A Chat with Larry Fitzgerald

Good Morning, Readers!

Christmas is coming and many are bustling about to prepare. This morning, I hope you will take a moment to have a seat and join me for a chat with a new author to The Back Porch. Larry Fitzgerald has written a story of rescue and second chances in A Dog Named Speed.

Welcome to Back Porch Reads, Mr. Fitzgerald. Since you are new to us, please share a little bit about your writing journey and your book.

What advice would you give to aspiring writers who are just starting out?

What you write has the potential to affect many more people than what you say. What you say or write can have multiple positive consequences, especially if they are God-honoring.

That is so true.

How do you handle writer’s block or moments of creative doubt?

I take long walks. This routine seems to always clear up my thinking or give me new ideas about how to further complicate the lives of my characters or help them get out of a jam. It’s like getting a good night’s sleep in a forty-five–minute stroll.

Oh that sounds like a nice way to clear your head.

Let’s talk about A Dog Named Speed.

Did any real-life experiences or events influence the narrative of your book?

Almost all the events described in the book are actual. Many exciting scenes will hold the reader’s attention, but the story’sheart is that the newspaper boy, Babe, who finds and adopts the dog, Speed, learns far more about life from the dog than the dog learns from the boy.

Being a person who only adopts from rescues, I can say that you really do learn a lot about life while caring for a resue animal.

What setting(s) did you choose for your book, and why were they important to the story?

The actual settings were in a rural area in mountainous Eastern Oregon. Written from the dog’s POV, the manuscript is based on a true story about a boy and his dog. They are important because they are where the events took place. Only the names of the towns were changed.

What message, if any, do you hope your book conveys to readers?

As Speed’s master, I received reverence and unconditional love. There was nothing he would not do for me. I am sure every morning when he woke up, I was in his first thoughts. I began to compare his love for his master to my love for my Master and came up short. I want my readers, whether young or old, to be stirred by this and give thought to their relationship with Jesus.

Oh my, we all come up so short…but God’s beautiful grace and mercy overflows. Much like a dog’s unfailing love.

Can you share any details about your upcoming projects or works-in-progress?

I have just finished a new book. It is not yet titled, but it will soon be. It is the story of a young soccer player, a teammate, and their coach. It is a book anyone who plays soccer will love and hasexciting subplot intrigue. I produce a monthly newsletter called “A Note from Larry.” My email address is larryfitz35@gmail.com

Thats great to hear.

Mr. Fitzgerald, thank you again for joining us today. It was such a blessing to have you with us. I hope this tour is a blessing to you and your book.

Readers, please continue to read about A Dgg Named Speed and Larry Fitzgerald. Then be sure to enter the giveaway at the end.

Merry Christmas,

Melissa

About the Book

Book: A Dog Named Speed

Author: Larry Fitzgerald

Genre: Fiction

Release date: December 4, 2023

Join Speed, the most adventurous pup ever, in “A Dog Named Speed” by Larry Fitzgerald! Speed had a rocky start in life, living in a cave beneath the Blue Mountains of Oregon, battling freezing winters, sneaky coyotes, and even a junkyard keeper with a trigger-happy finger. But Speed’s luck takes a turn when he’s rescued from a watery disaster and adopted by Babe, a young newspaper boy.

As Speed and Babe grow up together, they embark on thrilling adventures in the wilds of Oregon, discovering secret fishing spots and having daring encounters. Speed becomes Babe’s trusty sidekick, and together, they form an unbreakable team.

But it’s not just about Speed and Babe; this story is packed with excitement and surprises! Speed meets Kate, a lively Australian shepherd, and their connection adds even more adventure to the mix. Plus, there’s a deeper message about faith and friendship that will make you think.

If you’re ready for action, friendship, and a heartwarming tale, “A Dog Named Speed” is the book for you. Get ready to cheer for Speed and Babe as they navigate life’s ups and downs and discover the true meaning of loyalty and love. This is a book that will keep you on the edge of your seat and warm your heart at the same time!

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Larry Fitzgerald, a retired businessman turned youth soccer coach, infuses his writing, managing, and coaching with an unwavering commitment to Christ’s Commission (Matthew 28:19-20). Concerned for today’s youth growing up without spiritual guidance, Larry took to writing. Larry’s impactful short fiction is showcased in anthologies like “Stories from the Attic” (2022) and “Fortunes” (2023) by AA Inc. Publishing. His stories transcend pages, offering beacons of spiritual enlightenment for a generation navigating a world where God’s presence is often obscured.

More from Larry

Writing the story about Speed and the newspaper boy should have been a slam dunk. All I had to do was remember the years between my ninth and eighteenth birthdays—not all of it, of course, just the time my dog Speed and I spent together, which was, basically, all of it. Getting the story into my computer was easy. The hard part was getting it out of my computer and into the format(s) required for publishing and marketing. That was and continues to be a challenging learning experience. Someday, I may write a book about that.

The great thing about my book, A Dog Named Speed, is that it’s a true story except for the parts where Speed is not with me, alone, or with other animals. Those were imagined but very plausible. The story is told from the dog’s point of view, from heaven, as he awaits his master to join him.

Speed was a stray dog who started following me as I delivered newspapers in a small town in Eastern Oregon. He would not come near me despite my enthusiastic efforts to win his favor. He was afraid of all humans, which I assume came from having been mistreated as a young dog. Our coming together happened only when Speed was desperate and had no choice but to reach out to me.

After that, Speed and I were rarely apart. We shared many exciting times centered on fishing adventures, camping trips, and ball games. Speed and I slept together every night. He followed me to school each day and waited faithfully for me to get home so he could join in whatever was in store for the evening.

The most important thing I observed about Speed was how he treated his master. I knew Speed loved me unconditionally. As the story affirms, there was nothing he wouldn’t do to come to my aid. As this became clear, I began to think about how I treat my Master, Jesus Christ. Was I faithful? Was my every thought about Him? Were my first thoughts when I woke up every morning about Jesus? I am certain Speed’s were of me.

My book was written for young people, but it has found a broader audience as well. Any reader who has ever owned a dog can relate to this story. I am blessed to have owned A Dog Named Speed.