Ask the Author: Terry Linhart
Answered Questions (7)
Terry Linhart
What a fun question! My life hasn't been that mysterious, really, but it hasn't stopped me from hatching some ideas in my mind that would make good plots for mystery books. I have quite a few, but here are some that readily come to mind:
- The western coastline of Michigan is not "guarded" very well. What if foreign spies were coming/going in/out of the USA using a safe house north of Muskegon?
- A woman has dreams over a three year period where a similar man appears and stalks her though he never reaches her. Then, in real life, while working at her job at the local mall, the exact same man shows up for real. The plot could then go any which way.
- Two men compete for all of the same things in high school, with one (we'll call him Greg) winning almost all of the time. The other becomes so bitter that he makes it part of his life purpose to make the adult life of the Greg miserable and a failure. It'd be a great lesson on envy, jealousy, bitterness, revenge, and more.
I love good mysteries. Thanks for asking!
tdl
- The western coastline of Michigan is not "guarded" very well. What if foreign spies were coming/going in/out of the USA using a safe house north of Muskegon?
- A woman has dreams over a three year period where a similar man appears and stalks her though he never reaches her. Then, in real life, while working at her job at the local mall, the exact same man shows up for real. The plot could then go any which way.
- Two men compete for all of the same things in high school, with one (we'll call him Greg) winning almost all of the time. The other becomes so bitter that he makes it part of his life purpose to make the adult life of the Greg miserable and a failure. It'd be a great lesson on envy, jealousy, bitterness, revenge, and more.
I love good mysteries. Thanks for asking!
tdl
Terry Linhart
The one I'm currently working on was actually my first one. True! In 2005 I was speaking to a publisher about what I was noticing among young leaders and he stopped me and asked me to write that book. Well, 11 years later it's going to finally be published. The idea came from what I was observing. Most of my books fill a niche within my field; I see a knowledge gap and want to help others by filling it.
Terry Linhart
Set a goal, pursue it, don't be in a hurry, and have thick skin. Professional writing can feel brutal at times.. and SLOW... so be patient and keep at it. Your best work may be ten years away!
Terry Linhart
For me, it's the discipline that professional writing requires. It forces me to think and to slow down. I love being creative, though it's been musically so most of my life. When the opportunity came to write books, I've transferred those creative energies over to my writing. I'm not a natural writer and so I need good editors and reviewers to help draw out the necessary voice and in an interesting style.
Terry Linhart
Inspiration sparks when I can envision well the audience for whom I am writing. If I understand who they are and why they're reading the book, then I have my target and my purpose/passion for writing.
Terry Linhart
I am terrible at dealing with this. I actually switch to reading and speaking. I read what I've already written, to let me ears hear what is going on. Since I'm a former music major in college, this is how I learn and think best (or at least I've convinced myself of that). Then, using Dragon, I can speak for a while and let the speech become text. It's a kickstart for me.
Terry Linhart
I have two books in process. One, with InterVarsity Press, is for those in Christian ministry. It deals with some personal issues not commonly discussed in books, but often found in those in ministry. It helps people identify and address them for greater effectiveness.
The second book is a textbook on teaching/learning in ministry to young people with Baker Academic. I am the editor for an "all-star" lineup of professors/authors for this book, which will fill a void we have in field.
The second book is a textbook on teaching/learning in ministry to young people with Baker Academic. I am the editor for an "all-star" lineup of professors/authors for this book, which will fill a void we have in field.
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