There is one thing I've learned in life. I always joke around and say, "If I had nine days a week and seventy-two hours in a day, I might get everything done I need to do and still have enough time to average five hours of sleep."
I saw a meme recently that said, "I added up all the time needed to complete my current TBR pile. I will officially complete reading all the books on my 842nd birthday."
I know the feeling.
Of course, I know having enough time if only the days and weeks were longer is fallacy. Someone or something would fill up the time and then some, and we'd still be behind.
The point is, life is short. The Bible calls it a vapor (James 4:14). Compared to eternity, it truly is. A teenager may look at an old person and think otherwise. However, the old person knows better, for he was once young and ignorant too.
This is why we must live life to the fullest, and that means living for God daily, hourly, every minute (Luke 9:23-27) by following His Son.
Our next guest on the Florida Front Porch gets this, I believe. I want everyone to welcome another fellow Word Weaver to the ABTS family, Tom Hall!
Tom, we have a tradition here, besides the virtual porch, the virtual sweet tea, the virtual ceiling fans, and the virtual Adirondack chairs. We ask each guest to give us a quick bio. In fifty words or less, who is Tom Hall?
I am a retired Marine with over twenty-five years and several continents behind me. I am also a retired state law enforcement officer with over eighteen years and several investigations and trials in the rearview mirror. I have taught at the elementary, undergraduate, and graduate levels.
Before you ever got a notion of becoming a writer/author, how old were you, and what were you doing in that time of your life?
I am the quintessential late bloomer. I didn’t really start writing seriously until I was 60. Which actually works in my writing. When I detail a felony arrest in one of my books, I’ve actually done one of those things. Further, when I describe the morale on a nuclear submarine, I’ve seen it with my own eyes. I started because frankly, I wasn’t ready to sit on the porch and watch life go by.
What educational background do you have?
My educational background mirrors my late-bloomer approach to life. I did not have a college degree until the year before I retired from the Marines. A pretty good trick under Department of Navy rules for a commissioned officer. Then I spent ten years in state law enforcement before I got around to getting a Master’s in Juvenile Psychology. A few years later, I accidentally achieved a Ph.D in Criminal Justice.
I didn’t know you had a doctorate…See? You learn something new every day.
I know you're married. Tell a little about your family.
I am married to the same wonderful woman (Patty) I met over forty-three years ago. Amazingly, she has remained through several worldwide deployments, being the typical wife waiting on the Trooper to come home, and through it all kept the team together. We have a daughter (the lawyer) and two sons (the veterans).
Does she get a Purple Heart for sticking with you all these years? :-)
For all the pet lovers out there, answer this question: Do you have any?
Our home is one of a constantly rotating collection of pets and animals. From horses to cats to dogs. In the middle school years, our kids seemed to collect an assortment of animals, including a cow for 4H. Our most endearing pet is Scooby, who is a massive Great Dane (what else would a dog named Scooby be?). At present we are temporarily hosting an Australian Shepard called, Chilli Dog. Also, the world's most arrogant and overweight cat is called….cat. The cat has allowed us to feed her and remain in our home with her.
I saw a sign one time that read: “Dogs think they’re human. Cats think they’re God.” I have yet to meet a dog or cat that does not fit that description, so I get it.
You’ve done a great deal already, and I’m sure you’ve cross off a lot of items, but remains on your bucket list? Or do you not have one?
I don’t really have a bucket list. Frankly, any sort of planning for this sort of thing really rests with Patty. I kind of am interested in having her see some of the things I already have. Personally, I am too busy with the day-to-day business of life to have a bucket list, or to put it another way, the honey-do list tends to occupy my time right now.
Do you have a favorite line from a movie or book? If so, what is it and explain why it is special to you?
My all-time favorite line from a movie is from Jaws. When Roy Schneider’s character sees the shark for the first time he says, “You’re going to need a bigger boat.” And that goes to my personal delight in seeing, hearing, or reading about common people placed in extraordinary circumstances.
If you had your life to live over again, besides being an author (which we guess would be your obvious answer), what profession would you choose?
That’s an interesting question. One for which I do not have a good answer. From a secular level, I must turn to Hunter Thompson: “Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming “Wow! What a Ride!” From a Christian perspective, whatever the adventure, it must have our Father in mind first and foremost. I don’t really ponder about “Oh what might have been.” I’ve lived a blessed life starting with an upbringing that would cause Andy Griffith and Opey to be envious. My hometown in Michigan was so boring that I couldn’t wait to escape, which is what I did at seventeen when I left for the Marines. Subsequently, of course, there are some regrets, like not getting my formal education prior to becoming a fossil – that would have been nice. I do admit a small, slight twinge of possible regret the first time I stepped out of a C-130 and parachuted onto the drop zone at Fort Benning. However, upon a successful landing, I could only think, “Wow, what a ride!” I used to think that I was completely in control, but looking back it's evident to me that I was just a common guy tripping through extraordinary circumstances. I also can see a divine aspect to this having done some exceptionally dangerous things and through no action on my part managed to survive. The bottom line is that I lived the life that I was afforded (or stumbled into) and in the closing years managed to come to an understanding it wasn’t about me, it was about Him. My guardian angel is thinking, “It's about time.”
Besides storytelling, what talents do you have?
I have developed–or perhaps recognized–a talent for listening and observing. It has taken me years to learn to shut up and listen. To stop and observe this wonderful place and time. I really envy one of the Word Weavers of Lake County (FL) authors, Tracy Smoak. The talent, the patience, and the skill to capture those wonderful photographs. What she sees and captures has eluded me for almost a lifetime. Too busy moving from one point to another, I forgot to stop and see. However, in keeping with my late-blooming skill sets, I am trying to see and hear things that used to get lost in the hustle.
Do you ever receive negative reviews from readers? If so, how do you respond when you see them?
Oh goodness, I’ve had some negative reviews. They don’t really bother me. I did enjoy the negative comment from someone in England who took exception to my description of the events leading up to the Battle of Concord. All I can say is, next time, tell King George to lay off the taxes. Another reader took exception to my naming the submarine in Liberty’s Echo the USS Concord. His contention was that there was no USS Concord. By the way, it is a fictional story. Wait until he realizes that the supply ship, the USS Duportail doesn’t exist either. You will have to look up the name to see its significance.
Okay, so I did look it up. Now, I wonder how many readers will…
As a writer, if you had one thing you would do over again, what would it be?
As a writer, I think that I probably should have started earlier. However, that works against my writing in the present. Much of what I write is based on my personal experiences. To be clear, I am not writing autobiographical stuff, but rather using my experience to place common men and women in extraordinary events. I would like to think that my background allows me to fully explore the characters, how they react, and why they do what they do.
Tell us about what project you are currently working on.
My current project(s) are kind of all over the place. I have several books written but in one case, I need to write the prologue book – one that sets the rest into perspective. This is the Elliot (anglicization of the name Elisha) Heston series. The first book in the series is nearly ready. In this series, biblical truth is applied to a real-world situation. Since you asked, Book One is Ephesian Sunsets, where I deal with the clinical depression of a main character. Book Two is Dining with Pharisees, which deals with public corruption and a serial firesetter. Book Three is The Isaiah Decree, about artificial intelligence and murder at the Bushnell Technical Institute (only we central Floridians will get the humor).
What surprised you the most during the research for the book you are currently working on?My research for The Isaiah Decree led me to the importance of language. This might seem strange coming from a guy who wants to write novels, but the deeper I dug into the current rage about artificial intelligence the more I realized that “words and their meaning” was the key to the evolution of artificial intelligence. Then, looking at the issue biblically, we find – “In the beginning was the Word…” When God escorted Adam around the Garden of Eden, He asked Adam to name the various items and plants…the beginning of language. Our perception of reality is tied to how we describe it. In the end, words matter.
Oh, I have an entire talk around this topic. As well as with why Adam was tasked with naming all the animals.
Tell us about your writing day. How do you go about writing?
I am an early riser. This comes from years of physical training with the troops, who train typically in the morning before it gets too hot. Also, being an early riser affords me the opportunity to sit and think in some solitude before the mad morning rush.
Knowing what you know now about writing, publishing, etc., what piece of advice would you give to the person thinking about writing that novel they have always wanted to pursue since they were young, or the person who believes they have a non-fiction book in them that would be helpful to others?
Get a friend, get a beta group, and join Word Weavers. Finally, jump in.
Has your writing crossed over into other areas? If so, how? If not, will it?
I have already published in professional and scientific journals. Most of that work would put most people to sleep. So, my writing has crossed from academic and scientific work to fiction. By the way, fiction is much harder. Another aspect is that I have had to learn to be descriptive in my writing as opposed to legally accurate. There are no official homicide reports that start out, “It was a dark and stormy night.” Interestingly, though, a few of the homicides that I investigated did occur on a dark and stormy night.
How do you come up with the names for your characters?
They are derivatives of actual person’s names. Those who are in the know, realize that I am using them as my characters. So far, it has been met with good acceptance. On a possibly interesting note, the real person behind Colonel Sutton in Liberty’s Echo called me to say how disappointed he was to have been killed within the first two paragraphs. We both had a good laugh. Spoiler alert: Some of my bad guys are people that I have met, and my appraisal of their character matches their names. If one cared to look into it, my protagonist in Liberty’s Echo is loosely translated from Korean as “Mangy Wolf.” But these names are not derivative. They are known only to me.
As a writer, what is “success” to you? And has that “definition” changed over time as you have traveled down the writer’s path?
Looking back, have you ever wondered if choosing a different genre would have worked better for you, as a writer? Have you ever thought about switching genres, or writing in different genres?
Yes! Writing in the Christian Genre is a very niche market. Writing non-romance stories in the Christian genre is minuscule. Christian historical fiction might be another route, and I have some ideas. In the end, to me, it is about foundational beliefs, not success. I’m pretty sure that every struggling author has said something similar, but going back to a previous question, I write for a purpose.
If you had one person you could meet (think outside the Bible here) and could spend as much time as you wanted with that individual, who would it be and why?
Benjamin Franklin. I suspect that Ben was an astute observer. We also know that he was an accomplished orator. Most of my students think that Ben and I hung around Philadelphia back in the day. Not saying I’m old or anything. Regardless, to have a sit down with Mr. Franklin and just talk about what those crazy founding fathers were thinking would be great. Also, I would love to drive him around and show him what their efforts resulted in. Could you imagine his terror sitting in the front passenger seat on the interstate? Do you mean you can travel from Philadelphia to Washington D.C. in a single day?
If you had one person you could meet (think ONLY Bible characters here) and could spend as much time as you wanted with that individual, who would it be besides Jesus, and why?
I would pick Thomas. Not because we share a common name, but because I think that I understand him. I cannot help but think that I also would be skeptical of all those “sightings” of Jesus after the crucifixion. Yet, when shown the truth (and literally touching it), he went on to become one of the most adamant believers. Thomas takes some hits in history for his doubts, but I don’t believe that I am any better in the end.
What’s the craziest thing you have ever done?
I have never done anything crazy. I have always carefully analyzed the situation, weighing different aspects of a probable result against harm or injury. See, I told you I wrote fiction! The real answer is car surfing. That’s an underrated sport of standing on a car roof while the driver speeds down a road. Those that survive go on to do other spectacularly stupid things.
I believe that’s why TikTok was invented. To display the “other spectacularly stupid things” people do.
Why do you live where you live?
I live in Floral City, which is probably the last of the cattle country in western Florida. I live here because that’s where the state sent me when I was a trooper. Prior to that, I lived in Brandon, because the Marines sent me to Central Command. Prior to that, we lived in Japan, because that’s where the Marines sent me. The fact is, someone else is always telling me where to go. Particularly those who review my books. Since retirement from the Marines, the State, and academia, I kind of like not having to move for once. So sleepy little Floral City is fine….for now.
When you are looking for a book to read, what are the things that are important to you?
I am a voracious reader. In that light, I find myself having to limit my searches to at least four stars and good reviews.
What Bible scripture has impacted your life the most, and why?
Romans 1:19-20. The universe is a revelation of God. For me, it is a reminder that for all the supposed intelligence we think we have, God and His creation remain a testament to His Glory. Further, and this really comes out in my writing, we remain small, minuscule players in a much larger cosmic drama. Ernest K. Gann wrote in his book, Fate is the Hunter, “For all our technological prowess we remained small and insignificant men who stink in the sun.”
To further elaborate, my favorite verses change over time with me. Occasionally one can hear me shout, “Oh, that’s what that means.” It's been a process over time.
If you had life to do all over again, would there be any changes? If so, what would they be?
This is kind of a difficult question for me. If I had to do it all over again, me being a gazillionaire would be kind of cool. But….then I would have to give up something I did. I am not sure that I would be willing to trade the places I went or the things I did for something else. On top of that, I would have to relinquish working with and knowing some of the greatest people our country has ever produced. I was never a hero, but I met quite a few. Interestingly, the real heroes never bragged about what they did. In fact, they kind of acted a little embarrassed about it. I had adult beverages with Michael Durant who was the helicopter pilot shot down and captured by the Somali insurgents. Two Delta Force operators died and subsequently earned the Medal of Honor for their actions to save him. This is all detailed in the movie Blackhawk Down. I found him to be thoughtful and humble. A common man violently thrust into extraordinary circumstances.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers about you, or anything we didn’t cover?
My biggest kick in life is helping others. Looking back I see a trend of service to a nation, to a state, to a community, to the church, etc. That’s why I really like the writing community. I get to read other believers' books, steal their ideas (just kidding) and learn from them. I like the Word Weavers format, and while I have no interest in being an editor, I do enjoy beta reading for others and offering hopefully good advice. To that point, the Word Weavers of Lake County (FL) have been one of the best and biggest blessings in my life. Below grandkids but certainly above mowing the yard.
This is another weird thing about me. I am not on social media for the most part. But, I can be reached at thomashall887@gmail.com. Ephesian Sunsets will come out later this year.
Readers, you can find Tom's books on Amazon, so check them out, and if you have questions, or if you want to find out if and when he will have social media, a newsletter, etc., send him a quick note via email.
Thanks for stopping by, and as always, May God Bless America, but more importantly, May America Bless God first.
Kevin
PS - And just in case you didn't know, Kevin's Blake Meyer Thriller series is getting a reboot! Book 1, 30 Days Hath Revenge, came out in April 2023! Book 2, Triple Time, will be out very, very soon (by the middle of June)! Books 3, 4, 5, & 6 will be out this year! You can keep track by visiting his website: www.ckevinthompson.com!
A Clandestine Mission.
A Cryptic Message.
A Chaste Moment.
Blake Meyer dreamed of a peaceful end to a dutiful career with the FBI. Married now, his life was taking him in a new direction – a desk job. He would be an analyst. Ride it out until retirement. Be safe so he could enjoy family life.
But when a notable member of the IRA is murdered in his London flat, Blake’s secretive past propels him into middle of an international scheme so twisted and sadistic, it will take everything Blake possesses – all of it – to save the United States from a diabolical terrorist attack.
