It is such a delight to welcome the wonderful author and supreme gentleman, Larry Hammersley,
to the blog! Larry, thank you for visiting with us. With your many books and interesting occupation, you have such a dynamic and fascinating life. I am sure readers will have lots of questions for you. Larry will give away two Kindle copies of "Motorcycle Woman" to two of his readers who comment here. Thank you, Larry!
Author Larry Hammersley grew up in Williams, Indiana.
Welcome to my blog, Larry. What is your newest book about?
It is entitled Motorcycle Woman. Her name is Tess McBride. Her father ran off with another
woman and her mother dies a year later of a broken heart. Tess takes to the road on her Harley
Sportster to leave the unhappiness behind and will not allow a man to enter her life. She is an
expert motorcycle mechanic and runs with a gang for a while, but that brings her nothing but
trouble despite her keeping the gang member’s motorcycles repaired. She splits from the gang,
but when she stops to fix stranded biker, Johnnie Parker’s motorcycle, her life changes. She has
never met anyone like Johnnie, but she is reluctant to let him into her life despite him treating
her with respect and of course falling in love with her.
woman and her mother dies a year later of a broken heart. Tess takes to the road on her Harley
Sportster to leave the unhappiness behind and will not allow a man to enter her life. She is an
expert motorcycle mechanic and runs with a gang for a while, but that brings her nothing but
trouble despite her keeping the gang member’s motorcycles repaired. She splits from the gang,
but when she stops to fix stranded biker, Johnnie Parker’s motorcycle, her life changes. She has
never met anyone like Johnnie, but she is reluctant to let him into her life despite him treating
her with respect and of course falling in love with her.
Where did you get your inspiration for this novel/book/work?
Although I never ran with a gang, I owned an old vintage Harley Duoglide and later bought a
new 1967 Harley Electra Glide and rode it to work for over 30 years.
new 1967 Harley Electra Glide and rode it to work for over 30 years.
What kind of research did you do for this book?
uring the many years I owned and rode my motorcycle I learned how they worked and could
do some minor repairs and servicing on it. I learned a lot from a friend who ran a shop in nearby
Bloomington, Indiana. I also learned from a couple of relatives.
do some minor repairs and servicing on it. I learned a lot from a friend who ran a shop in nearby
Bloomington, Indiana. I also learned from a couple of relatives.
Did you put real experiences from your research in this story?
Yes. That involved taking a four-day trip on my motorcycle and stopping by a shop in
Wisconsin. I got their permission to mention their shop in the story. I worked in tidbits of
mechanics I performed and learned from my Bloomington friend.
Wisconsin. I got their permission to mention their shop in the story. I worked in tidbits of
mechanics I performed and learned from my Bloomington friend.
What intrigues you most about writing these stories?
It takes me back to another time and place I’ve either been to or wished I’d been. In the
college based stories I relive some of the experiences I’ve had when in college.
college based stories I relive some of the experiences I’ve had when in college.
Tell us a bit about your other books.
I have two science fiction novels and two romance novels along with a novella
(Motorcycle Woman) and several short romance stories. My mother wrote a lot of poems and I collected those into a thin book (see photo below). They are about her world travels, friends, early jobs, birthdays and other special times. I've included poems I wrote to her, as well. Some are humorous and some are serious reflections. The two romance novels involve clean romance between the man and woman while they are in college and the work place. The science fiction novels cover the man and woman as they explore space in the
solar system and beyond.
(Motorcycle Woman) and several short romance stories. My mother wrote a lot of poems and I collected those into a thin book (see photo below). They are about her world travels, friends, early jobs, birthdays and other special times. I've included poems I wrote to her, as well. Some are humorous and some are serious reflections. The two romance novels involve clean romance between the man and woman while they are in college and the work place. The science fiction novels cover the man and woman as they explore space in the
solar system and beyond.
Which of all your characters is your favorite?
That is a difficult question as I like all my characters. My main female character, Jody,
in my first novel, 'A Change of Heart', and Buddy, my main character in 'The Vanishing Shed',
the second novel come to mind. Surprisingly, a minor character, Marcy, in my first
novel who lost her quest for Leroy’s heart to Jody, is a character I felt so sorry for
that I wrote a short story where she finds romance with the quarterback, Ross. I must
include The Shunammite Woman, an Old Testament Bible character. I love this woman
and have a nonfiction/fiction novella out about her.
in my first novel, 'A Change of Heart', and Buddy, my main character in 'The Vanishing Shed',
the second novel come to mind. Surprisingly, a minor character, Marcy, in my first
novel who lost her quest for Leroy’s heart to Jody, is a character I felt so sorry for
that I wrote a short story where she finds romance with the quarterback, Ross. I must
include The Shunammite Woman, an Old Testament Bible character. I love this woman
and have a nonfiction/fiction novella out about her.
How did you get started in this genre?
I read science fiction when I was growing up and always had an interest in astronomy.
As a child I liked to fantasize about female movie stars and would dream of them
falling for me. Should I have said that?
As a child I liked to fantasize about female movie stars and would dream of them
falling for me. Should I have said that?
When you have time to read, who are some of your favorite authors?
Science fiction author Doris Piserchia who I believe is still living. Jacqueline
Lichtenberg who wrote the Sime/Gen series and who gave me a critique on a short
story and encouraged me to keep writing.
Lichtenberg who wrote the Sime/Gen series and who gave me a critique on a short
story and encouraged me to keep writing.
Let’s get personal for a moment: Please share with us the most daring
thing you’ve ever done.
thing you’ve ever done.
Favorite meal? City you would love to visit and why?
I would say exploring an unexplored cave where crawling was the only option.
Favorite meal involves a desert, Tapioca Pudding which I usually make myself.
The city. I would like to return to a place where my job sent me years ago.
That was Nome, Alaska. The charisma of Alaska overwhelmed me despite my being there in October when it was rainy, unseasonably warm and muddy as the streets were not paved when I was there.
That was Nome, Alaska. The charisma of Alaska overwhelmed me despite my being there in October when it was rainy, unseasonably warm and muddy as the streets were not paved when I was there.
To learn more about Larry Hammersley, visit his thwebsite
at http://larryhammersley.blogspot.com/
You’ll find all his books at Amazon by typing in Larry Hammersley.
at http://larryhammersley.blogspot.com/
You’ll find all his books at Amazon by typing in Larry Hammersley.
Here are his links:
http://www.amazon.com/Change-Heart-Larry-Hammersley-ebook/dp/B00CBLF41G/
ref=sr_1-8?s=books&ie=UTF8&keywords=larry+hammersley
ref=sr_1-8?s=books&ie=UTF8&keywords=larry+hammersley
The novels The Vanishing Shed and The Silver Dart are only
available from the author
while supplies last as the publisher has closed their doors.
available from the author
while supplies last as the publisher has closed their doors.
Inquire at lhammersley@comcast.net
Short stories are available through Amazon by typing in author’s
name Larry Hammersley. A few short stories are available at
Smashwords again by typing in the author’s name.
Thank you so much for visiting, Larry. Best wishes in your writing!
name Larry Hammersley. A few short stories are available at
Smashwords again by typing in the author’s name.
Thank you so much for visiting, Larry. Best wishes in your writing!
Hi Larry, welcome! It is so great to have you visit the blog. I am sure readers will have lots of questions. I have one, to start off with--of all your heroes, which is your favorite and why? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteRegina: As I said earlier in the interview a choice of all my characters is tough. I will go with Buddy, my character in The Vanishing Shed. I've used some real life happenings in my own life, both in childhood and college life. I have given Buddy additional character traits I would like to have. He is a sensitive person and cares for others. He wants to be accepted by others, especially Nina, his love interest and Willie who didn't like Buddy early on.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your new book, Larry! Lots of female riders will likely enjoy reading this. Hope the book does well for you.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Linore. I mailed a copy to the shop/dealer in Black River Falls, WI. maybe it will get some attention there. I had stopped there back in 1971 on a four day trip. They gave me permission to use their name in the story. I hope things are proceeding on your movie.
DeleteGreat interview! It's been awhile and I enjoyed "catching up with you," Larry. I need to catch up with your books as well. I've enjoyed the ones I've read in the past! By the way, I love tapioca pudding too. I used to make it every Sunday evening and put food coloring in it to make it a different color each week. I'm kind of weird that way. LOL!
ReplyDeleteYes, we've been out of touch but I spot you on the net now and then. I enjoyed the three books of yours I've read. Making Tapioca Pudding is really labor intensive. I have a small booklet on just that pudding and I want to try some of the other recipes too. Thanks for coming by.
DeleteI've read several of Larry Hammersley's books. I'm intrigued by his ability to write Science Fiction. He knows how to draw the reader into the scene. But, my favorite book was "The Vanishing Shed." It was a nail biter, kept me on pins and needles to the very end.
ReplyDeleteLaurie: Thanks for stopping by. The Vanishing Shed was a labor of love and I finally got it published via Rebecca's company. It suffered many battle scars and rejections otherwise before being accepted. Motorcycle Woman is clean and Tess can take care of herself as you read the story.
DeleteHi Larry, Congratulations on all of your books. I've read them and recommend them for those who enjoy clean, sweet romance tucked into an interesting plot whether it's science fiction or contemporary.
ReplyDeleteThank you Gail and I'll be waiting for your new story. Motorcycle Woman is clean and there is a lot of motorcycle lingo, mechanical as best I can remember the many years I rode and associated with mechanics. I needed to do that to flesh out Tess who is an expert mechanic on old bikes. As always I appreciate your support of my writings. I'll put you in the drawing for a digital copy like the others who comment.
DeleteLarry's books are always so sweet and takes you back to a "feel good" space. I've read about all of his books and recommend them to anyone who desires a safe, nostalgic moment. :)
ReplyDeleteMiss Mae: Thanks for dropping by and your kind words. Motorcycle Woman contains my scant knowledge of motorcycles and mechanics as I road my Harley(s) to work for over thirty-five years. No, I never ran with a gang and did not have romance like Johnnie in the story with Tess. It is written from the stand point of Tess McBride, the Motorcycle Woman.
DeleteThank you, Larry for visiting. And thank you, readers, for your comments.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to Joyce and Gail, winners of Larry's drawing. Visit again soon and enjoy the rest of your summer.
Be sure to visit November 5 when Gail Pallotta is our featured author!
Thank you for sharing about :-)
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