LLH Harms
For years, LLH Harms has written books, stories, and poems and simply placed them on a shelf. With encouragement from one of her children, she has finally decided to share her writing with all of us. The Aftertime is her debut novel. A second project, a picture book, is forthcoming. She lives in Virginia with her family.
Instagram: @LLHHarms
Facebook: @LLHHarms
Do you have another artistic outlet in addition to your writing? Do you sew? Paint? Draw? Knit? Dance?
I started taking art lessons when I was around eleven or twelve. I took a pottery class in college. I loved it. The professor told me if I had not yet chosen a major, I should consider art. It was my last semester in college so unfortunately, I was unable to stay an extra two years. I also love photography. My family hates this one artistic outlet of mine because it’s always, “TAKE THE PICTURE MOM!” (Lighting people, lighting.) Another love of mine is working with stained glass.
It is hard for me to pick which I enjoy the most, but I will say working with glass you cannot let your mind wander. You must be totally present in what you are doing. With pottery, if you don’t pay attention and make a mistake you just scoop up the clay and start over. With glass, if you don’t pay attention, then you end up with stitches.
Are there particular films that have influenced your writing?
Well, my youngest son’s name is Atticus so you might be able to guess that one. To Kill a Mockingbird is one of my favorites because I love both the film and the book equally. I am from the south. Growing up, southerners were always portrayed as stupid or racist. That’s why I loved the book and movie. It showed Atticus Finch as a good man, trying to do the right thing in a world that didn’t care about justice, only vengeance.
Another favorite movie of mine is Interstellar. I enjoyed how it explained some of Einstein’s theories. However, the biggest thing I was left with was how love defies time and space.
Not all books are for all readers… when you start a book and you just don’t like it, how long do you read until you bail?
Never! I always hold out hope that the writer can turn it around. I know how hard it is to write a book so I want to give the author the benefit that they can pull it together. Now saying that, I do have some books on my shelves that I refuse to part with because I can’t seem to get to the ending, but I will.
Is there another profession you would like to try?
I would love to be a National Geographic photographer. I know it takes days, sometimes weeks, to get that one perfect shot but that would be my dream job.
Do you collect anything? If so, what, why, and for how long?
If I did, I would NEVER tell! Trust me I have made that mistake about saying, “Oh, what a cute thing-a-ma-bob.” Then I end up with every color and shape thing-a-ma-bob. When people find out you collect something that’s all you ever get for every holiday and birthday. Don’t get me wrong, I am not being ungrateful but how many items with lemons on it can a girl have?
