Ask the Author: Tim Johnston

“Goodreads friends, I've making the national rounds with THE CURRENT, but if you can't join me in person, shoot me a question here! Full tour sched: http://www.timjohnston.net/events/ ” Tim Johnston

Answered Questions (24)

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Descent, The Current, and Distant Sons wrecked me in the best way. Any advice for someone who aspires to write novels like yours?
Tim Johnston That is music to my ears, Alex. Thanks for checking in with me. My core advice about writing any kind of novel is to read those that "wreck you in the best way" again & again & pay close attention to HOW they go about wrecking you in the best way. I began writing DESCENT when I was living & working on a house up in the CO Rockies & had discovered Cormac McCarthy. So that was a big help with that one!
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It's about time for another one, right? ;) No rush; I am just enjoying *The Current* and concerned I may blow through all the others at the same rate.
Tim Johnston Glad you are into The Current, Lisa. I'm afraid I'm behind schedule with a lil bit of the ol brain cancer. But taking things one day at a time!
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No question; just so thankful to have discovered your writing. Since reading The Descent, I’ve been hooked. You write beautifully, poetically yet not pretentiously. (I wouldn’t have imagined I’d be moved by a description of someone peeling potatoes, but you’ve done it in Distant Sons). You engage the senses; you convey a realness and often a quiet sadness in your characters. The effect is powerful. Thank you!?
Tim Johnston Thank you for this thoughtful commentary, Brandis. It's so gratifying to hear from a reader that I've done what I set out to do!
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Just finished Distant Sons.. and just wanted to tell you how much I liked the book. I love your detail, your characterization, and the way you convey setting. I have put your other books on my to read list. Thank you for sharing your writing. Were you ever a carpenter?
Tim Johnston So glad you enjoyed DS, Harriett, & thank you for letting me know! And yes, carpentry was how I supported myself, & the writing, for a good 25 years.

Cheers & hope you enjoy the other books too!!
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Yes, you are a marvelous writer. I am so happy to have found you. I have finished Descent and The Current and have begun reading Distant Sons. I see you are continuing Sean’s story from Descent. Next, I want Danny back. Yes?
Tim Johnston I'm glad you are enjoying the books, Jill, & thank you for reading! As for Danny Young, all I can say is, keep reading.

Cheers!
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I just wanted to say thank you for recommending Michael Lewis’ book The Premonition: A Pandemic Story. I read it with my mouth hanging open. Wow….we only thought we knew what was happening. Brilliant writing and research. Disturbing! I also have The Furious Hours to read on your recommendation. Any other suggestions?
Tim Johnston Sapiens, by Yuval Noah Harari!
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WOW!! Furious Hours was an amazing read. I knew nothing about it before your recommend. Thank you so much. Do you have any others to recommend while you’re cooking?
Tim Johnston I just read & enjoyed Michael Lewis's Premonition, about the people who foresaw the pandemic & tried very hard to sound the alarm, etc. He's a very good storyteller. It's all about the characters.
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Read all of yours Tim! What's next? I'm about to undergo surgery for cancer and need books for my recovery. You don't happen to have one up your sleeve and ready to pull out of a hat real soon do you?! Thanks. Good luck on your tour.
Tim Johnston Thank you, Jamie, for making your way through the catalogue! Impressive! I wish I could pull one from up the sleeve for your recovery, Jamie, but unfortunately the next one is not quite done cooking yet (to mix my metaphors). I'll keep working & keep good thoughts for your surgery & recovery. If you are a fan of Harper Lee & true crime, I can recommend the non-fiction book Furious Hours, as a very compelling read, with an incredible crime story AND a lot of great biography on Harper Lee.

Best wishes & read on!!
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I don't have a question. I just wanted to tell you how much I love "The Current." I just read it for the second the time (the 1st time was about 2 years ago). Thank you for writing such a beautiful novel! I'm not sure how to articulate this other to say that you characters are so real and you manage to convey heart wrenching events, and life experiences, with very clear, moving, and uncomplicated language. How?
Tim Johnston Thanks so much for reading, and for your very kind words, Barbara. As to your big little question, "How?"...all I can say for my own technique & process is that I try to give every moment & every encounter all the imaginative & observational attention I can muster...& then I revise like crazy.

Cheers & happy reading!
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A comment only, a thank you. At the end of Current you thanked me the reader and now I want to thank you. Thank you for language that made me present in some many rooms, cars and at the river's edge and the river itself. Thank you for writing women who are strong and survivors. ?
Tim Johnston Thanks so much for reading, Terri, and for taking the time to let me know your experience. Keep readin' & all best to you!!
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Just finished The Descent. I live in Summit County Colorado-Dillon. Did you spend any time in Summit County before writing the book or more around Grand Lake?
Tim Johnston Rebecca, I was living in Fraser, in Grand Co., when I began Descent. Thanks for reading & for the question!!
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I did have a question. In the acknowledgments, you mentioned that The Current was based off a short story you wrote called "Water." I have written many short stories and I am fascinated with the process of turning a short story into a novel. Do you have a link to the story you can send? Thanks
Tim Johnston Hi, Rebecca. The only link to that one is here: http://givalpress.com/index.cfm?rsn=2...
Hope that helps!
Cheers,
Tim
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You have ruined me. Such brilliance-now anything I read going forward will be compared to The Current. You have set the bar high and I thank you for it. Many mysteries fall short of depth and character development. Maybe now others can see a new standard and begin to revolt against the James Patterson trend. ????
Tim Johnston Your reaction to The Current makes me very happy Rebecca! The characters inspire me to write, as opposed to the twists & turns of plot, & it's always gratifying when a reader is moved in ways he or she is typically not with traditional mysteries or thrillers. So thank you for that! I don't know if The Current will inspire any kind of readerly revolt, but perhaps more readers will begin to look for books with more depth & character development. That would be good for ALL of us, I think! Thanks for posting ...& most of all thanks for READING!!
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Great book. Still not sure about blanket. When and where did Billy see a/the blanket?
Tim Johnston Thanks, K. Billy never sees the blanket, but he knows that he never heard about a blanket, & so he calls his brother the sheriff to see if that was once of those pieces of evidence that was withheld from the public, so that only the perpetrator, the family, & the authorities would know about it. It's a little vaguely rendered, & you are not the first person to scratch the noggin over it! The new novel, The Current, comes out in Jan '19. Cheers!
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What a gripping story! The way it is told from different viewpoints builds such strong characters out of everyone involved. Sean is the character I related to best. The story is a thriller, drama, suspense, all folded into its 376 pages. Descent is a perfect example of your ability to shine. My hat's off to you Mr. Johnston! Any chance of a sequel?
Tim Johnston Thanks so much for those kind words, Dan--& sorry for the long delay!! I've thought about the sequel possibilities...but the new novel, The Current, follows entirely new lives in a Minnesota setting. Cheers!
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Dear Tim Johnston, I'm halfway through "Descent" and am totally hooked--I will probably finish it in another day or so. The sense of place and setting is so strong. To me, it feels as though the Rockies are a character in this story. They seem so menacing, constantly looming over everything... My question is, what inspired this setting choice? Did you live in Colorado or visit this area before writing the book?
Tim Johnston So glad you enjoyed the book, Camille...or were enjoying it 8 mos ago (!!). In fact, I was living in the Colorado Rockies when I conceived of, & began writing, Descent. The new one, The Current, is set in Minnesota. Cheers!
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Thanks so much for writing DESCENT, Tim!!! It was one of my favorite reads of the year, and one of the best mystery/thrillers I have ever read. The book reminded of both THE COLLECTOR by John Fowles, and INTENSITY by Dean Koontz. Can't wait to read your next book... Just wondering if you grew up in Iowa?
Tim Johnston Thanks, J.K., and sorry for the long delay! I'm flattered by those comparisons. I did indeed grow up in Iowa. The next book, The Current, is set just over the border, in Minnesota. Cheers!
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I don't want to ask a question, I want to tell you how absolutely AWESOME your book "Descent" was. It was the best book I've read so far this year. You have a wonderful way of writing that I have never read before, I loved it! I hope to see more of your books in the (near) future? Sincerely, A Fan
Tim Johnston That's so great to hear, Jowanna--thanks so much for letting me know. I'm working on a new one now that should be out Jan '19. All best to you!

Tim
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Um, so that was fantastic ! Loved the way the story slowly unfolded as well as the Lansdale type dialogue that moved the plot forward. Please tell us that you will bring this brilliance back to us sooner rather than later ?
Tim Johnston Many thanks for that, Tiger. I am under contract with Algonquin again for the next book...so that's a good sign. Shooting for 2017... Fingers crossed.
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Love this book Tim! Read in two days. I have just one question. I didn't understand the clue that Billy left in the El camino for his brother, the sheriff. He wrote "blanket" on his cell. I must have missed something. What was this clue about? Thanks! Deborah
Tim Johnston
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