Hansen visits Ritzville Public Library for author reading event

Novelist Layne Hansen visited the Ritzville Public Library on Sept. 22 as a part of the East Adams Library District’s (EALD) local author series.

During the event, Hansen read the introduction and prologue from his book “Careful Measurements,” which was published in June.

He explained the book title was taken from a quote of Whittaker Chambers from his autobiography “Witness.” Chambers was an American journalist and a Communist spy, who defected from communism in 1938.

Hansen was born in Utah and raised in Idaho. He explained both of his grandfathers served in World War II and he was named after his father’s friend, Bob Layne, who was killed in Vietnam.

He was inspired to enlist in the U.S. Army after his plane was grounded during the 9/11 attacks.

His writing was featured on the conservative online magazine American Thinker, and he has worked in the conservative movement with various groups, including Tea Party organizations and the Convention of States movement.

Following his time in the Army, Hansen attended college on the GI Bill and graduated with degrees in political science and world politics. He lives in Utah while he resides in Ritzville and works for Job Corps in Moses Lake.

Hansen said he enjoys writing and likes to use his creative energy to express political views through his work.

He explained the plot of “Careful Measurements” was inspired from the discussion of income equality during the 2008 presidential election cycle.

He began brainstorming on what would happen in the country if scientists conducted an experiment where everyone had the same amount of wealth.

In “Careful Measurements,” a group of scientists create a town on the Idaho-Utah border with no government and no laws. Everyone who is selected to live in the town is provided the same amount of money.

Hansen said some families lose their wealth over the course of the book while others increase their resources.

He added three of the town’s inhabitants manipulate events to form their own government and laws in an effort to control the population and transform it into a socialist paradise.

The protagonist of “Careful Measurements” is Patton Larsen, one of the participants, who has a passion for liberty and takes a stand against the government

Hansen explained part of the novel’s theme focuses on the importance of freedom and how it can be taken for granted.

He does not plan to write a sequel to “Careful Measurements,” though he wants to write a book with new characters and a different plot. Hansen hopes to turn his passion into a full-time career.

“Careful Measurements” is available for patrons to check out at the library.

For more information on Hansen and his writing, visit https://www.carefulmeasurements.com.