Ex-fisherman, ex-contractor, now a writer! Quite some diversions.. So Larry, do you consider yourself to be of an explorer personality type?
Absolutely! I love to travel and see and learn new things. I’ve traveled to Iceland, Eastern Europe, Curacao, Costa Rica, Alaska, Hawaii, Baja and the U.S. from Florida and D.C. to California and Washington state. I also love where I live, in the swamp of the Guadalupe River delta on the Texas Gulf Coast. I have some acreage with an orchard and a large garden where I grow the fruit I love and numerous veggies. I love birds and flowers, and most of the critters I share the swamp with. I seldom hunt anymore, except to protect myself, garden and orchard. When younger, I hunted out of necessity. These days, I love to watch the animals. I don’t need to kill them for food, therefore, I don’t. They provide more pleasure by just their presence.
Your readers would love to know ‘what a typical day in your life looks like’?
As a commercial fisherman, then a contractor, I got up early and went to bed late. These days I like to sleep in. A well-rested mind and body are better for writing and book marketing and all the chores which go along with that process. I spend a lot of time on the computer, but I also have chores around the house which always include yard work and a not so little remodeling project inside the house. A bathroom remodel is currently in progress. I love to cook, so most days include a little cooking. I currently have a pie shell awaiting for my famous lemon meringue filling utilizing home-grown lemons. Day trips include maybe kayaking, a walk on the beach or a walk down the road behind the house.
What was your inspiration behind finally taking up writing? Tell us something about Into Autumn?
I never planned on becoming a writer. I wrote my first book many years ago to try to salvage my commercial fishing career. That attempt failed. My second book was written because I had a lot of stuff on my chest which I could not let go of. This book is autobiographical in nature and will tell you probably a little more about me than you wish to know, but I got a chip off my shoulder in the process. My girlfriend calls it my “rant” though I still refer to it as my autobiography. I admit, it does tell-it-like-it-is from only my perspective. As far as “Into Autumn”, again I did not plan to write a book. I woke up one morning with a story in my head. I sat down at the computer and started typing. Before I knew it, I had written 300 pages. My girlfriend, Ellen, read the manuscript, which lead to a major re-write and another 100 pages. At this point, with a little praise and encouragement from Ellen, I decided I had written a fairly good book. A few edits later and with some input from others, I decided I had written a book which had possibilities to make it to the New York Times bestseller list. I set this as my eventual goal and published the book and began the marketing process. The reviews have been good, so I continue to press forward with an extensive marketing program which I am handling almost totally myself.
Are you currently working on any other book?
I plan to work on a cookbook with my best friend and a sequel to “Into Autumn”. Both books are already started and will be worked on more seriously as I get the marketing going to my satisfaction on “Into Autumn”. I eliminated the three final chapters of “Into Autumn” before publishing, so it is not quite the cliffhanger the original manuscript was, but it still demands a sequel. My love for cooking, some old family recipes as well as some of my own concoctions demand a cookbook as well.
What interests you other than writing?
I live in a place where many people like to vacation to, but I still like to venture out of the swamp to see new places. Ellen and I also like to kayak, fish, cook together, build things, go to movies, and just relax from time to time to enjoy each other’s company.
What kind of books do you like to read? Tell us something about your favorite authors?
I don’t read scary books anymore. I dream too much most nights, and I don’t like nightmares from scary stories. I like a good Sci-fi, but lately have been drawn to other genres. A good mystery is nice. I like fairly simple storylines that are easy to read. It’s too hard to keep up with a complicated story, though a few years ago I read “War and Peace”. I find too many stories these days, where it is difficult to understand who is saying what in a story. I know it clutters up the text, but I want to clearly know who is speaking in a story. Something simple like “Tom Sawyer” would be nice. Well, maybe not quite that simple. I tried an erotica book not long ago. I had no trouble following that one, but there was not much of a story. It has to have a decent story for me to enjoy.
You have written both in fiction and self-help category. We hate to ask this but which genre is your favorite?
Fiction, with the exception of my upcoming cookbook, will likely be the genre I will write in. There is a lot of room for expressing yourself through characters without worrying about the accuracy of statistics. Whatever I choose to be true and real is what I want to be true and real. I can also fantasize if I so choose.
Share with us one of the best review that you have ever received?
“Into Autumn” has received many great reviews and I would like to share many, but just to share one is difficult. Several reviews point to different sections which the reader liked which gave me a fuzzy feeling inside when I read the review. To pick one? I guess it would have to be: “This book was insanely awesome, it had a lot of grit to it. The subject content was amazing. The detail was super impressive.” by Amazon customer. I wish I knew who the reviewer was. I would like to thank him or her for such a wonderful review. All I know is that they are an Amazon customer. You can find it on Amazon to verify the review. Again, to have a perfect stranger call my book “insanely awesome” gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling inside. That someone really loved my book is in itself “awesome!”
(My! My! How did I screw up the page formatting?)
How do you promote your work? How QuotesRain helped you in your book promotions and sales, would you like to refer this platform to your author friends?
I am doing everything I can think of to get my book out “there”. I created my own book trailer video, I created my own webpage, I created my new Facebook fan page, I’ve scheduled book signings and book festival events, I’ve become a tweeter, I have amassed a huge selection of photos to attract attention to my messages, and I have created dozens of webpage sites like QuotesRain to give my book the exposure I need to get the word out about my book. I believe QuotesRain will be a major platform for me to get the word out about “Into Autumn”. Thank you QuotesRain for all your help.
Do you have any message for your readers?
I believe I have created a timely book for the state of our country, but it is much more than that. I have created a story almost anyone can enjoy. It is not all “gloom and doom”. It is not all “blood and guts”. It is a story of love and camaraderie. It is a story of making the best out of a bad situation. It will open your eyes. It may make you cry, but I believe it will also make you laugh. The genre may appear that the book is mostly for men, but I truly believe more women than men will enjoy “Into Autumn”. Read and enjoy!
