Meet Lynn Hammond

The Write Way Café welcomes Lynn Hammond, who uses real-life experiences in her writing and makes the world a better place.

When did you first have the thought you'd like to write a book? 
Actually, I was around 16 years old when I would just make believe to be married with children and be rich. I wish I kept the notebook I wrote my story tale in but being a teenager and moving out I just threw it away. I didn’t decide to write again until my father was killed leaving my house May, 1, 2013. That day my world changed forever. Not only did I lose my father I found two years later my real father who I didn’t know about died a month after. He told my siblings that they had a sister and to find me. After finding out all this I decide I’m going to follow my passion and write. Writing gives me peace and lets my mind wonder away.

What was your path to getting Chaplain: Sacrifice for Love written and published? What type of research did you do? 
I looked up what Chaplains do in the military, I talked to some preachers, I looked up military bases in Alaska. My mother-in-law read the manuscript and demanded more. So now I turned it into a series. I’m hoping to get Chaplain series into bookstores.

Where did the idea for Chaplain: Sacrifice for Love come from? 
Well actually a friend of mine told me about a girl who was abused by a military guy and what he did to her. I was just blown away about the story so I made up my own story and added a fairy tale.

Why did you pick the setting you did? 
I love Alaska. I took a cruise there and loved the atmosphere. When I describe the scenery I had help from a friend who lived there and hiked up the mountains.

Are your main characters completely imaginary or do they have some basis in real people? Do they reflect aspects of yourself? 
All my characters share a little of my life and things I have seen or known to happen. I like to use names of people I went to school with or just know. I think its too much work to search for names.

Did you face any blocks while writing Chaplain: Sacrifice for Love, and if so, how did you handle them? 
I did. In the beginning of the book there are triggers for those who may have witnessed this or had it happen to them, but I thought about it and decided I wanted to tell the whole story. I wanted to put a love scene at the end of the book but with what my character went through I wanted her to feel safe and loved.

What have been surprises you've encountered while writing the book and after? 
I became really attached to my characters. If I was working, cooking, or cleaning and something came to mind, I would have to rush to my computer and write it down. I loved how my characters in this book kept me on my toes. I wanted more and more for my characters.

What did you learn? For instance, what did you learn about yourself, your process, the writing world; about chaplains, and overcoming abuse? 
I learned that I would not do good as a cop. I would let my emotions take over when doing my job. Chaplains have a wide variety of things they can do. Chaplains are there to help any way they can even if they have to pick up a gun in the military. Reading testimonies about Chaplains I learned they have a lot on their plate. I respect what they do because soldiers witness a lot of things and a Chaplain is there to help them through the horror. I was in a relationship in which my boyfriend had anger issues. He threw the coffee table at me one day during an argument. I told him it was over and went to leave. He tried to block me but I got out. He stood behind my car, telling me I was not going anywhere. My father always told me never let a man lay a hand on you. He said there is always fight back. Well I got in the car and cranked it up but he still stood there. So, I did the one thing I could do and that was to put it in reverse and hit the gas. Let’s say I didn’t hurt him too badly but he limped for a while. I don’t understand why there has to be violence. Just sit down and talk about it.

Tell us about your writing space and how or why it works for you. 
I sit beside my fireplace in my love seat. I can smell the burnt ashes once in a while. My kids sit across from me watching TV. I like to be in a room with them.

What are some of your favorite books and why? 
I love the Eden Series by Lexi Post. I don’t do much paranormal reading but when she started the series she asked me to try it out. I was hooked. I read it in one day. I love how my mind shuts off and I’m in the characters world.

What are you working on now?
I have two books I’m working on. I have book three of Chaplain series and a Billionare love romance story.

Would you like to try your hand at writing a different genre? Which one and why? 
I thought about Paranormal. I love the different worlds the characters live in.

If you were not a writer, what would your dream job be? 
I love my job as a nurse. I get to meet new people every day. When my patients leave the office, I make sure to tell them bye and if they need anything they can call and ask for me. Life is already rushed and I feel when they come they just need a little tender care.

What aspect of writing gives you the most trouble? 
Putting more emotions to my characters. I like short novellas. Some of my readers ask for more.

Who is your favorite hero/heroine? 
I wrote a book Bloom. She has PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome). She is being raised by a father who doesn't understand her illness. He tells her she's ugly and fat. All the hateful words put her into a shell until she finds out she has a brother. He is her savior. She learns to take up for herself, she meets friends, and she gets the proper treatment she needs to get better.


Author Note: I must warn the readers that this book contains some very difficult subjects that may be difficult for some to read. For example, rape, PTSD, anxiety attacks, abortions, self-mutilations, child out of rape, etc.

A religious man. A scarred woman. Both have their faith tested.
 

When Chaplain Linkin Garland, receives a phone call to help a woman who was raped, beaten, and stabbed, he can’t help but say “yes.” There is something about her that draws him in. There is a spiritual connection but also a chemistry that he can’t explain.
 

Pain...Fear...Mistrust...
 

Words that sum up Sophia Rhinehart’s life.
 

Having survived a horrific abuse from her military boyfriend who she thought loved her more than life, she needs to learn to live again.
 

With each passing day the nightmares get worse. Sophia wants help but refuses to let anyone in. Until Chaplain Linkin shows up “at her mother’s home.”
 

Slowly, Linkin gets her to trust him, but will his secret destroy her frail progress?
 

In the end, will their journey connect them both spiritually or will it destroy them both?

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Lynn Hammond works full-time as an LPN but writes at night. She lives in Rock Hill, South Carolina. She is an RWA member. She loves to make children’s tutu in her spare time. Every night before bed she takes time to read. She loves romance, paranormal romance, and erotica. She is a proud mother of three beautiful girls, two beautiful grandbabies, two boxer pups, two lizards, four ducks, and loves spending time with her husband riding in her father’s old corvette. She is a new author writing New Adult romance and would love to hear from readers. You can contact her at lynnhammondauthor@gmail.com. To find out more, please visit her facebook page or LynnHammondauthor.wordpress.com.