Author James Tarr on Zombies and Dinosaurs — GMP # 187

Published on June 16, 2023
Duration: 41:25

In this episode of the Guns Magazine Podcast, host Brent Wheat interviews novelist and gun writer James Tarr. Tarr discusses his extensive background as a police officer, private investigator, and competitive shooter, which heavily influences the technical accuracy of his thrillers. He elaborates on his diverse novel genres, including those featuring dinosaurs and zombies, emphasizing his commitment to realism and scientific plausibility. Tarr also shares anecdotes from his career and the inspiration behind his latest works, particularly the 'Great American Zombie Novel' trilogy.

Quick Summary

Novelist and gun writer James Tarr emphasizes technical accuracy in his thrillers, drawing from his careers as a police officer, private investigator, and competitive shooter. His work, including dinosaur and zombie fiction, aims for scientific plausibility, exploring realistic scenarios like virus-induced zombie-like symptoms and the complexities of fingerprint analysis.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to James Tarr and Guns Magazine Podcast
  2. 00:36Sponsor: Four Patriots Solar Go Fridge
  3. 01:25Sponsor: Creedmoor Sports
  4. 01:47James Tarr's Background as a Writer and Novelist
  5. 02:25Genre of James Tarr's Novels: Thrillers and Action Movies
  6. 03:42Range of Tarr's Novels: PI, Dinosaurs, Zombies
  7. 04:03Realism in Firearms and Equipment in Tarr's Books
  8. 04:40Tarr's Professional Background: Armored Car, Police, PI
  9. 06:25Varied Career Path and its Influence on Writing
  10. 09:02Tarr's Writing Journey: From Grade School to Publication
  11. 10:31Competitive Shooting and Entry into Gun Writing
  12. 12:03Networking and Getting Published in Gun Magazines
  13. 13:00Anecdote: Pissing off John Stossel in The Green Room
  14. 14:15Book 'Carnivore': Autobiography of CJ, a Blackwater Contractor
  15. 18:04Inspiration for Diverse Novel Subjects: Dinosaurs, Zombies, Armored Cars
  16. 18:31Inspiration for 'Failure Drew' and Detroit PI Novels
  17. 19:41The Colorful and Gritty Nature of Detroit
  18. 20:30The 'What If' Element in Fiction Writing
  19. 20:37Fingerprint Uniqueness and Errors in 'World' (WHORL)
  20. 24:02Technical Accuracy in Dinosaur Fiction: 'Bestiary' Series
  21. 25:26DNA Research and Dinosaur Reconstruction
  22. 26:15Dinosaur Behavior and Realism in Fiction
  23. 26:54Setting of the Dinosaur Series: Civil War Mexico
  24. 29:06Feathers on Dinosaurs and Scary Names
  25. 30:55Critique of Unrealistic TV Shows and CSI
  26. 32:19Upcoming Book: 'Cascade Failure' (Fallen Republic Series)
  27. 32:45Critique of Zombie Tropes and Realistic Zombie Behavior
  28. 35:05Details of 'Cascade Failure': Bioterror Attack and Government Response
  29. 38:44Upcoming Books: 'The Snarling Sea' and 'Chasing Echoes'
  30. 39:10Where to Find James Tarr's Books: Website and Amazon
  31. 40:36Sponsor Recap: Four Patriots and Creedmoor Sports
  32. 41:14Closing Remarks and Call to Action

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes James Tarr's novels stand out from other thrillers?

James Tarr's novels are distinguished by their exceptional technical accuracy regarding firearms, equipment, and procedures. This realism stems from his extensive background as a former police officer, private investigator, and competitive shooter, ensuring that the details in his stories are grounded in real-world knowledge and experience.

How does James Tarr approach writing about dinosaurs and zombies realistically?

Tarr researches scientific plausibility for his fictional scenarios. For dinosaurs, he considers fossil evidence and genetic possibilities. For zombies, he proposes a virus-induced condition with symptoms like pain insensitivity and brain swelling, creating a more scientifically grounded 'zombie-like' behavior rather than supernatural undead.

What is James Tarr's background that informs his writing?

James Tarr has a diverse professional background including roles as an armored car driver, police officer, and private investigator. He also has significant experience as a competitive shooter. This hands-on experience provides him with a deep understanding of firearms, law enforcement, and the gritty realities that he incorporates into his fiction.

Where can readers find James Tarr's books, including his new zombie series?

James Tarr's novels are available on his official website, officialgamestar.com, where signed copies can also be ordered. Additionally, his books are accessible on Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats. Some of his dinosaur novels are also available as audiobooks.

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