Tim Ohr grew up in Clearwater, Florida, as a somewhat troubled youth, and graduated from Clearwater High School. He served nine years in the U.S. Army, including a tour in Vietnam. The Vietnam War permanently changed Tim’s life, views, and attitudes. Once a Goldwater Republican, he became a McGovern liberal. Following military service and while working full time, Tim graduated from the University of South Florida with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Sociology.

After military service, Tim turned to Florida’s great outdoors for exercise to heal his psyche. He still hikes either 10 miles a day or mountain bikes 25-30 miles.

Tim's first short story was published in 1975 within a few months of leaving the military. Starting in 1999, Tim wrote four books on Florida’s natural wonders for World Publications. The books became regional best sellers, beginning with "Florida’s Fabulous Natural Places." These books can be purchased on line or at any Barnes and Noble, Books-a-Million, and most bookstores in Florida. Tim's articles have appeared in many regional publications.

In September 2011, Rocky Publications published two books by Tim: "Birds of Texas Illustrated" and "Birds of North Carolina Illustrated." These books can be purchased from Barnes & Noble, Books-a-Million, some national and state parks, and some independent bookstores in both states, as well as on line. Rocky Publications published  "Florida Historic Places Illustrated" on April 23, 2012. Tim is co-author of this book with Michael Sanders, with two additional contributors, James Phillips and Nevin Sitler.

In 2001, Tim discovered he was adopted by his parents as an infant in a foster home. In 2006, he met and admired his birthmother and gained a wonderful and beautiful sister. Tim wrote about the discovery of his adoption in an article on this website: "Who Are We and Where Do We Come From." Tim plans to write nothing further about this since he feels his birthmother would not want him to. She passed away two years after Tim met her.

The writer has residences in Florida and writes in the early morning hours seven days a week. For Tim, a day without writing is like a day without sunshine or chocolate. He is working on several novels and producing more nature books for Texas and North Carolina. He is in love with the Rocky Mountains, Idaho, and Montana and longs to return. When not writing, hiking, or mountain biking, Tim will be found reading.

Question: When did you begin writing?

Answer: I grew-up on a circle in Bellair with a writer living on it named Bill Ard. He made such an

impression on me that I began writing at seven.

Question: What do you mean by you were a troubled youth?

Answer: My parents were wonderful people, and we loved each other, but we greatly disagreed on

what was best for me. In retrospect, I can see that their interference in my personal life and

another earlier incident made me rebellious.

Question: Are you still rebellious?

Answer: Yes. See the article on my website called "The Great Fire of 1963."

Question: Why did you go into the army?

Answer: I was drafted during the Vietnam War but enlisted in the hopes of getting a soft desk job.

Question: Did you?

Answer: No. I was part of a chemical detachment to the lst Infantry Division. I was no hero. Some of the people there were. The unit searched tunnels, dropped tear gas to stop troop movements,

and was involved in "people sniffing."

Question: Were you in combat?

Answer: I was more of a bystander. I was not a combat infantryman. Our unit was a chemical detachment. While the war altered my life and beliefs, people shouldn't make too much of my service. I was never given an award for valor nor was I ever injured in combat.

Question: Why did you spend nine years in the army?

Answer: Eight years, nine months, and two days. I didn't want to come home after the war. When I was home, nothing was right any longer.

I reenlisted for six years, went to Korea for a year, Europe for three years, and was stationed in Baltimore, Montgomery, and mostly in Chicago in the States. I was an Operations and Intelligence Sergeant, Air Defense Artillery.

Question: Why didn't you stay in for 20 years and retire?

Answer: I was slated to become a drill sergeant, E-7 at Fort Dix, New Jersey. A drill instructor's personality is the very opposite of my personality. But moreover, reenlisting in the first place was a mistake. I should come home and faced my altered life.

Question: What are you writing now?

Answer: Mostly novels. Some short stories. I already have eight books in print under my name and one that is under a pen name. I like moving from one subject to the other. It's unfortunate that I have become tagged as a nature writer, when my interest are everywhere and about everything.

Question: Was it a shock to find out you were adopted at the age of 55?

Answer: You bet. There is an article about it on my website called "Who Are We and Where Do We Come From?" It is brutally honest about how I felt. That title isn't mine. I called it "The Stone." It was changed by the editor when published. It's also been an adventure, gaining a sister out west, and meeting my birthmother.

Question: What was she like?

Answer: My mother was a good woman, but I have decided not to write about it or discuss it more because I don't think she would've have wanted me too. My sister is rather remarkable.

Question: What is your advice for would-be writers?

Answer: They won't take advice, but read a lot, write every day, get others to read what you write and give you feed back, and have a back-up profession.