commenting. I love to share about writing and about my writing journey. I hope you get a chance to read the book!

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  10. Enjoyed reading the interview. You are a new author to me. The book sounds intriguing, would love to read it.
    betsylu2@msn.com

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    1. Thanks for taking the time to comment, Beth. I hope you get a chance to read the book, and I hope you enjoy it!

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  11. Hi Larry, I enjoyed "meeting" you through this interview. Our 3 year old granddaughter is now a fan of the Andy Griffith show and she can't decide who she likes best: Andy or Barney. This book sounds intense and I hope to read it soon.
    Thanks for this giveaway and Blessings!
    Connie
    cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Connie,
      I glad you commented, and I also glad to hear that your granddaughter is an AGS fan! We have all the seasons on DVD, and love to watch them together as a family.
      I hope you get a chance to read the book!

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  12. I enjoyed reading your interview. You're a new to me author, but I would love to read your book. Suspense and intrigue are my favorite genres to read. Thank you for the chance to win a copy of your book.
    llrev(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. Linda,
      I love to write suspense because it's my favorite genre to read. It's a fun thrill-ride when I get a chance to either write or read suspense.
      Thanks for commenting.

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  13. Great interview, and the book sounds like a great read.
    marcus802001(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. Thank you for commenting, Mark. And thanks for the kind words. It was a fun interview to be a part of. Nancy Mehl is one of my favorite writers,and one of my favorite people in the world, so being invited by her to be on this blog was an honor.

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  14. Exceptionally entertaining, and informative, interview. It's also an encouragement not to give up on my own dream. Rosey, my daughter, and I always knew there would come a day when we could say we knew you before you were famous (from ACFW SC), and now you're on your way. So happy for you. Your book is on my to buy list. God's blessings as you start on this new path.

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    1. My dear friend, Mary! It is so wonderful to hear from you! How are you? How is Rosie? I miss seeing you guys--and the rest of the writing group.
      Thanks for the comment, and the kind words. I'd love to hear more from you. Do me a favor and go to my website and leave a note with your current email address in the comment section. I'll look forward to getting back in touch with you and your wonderful family. Please tell them all I said "Hello." If you do send me a comment and you don't hear from me, please ask Nancy Mehl to give you my email address so you can email me. Thanks.

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  15. Exceptionally entertaining, and informative, interview. It's also an encouragement not to give up on my own dream. Rosey, my daughter, and I always knew there would come a day when we could say we knew you before you were famous (from ACFW SC), and now you're on your way. So happy for you. Your book is on my to buy list. God's blessings as you start on this new path.

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  16. This sounds like a really good read! It's on my to read list!! Thanks for the interview too. It's always so wonderful to learn more about the authors of the books I read.
    Blessings
    Joy
    ibjoy1953 at yahoo dot com

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    1. Joy, I thrilled to have my book on your list of books to read! Thanks! And thank you for commenting. If you ever have any questions about me or my writing, you can go to my website and contact me thru the contact form. I answer every contact. www.booksbylarrywtimm.com

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