Tim Smith interview - authortrek.com

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Tim Smith interview, author of Memories Die Last, Never Trust Your Dreams and The Vendetta Factor.

Where were you born and raised?

I was born in Middletown, Ohio, USA, but grew up in Cleveland, Ohio. I currently reside in Dayton, Ohio.

What was it that first got you into writing and when did you start writing?

I developed an interest in writing in high school as a form of creative expression. I spent the next twenty-some years writing articles, reviews and a lot of short stories that never saw daylight, but I had one particular story idea that wouldn't go away, one that I knew I wanted to do someday. About seven years ago I challenged myself to either write this story or stop talking about it. It went on to become my first published book, Memories Die Last. Two books later, I'm still at it.

Which writers have influenced you the most?

I've always been a fan of the classic crime noir thrillers of Raymond Chandler, Dashiell Hammett and Mickey Spillane, and I suppose their work influenced me the most, especially Chandler's Philip Marlowe stories. I was also influenced by Ian Fleming and to a lesser extent, Robert B. Parker.

What kind of things do you write?

I write mystery/thrillers about a former CIA agent named Nick Seven who left the agency and relocated to the Florida Keys. He wants to stay out of the intrigue and adventure that were a part of his former life as a spy, but in each story something comes along to pull him back into action. Nick has appeared in three thrillers to date, Memories Die Last, Never Trust Your Dreams and my latest, The Vendetta Factor.

What are you working on now?

I'm currently working on two projects. One is another Nick Seven thriller, tentatively titled Jinx Money. The other is a romantic comedy told from the man's perspective, which I don’t think has been done before.

What is your writing day like?

When I'm in the mood to write I load up the stereo with cool jazz, like Count Basie or Oscar Peterson, then review what I've written the previous day, to get back into the flow of the story. Writing is a great stress reliever from the kind of work I do everyday, allowing me to lose myself in whatever adventure my characters are into.

What's the most exciting thing about writing for you?

The fun I have letting my imagination run amok, especially when other people like what I've written. Creating something that wasn't there before is very exciting, especially if it still looks good a couple of weeks or months later.

What's the most frustrating thing about writing for you?

When my imagination hits a speed bump and I can't come up with something new, or if I read something I've written and realize I'm not happy with it.

What's the best piece of feedback that you've had from your audience?

When someone tells me how much they like my characters and the way I describe the atmosphere and settings. I often hear readers say that they felt like they were right there with the characters. The best feedback, though, is when someone tells me they can’t wait to read my next one. It doesn't get much better than that.

Do you write for a particular audience, or is your first priority to satisfy your own creativity?

Satisfying my own desire to write and create has always come first, as I never thought my stories would be published. I do, however, write for a particular audience, the kind of people who just want to lose themselves in an entertaining story that doesn't comment on the human condition or preach a lesson. I look on the types of books I write as escapist fare, and with that aim in mind I don’t really write for the critics, just average people like me who enjoy an entertaining, well-crafted story.

Do you have a homepage?

Readers can visit www.timsmithauthor.com to learn more about my books and see some photographs I've taken of scenes where the stories take place.

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