Ask the Author: S. Kay Murphy
Answered Questions (10)
S. Kay Murphy
Within seconds of reading this question, "Narnia" popped into my brain, then just as quickly the shire in Lord of the Rings. But then wait--how wonderful would it be to climb aboard one of those ships and head out with Frodo and the elves to live somewhere that must be so beautiful.... At the end of the day, though, if we're just talking about taking a trip, I'd probably opt for Diagon Alley to browse in the shops, drink some butter beer, and maybe pick up a couple of good books on magic.
S. Kay Murphy
Because I am currently working on an urban fantasy middle grade novel (still with me?), I've decided to re-read The Chronicles of Narnia. I've started, actually, by reading C.S. Lewis's Letters to Children, which I am finding absolutely endearing and inspiring. It always amazes me that Lewis could be the brilliant man who wrote The Screwtape Letters and The Great Divorce but also the kind and charming man who wrote those sweet and amusing books for children. This will be my fourth time reading through them. I read all seven when I was 21 (having won them in a writing contest), then read them all again--twice through--when my children were little (one of our fondest memories together). Can't wait to read them again!
S. Kay Murphy
The biggest mystery of my life will always be whether my maternal great-grandmother was truly psychotic, intentionally poisoning people she cared for as a volunteer nurse, or whether she was simply a victim of circumstance. While I continue to amass evidence (on both sides), the truth itself can never be known. (Well, at least in this life.) The Tainted Legacy of Bertha Gifford presents that evidence, but it would be fascinating to see someone write a novel or screenplay based on her life. Either way, innocent or guilty, her life, beginning to end, was absolutely fascinating.
S. Kay Murphy
Hands down my favorite fictional couple have to be Bridie O'Conner and Timothy Finnegan from Bridie and Finn by Harry Cauley. (See the synopsis here on Goodreads--and read the reviews.) The novel is the warmest, sweetest depiction of childhood love and friendship I've ever read. I relate to Finn in a huge way--but dang, I always wanted to be Bridie. They are unforgettable characters, and you will miss them after you finish the book--for the rest of your life.
S. Kay Murphy
Hands down my favorite fictional couple have to be Bridie O'Conner and Timothy Finnegan from Bridie and Finn by Harry Cauley. (See the synopsis here on Goodreads--and read the reviews.) The novel is the warmest, sweetest depiction of childhood love and friendship I've ever read. I relate to Finn in a huge way--but dang, I always wanted to be Bridie. They are unforgettable characters, and you will miss them after you finish the book--for the rest of your life.
S. Kay Murphy
There are two types of writer's block. The first is the problem-solving sort. "Hmm. My protagonist needs to suddenly produce a weapon in Act 3, but I didn't even hint at one in Act 1. How can I fix that?" When I have plot problems of this nature, I go around them, keep writing and let my subconscious chew on the problem for awhile. Usually, the solution will pop into my head.
The second is the tougher kind to sort out, and that is writer's block caused by an emotional or psychological stop. Sometimes our inner critic succeeds in silencing us. Sometimes, as Yeats so beautifully rendered it, "the world's more full of weeping than you can understand." There have been periods of my life--during a divorce, during illness, when friends have passed away--that my sadness blocked me from writing anything. In those times, I resort to my other form of creative expression: I sing. I sing and carry on living life and sing some more and look for new music and take long walks in beautiful places (and sing while I'm there). Then, finally, after time has gone by, I make myself sit down and write something short or read the last thing I wrote. Ultimately, we have to bring ourselves back to the discipline of daily writing. When we do, our creativity will eventually click into gear again.
The second is the tougher kind to sort out, and that is writer's block caused by an emotional or psychological stop. Sometimes our inner critic succeeds in silencing us. Sometimes, as Yeats so beautifully rendered it, "the world's more full of weeping than you can understand." There have been periods of my life--during a divorce, during illness, when friends have passed away--that my sadness blocked me from writing anything. In those times, I resort to my other form of creative expression: I sing. I sing and carry on living life and sing some more and look for new music and take long walks in beautiful places (and sing while I'm there). Then, finally, after time has gone by, I make myself sit down and write something short or read the last thing I wrote. Ultimately, we have to bring ourselves back to the discipline of daily writing. When we do, our creativity will eventually click into gear again.
S. Kay Murphy
My dearest, dearest Goodreads: You asked me this question two years ago... when it seemed like everyone in my life was facing death and sadness had settled over me like a heavy blanket. I wasn't working on anything. I couldn't even write to my blog. Today, things are different. Today--and every day, six days a week (with one day off to take long hikes and play and have adventures), I am working on a fantasy trilogy for kids ages 9-12. My first reader has been Matthew, a friend's son who was ten when he read and commented on the first 30 pages. Best first reader I've ever had! And he likes it so far. Can't wait to finish Book I sometime in the Spring!
S. Kay Murphy
Hi Linda,
I found Goodreads several years ago through a friend. When my most recent books were published, I was able to set up my author page here (which you've found, so hooray!). My kids gave me a Kindle DX for Christmas in 2010. I just finished reading Enchanted Places on it. It's a memoir written by Christopher Robin Milne, the son of A.A. Milne. It's a lovely, charming book!
I found Goodreads several years ago through a friend. When my most recent books were published, I was able to set up my author page here (which you've found, so hooray!). My kids gave me a Kindle DX for Christmas in 2010. I just finished reading Enchanted Places on it. It's a memoir written by Christopher Robin Milne, the son of A.A. Milne. It's a lovely, charming book!
S. Kay Murphy
The best advice anyone can give you in this craft is to do the work. (Watch the movie Author's Anonymous, made just for writers! It carries this all-important message!) Show up every day and love yourself and believe in your work enough to commit to it daily. It doesn't matter whether you write one chapter or one page or simply one sentence every day; be present to attend to the task, shove all the other voices out of your head for a while, and listen to your muse. Every one of us has a unique story to tell. Tell yours!
S. Kay Murphy
Please classify me as a "dog person" (see my memoir, The Dogs Who Saved Me), but understand that I speak the truth when I say that the idea for the book I'm working on now--a chapter book for kids--came from my most beloved cat, Sugar Plum. (See her story in Chicken Soup for the Soul: I Can't Believe My Cat Did That.)
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