Timothy Reinhardt's Page

Cold Coffee Press Spotlight Interview With Author Timothy Reinhardt

Timothy Reinhardt received his undergraduate education at the University of California, Davis, and received his master's from San Francisco State University.

A veteran of the pharmaceutical industry, Reinhardt has travelled the world extensively and studied many diverse cultures. His travels, coupled with his childhood, shape his perspective on life and provide him with unique writing ideas.

Reinhardt's previous literary works include short stories and essays, and he recently completed his novel Not Far from Nothing. Reinhardt also co-wrote the award-winning screenplay for the short independent film Crackers.

His witty and sarcastic sense of humor is evident in the dark comedy of his stories.

Reinhardt is part owner of Exit 135 Film Productions.

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Interview:

What makes you proud to be a writer from Esopus? I grew up in Esopus.  Yes, that’s right, my hometown ended in pus.  Esopus helped shape my unique sense of humor, which is central to my writing.

What or who inspired you to become a writer? Reading classical literature inspired me to be a writer.  Whether it was the comedy of Oscar Wilde or horror of Poe, it captivated me that writer could tell stories that last through time.

When did you begin writing with the intention of becoming published? Although I have always written short stories, I did not write with the intent of being published until after I co-wrote a screenplay.  While watching audiences laugh at my humor, I was finally filled with enough confidence to finalize my stories into a book.

Did your environment or upbringing play a major role in your writing and did you use it to your advantage? I grew up the fifth of five, in a dysfunctional family.  That upbringing shaped my sense of humor.  My second book, Not Far From Nothing, is set in my hometown.

Do you come up with your title before or after you write the manuscript? I normally draft several titles while writing my manuscript. 

Please introduce your genre and why you prefer to write in that genre? I am a comedy writer.  I use to write dramatic work, but changed when I started writing screenplays.  Hearing laughter from audiences gave me new perspective on my writing.  I have gone back and revise my writings to have more comedy.

What was your inspiration, spark or light bulb moment that inspired you to write the book that you are seeking promotion for? My inspiration for this book was a trip to a remote town in China.  I pondered the idea of being lost in a country with no one to help me.  That idea solidified when I met a hilarious colleague who confused everyone.  So the original idea of being lost in a foreign country changed to be lost in a foreign country with a person who confused everyone.

What has been your most rewarding experience with your writing process? The most rewarding experience has been to hear people laugh at my writing.  I mean laugh in a good way.

Have you had a negative experience in your writing career? If so please explain how it could have been avoided? I went to a comic book convention and promoted my book.  Everyone came to my table and asked why I didn’t write a fantasy book.

What has been your most rewarding experience in your publishing journey? The most rewarding part of the publishing process is the positive feedback I have received from readers.

Have you had a negative experience in your publishing journey? If so please explain how it could have been avoided? The negative experience has been the numerous PR firms that have contacted me.  Many of these firms want thousands of dollars but have no idea how that will help sell your book.   I think this could have been avoided if I would have networked with other authors earlier in the process.

What one positive piece of advice would you give to other authors? The only advice I would give other authors is to find people who can give constructive criticism without demoralizing your ideas.

Who is your favorite author and why? Oscar Wilde because of his incredible wit.

Is there anything else that you would like to share with us?  I would also like to share that I am co-writer and co-producer of the movie Cracker, starring Vincent D’Onofio which is on iTunes.

Crackers by Gregory Principato

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Afaq: I'm Trapped In India by Timothy Reinhardt

Sid Lund just woke up from a convoluted nightmare to discover his waking life is even more complicated. For one thing, the young American pharmaceutical executive has no memory of how he wound up in a remote Indian hospital. No one knows him, except for fellow patient Afaq, who seems to be insane. On the plus side, his nurse, Pretti Dey, can only be described as gorgeous.

When an anonymous phone call warns Sid to get out of the country, he discovers the police are after him. Without any idea of how he became a fugitive, Sid has no choice but to go along with Afaq's nutty plan to secure him a passport and plane tickets—a plan that leads Sid and Afaq on a comically crazed trip to Mumbai, with Pretti in tow.

Sid's not sure what he did or even if he did it. He's only certain of three things. He doesn't want to get arrested, he wants to spend more time with Pretti, and Afaq is the craziest man he's ever met.

A lighthearted comedy about one man's search to find himself—or at least regain his memory—Afaq: I'm Trapped in India is Timothy Reinhardt's madcap debut novel.

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Cold Coffee Press Book Review for Afaq:
I'm Trapped In India by Timothy Reinhardt

Here it is: Only readers with a sense of humor should read this theatrical comedy.

Allow yourself to get wrapped up in character Sid Lund’s nightmare when the rickshaw taxi ride through the crazy crowded streets of India starts an adventure this American businessman was not prepared for.

“The sound of sirens echoing against the side of the building woke Sid from his deep slumber. As Sid gingerly raised his head from his pillow, he heard the loud buzz of vibration from his cell phone rattling against the thin, cheap metal bedside table. He looked about the room. Timeworn furniture, chipped paint peeling from the walls and a broken chair decorated his hospital room. A strange smell hung in the air, which seemed to be a mixture of mildew and body odor. Several large insects buzzed in the sunlight as they circled above a pile of debris in the corner.”

Join the mystery to unravel what “Slowly, slowly, catchy monkey” and “If you run at the monkey” means. Try not to let Afaq (Ah-f-u-c-k) drive you completely insane or nurse Pretti give you a sponge bath.

Author Timothy Reinhardt sets the stage in such a way that the reader experiences the cultural differences between U.S. and India with humor that parallels the best Hollywood comedies.

Search the pages for how this reviewer’s strawberry eating male cat named Wolf living in North Carolina, America can possibly discover a link in his feline lineage in India?

I always quote a passage in my reviews to show you the author’s writing style, so I quote from page 149 in my copy of Afaq: I’m Trapped In India.

“As though he were a moth moving from the dark to a bright bulb, Sid started toward the liquor store. He was driven by the desire to forget the troubles he just discovered. The alcohol could wash away the sting of this recovered memory. Then Sid realized he had no money. He ran his hand through his pant pockets, but there were no rupees there. He plopped down to sit on the warm black pavement near a small bush.

From his secluded position in the corner of the parking lot, Sid listened to the constant barrage of sounds emanating from the city. It was a chorus of car horns, revving engines, and the clang of vibrating metal as all types of vehicles navigated large potholes. Everyone headed somewhere. Everyone had a purpose. Everyone had something to do except Sid. Like a dry leaf on a stream, Sid was at the mercy of a current outside of his control.”

Cold Coffee Press Endorses Afaq: I'm Trapped In India by Timothy Reinhardt as an hysterical comedy that should be played out on the silver screen. We reviewed this book from a Kindle/PDF format and the review was completed on September 13, 2015.For more details contact Cold Coffee Press. http://www.coldcoffeepress

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