Tell us about yourself.:
My name is Tim Wright. I am the co-host, along with Dr. Michael Gurian, of The Wonder of Parenting Podcast: A Brain-Science Approach to Parenting. My wife, Jan and I, have been married since 1979. We have two adult children, five grandchildren, and two dachshunds. I enjoy traveling, riding my recumbent bike, Disneyland, reading, especially Fantasy Adventures and British Mysteries, and being a grandpa. I am also a long-suffering fan of the Minnesota Vikings and the Arizona Cardinals, having watched my two teams lose a combined 5 Super Bowls.

Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?:
I grew up in Minneapolis. Even though I've lived in Phoenix for over 40 years, Minneapolis is the setting for my series. Because the series revolves around a thirteen-year-old, I'm delving into my memories as I create the story.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I'm not sure how unusual it is but I generally don't outline the book first. I just start writing with a theme in mind and see where it takes me. The final act doesn't really come together until I get there.

What authors have influenced you?
I grew up in Minneapolis. Even though I've lived in Phoenix for over 40 years, Minneapolis is the setting for my series. Because the series revolves around a thirteen-year-old, I'm delving into my memories as I create the story.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Trust your gut. Do your homework. Let the story come. And then edit edit edit until the story hums.

What is the best advice you have ever been given?
What most writers have been given–write what you know.

What are you reading now?
I generally read British Mysteries but right now I'm reading a book called, Bloody Crimes. It's the story of Lincoln's funeral and the hunt for Jefferson Davis.

What’s your biggest weakness?
Chocolate.

What is your favorite book of all time?
It's an oldie–The Robe by Lloyd C. Douglas.

When you’re not writing, how do you like to spend your time?
Reading; hanging with my spouse and grandkids; riding my recumbent bike.

Do you remember the first story you ever read, and the impact it had on you?
I don't remember the first story but I do have memories of lots of great story books when I was a kid. I was first introduced to compelling stories in Sunday School. I loved those epic stories of David and Goliath, Samson, and many others.

What has inspired you and your writing style?
I got hooked on fantasy adventures in college (Lord of The Rings; The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant; The Shannara Chronicles; etc.). I enjoyed the pace, the world-building, the rich characters, the immersive nature of the story. But I also enjoy tongue-in-cheek humor. Writing a middle grade school fantasy adventure gave me a chance to combine the two.

What are you working on now?
I'm just about to publish book 3 of The Adventures of Toby Baxter: Aloha Riverhome–The GOOD Prophecy (mid-May, 2024) and am currently finishing up the first draft of book 4.

What is your favorite method for promoting your work?
Podcasts/video interviews. I enjoy the immediacy of working with an interviewer and how it personalizes the author and the books.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I've planned for 7 books in this series. So I have a few years left to go.

How well do you work under pressure?
Very. My job as a pastor is one of constantly living under deadlines, change, and interactions with all sorts of situations.

How do you decide what tone to use with a particular piece of writing?
The audience is all important. With this series, pacing, adventure, and humor are essential, along with relatable characters.

If you could share one thing with your fans, what would that be?
Keep reading! I hope that my readers would discover or rediscover the sheer joy of reading. It's good for the soul, the mind, the imagination, and our overall health. Reading introduces us to new worlds, new ideas, new ways of thinking, and new friends.

Tim Wright’s Author Websites and Profiles
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