Larry Timm Talks about Murder for Emily’s Sake

Please welcome debut author Larry Timm whose recently released novel, Murder for Emily’s Sake, boasts four-and-a-half stars on Amazon!

Here’s a bit about the book …

Murder for Emily’s Sake: 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. And after their caskets are in the ground, they will die…for Emily’s sake.

Those three women, committed to defending the lives of the unborn, must now fight for their own lives.

Drawing for an autographed copy: Intrigued by the teaser? Enter the drawing for an autographed print copy of Murder for Emily’s Sake. Just leave a comment at the end of this post along with your email address. Drawing ends at midnight on Saturday, September 2 (CST). Open only to those living in the United States (USA).

So, Larry, why did you choose to write suspense? It’s not only my favorite genre to read, it’s a great way to grab readers on both sides of their brains and keep them engaged from chapter to chapter.

When did you realize you wanted to be a novelist? It first happened when I was a child. But it’s only in the last ten years that I took steps to make this desire a reality by writing a novel.

What sparked your idea for Murder for Emily’s Sake? I wanted to wrestle with the dangers that threaten or otherwise devalue the sanctity and sacredness of this precious gift from God called Life.

The concept for the story setting and some of the characters popped into my head one day, and I knew I had to start writing and see what happened. I also wanted to show the incredible bravery and commitment of people who stand up and defend Life.

What did you find most challenging in writing this novel? My biggest concern was that I develop the characters in a fair and realistic manner … complex, yet understandable. I wanted to show people reacting to whatever was happening in a way that readers could identify with, even if they didn’t agree with the choices the character was making.

For me, the biggest character challenge was Emily’s father, Jack. His mind was so consumed by hate, yet I wanted him to be “real.” In the mind of any sane person, there is no justification for the hideous acts he was planning. Yet I wanted the reader to step into his shoes and see how his mind led him to do what he was doing. I wanted readers to feel his pain, while loathing his actions.

What details/choices of material in the story relate to your own life (such as hobbies, professions, etc.) or special research? I’ve been a preacher for years, but at one time I was also a licensed funeral director. Things in Murder for Emily’s Sake draw from my experiences in both professions. Certain aspects of funerals, caskets, and other funeral-related items I referred to in the book are things I know about. I’ve also been in a morgue and a forensic science unit. And, of course, as the father of a daughter, I can relate to Lindsay’s dad and his emotions when his daughter is threatened.

What do you hope readers will take away from your story? I want readers satisfied that they just enjoyed a wild ride. I hope the lingering adrenaline rush will leave them wanting to read other books I write. But, in addition to being entertained by the story, I hope they will walk away with a renewed appreciation for the gift of life as a sacred blessing from God and be reminded that Life is not only fragile, it is also precious.

What do you like best about the writing life? The whole creative process gets my juices flowing. Since I’m a seat-of-the-pants writer, the thrill of creating, exploring, and watching a story unfold before my eyes is consuming. I love it!

When not writing, what do you most like to do? Hang out with my family.

What is your favorite food? Pizza buffets are one of God’s greatest provisions to man!

What advice would you offer to writers? No one else can write your stories. So, whether writing is your career or your hobby, pour your heart and soul into every story as though it’s your unique creation. Because it is! Writers just starting out must decide if they are willing to merely live with the warm and fuzzy idea of being a writer, or dedicate themselves to doing the hard work of being a writer. Write … a lot!

About Larry Timm: Husband, father, and writer, Larry is also a preaching minister with the Morton Christian Church in Morton, Illinois.

For more information: Find Larry’s website at www.booksbylarrywtimm.com

And don’t forget to enter the drawing! Leave a comment at the end of this post along with your email address. Drawing ends at midnight on Saturday, September 2 (CST). Open only to those living in the United States (USA).