A Man of Both Science and Letters... Larry Hammersley
As we continue our Summer of '17 Blog Tour, I am delighted to welcome author Larry Hammersley. He grew up in Williams, Indiana, and is the author of numerous books (there are so many it's hard to keep track! But I know there are at least 8!). Here are a few covers:
In addition, he enjoyed a long and successful career as a professional chemist for many years. Let's let him tell you about himself and then get to our discussion:
"I graduated from Purdue in January 1961 with a Bachelor of Science in chemistry and from IU in January 1975 with a Master of Science in chemistry. I worked as a civil service chemist at the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Crane, IN, for forty years, the first twenty years analyzing explosives and the second twenty years analyzing missile battery components.
I was born in Alexandria, IN, May 6, 1938 and we moved to Williams, IN in 1942 when grandpa Hammersley died. Sue and I were married on December 29, 1962 and had three children: Tisha, Eric and Lisa. We have three granddaughters and four grandsons. One of our grandsons, Townes, age nine, lives with us."
Fascinating! Thank you, Larry.
And now to our discussion. Remember, leave a comment with your email address and you will be eligible to win a book from Larry and a $10 Amazon gift card from me. Now to Larry!!
Welcome to my blog, Larry. What is your newest book about?
The Vanishing Shed follows Buddy Wilson throughout his life. At an early age he sees a shed on the horizon but no one else can see it. It vanishes as he walks toward it. The older he gets the closer he can get to the shed before it winks out. As he lives out his life, the shed continually haunts him. He falls in love with Nina during college and they are finally married. At the point of death Buddy can finally enter the shed to learn its meaning.
Where did you get your inspiration for this novel/book/work?
As a child I saw a dark square on the horizon from my childhood home backyard. Also I had a crush on an older girl early on and my college studies in chemistry plays a dominant part.
What kind of research did you do for this book?
My childhood home setting and the days I studied for my BS degree in chemistry at Purdue made the storyline a given.
Did you put real experiences from your research in this story?
Yes, not the romance, but the difficulties I had in my pursuit of a degree in chemistry, my interface with professors and course work many of which contained truth.
What intrigues you most about writing these stories?
I am guilty of living in the past so my attraction for this type story allows me to relive my past times in college.
Tell us a bit about your other books.
I have two science fiction novels out that have excitement in our solar system and beyond. Clean romance occurs in one and a man is reunited with his missing wife and daughter in the other. My first novel was a sweet romance story, A Change of Heart, also centered in a college and work place setting. I have numerous short stories at various places on the internet, all sweet romance stories, many of which are college based.
Which of all your characters is your favorite?
That is tough to center on just one character. I must pick Buddy and Nina in the shed novel in this interview.
How did you get started in this genre?
I started reading and later writing science fiction. Since most of the SF stories included romance I naturally moved into strictly romance as well.
When you have time to read, who are some of your favorite authors?
Early on I read Isaac Asimov. Later I enjoyed Doris Piserchia’s novels. She is still living in her late eighties but doesn’t write anymore. The both wrote science fiction.
Let’s get personal for a moment: Please share with us the most daring thing you’ve ever done.
Favorite meal? City you would love to visit and why?
I suppose exploring some dangerous and unexplored caves in Lawrence and Martin County near where I live. This was when I was in early teens to early twenties.
Favorite Meal: I love Tapioca Pudding and despite that being a dessert when I make a batch it is for six people but I make a meal out of it and eat it all.
City to visit. I would like to return to Nome, Alaska where I was sent on my job a long time ago. I was there in an October, it was rainy but the charisma of Alaska affected me deeply. I would like to take a trip down the Rhine River in Germany. I saw a tape in my German class at Purdue of barges floating down this beautiful river.
Thank you so much, Larry, just fascinating!
To learn more about this author, visit his website at http://larryhammersley.blogspot.com/ Also at Amazon by typing in my name in the search bar of Amazon. You’ll find all their books at this site.
Links:
Higher Mission at http://burstbooks.ca/
A Change of Heart at http://www.wings-press.com
The Silver Dart and The Vanishing Shed at Publishing by Rebecca J. Vickery until they close their doors in the next few months.
A number of short stories are available at Smashwords, Wild Rose Press, and Amazon by typing in my name in the search box.
The Shunammite Woman, an Old Testament character, part fiction/part nonfiction self-published via Create Space and on Amazon.
Thank you so much for visiting “Gina’s World of Good”! Please visit again soon.
I wish you many sales!!
Remember to leave your email with your comment for a chance to win one of Larry's books as well as a $10 Amazon gift card!
