Ask the Author: M. Joseph Murphy
Answered Questions (6)
M. Joseph Murphy
Demons of DunDegore is an idea that first came to me back in Grade 10 English. Every day we had to sit and write in a journal for 30 minutes a day. Many people wrote nonsense or diaries. I figured if I had to write for 30 minutes a day for the whole school year I might as well have something to show for it.
The novel I released is vastly different than what I wrote back then. Originally Grandwyn was a 20 year old cleric in a pure D&D universe. Now he's an 8 year old with magical powers in a universe I created. But the ideas and the title are the same.
The novel I released is vastly different than what I wrote back then. Originally Grandwyn was a 20 year old cleric in a pure D&D universe. Now he's an 8 year old with magical powers in a universe I created. But the ideas and the title are the same.
M. Joseph Murphy
Don't wait for inspiration. Sit down and work. Now if you're asking where I get my ideas from: everywhere. I get ten great ideas a week, from conversations, news reports, and one of the greatest sources of material for urban fantasy: the Mysterious Universe podcast. There is enough craziness in the world that I barely have to invent anything.
M. Joseph Murphy
I'm currently writing a thriller (working title Can You See Me). It's something completely different from my normal genres. It's about a sex addict who becomes the target of a serial killer after posting an exhibitionist video online.
Can You See Me started as a NaNoWriMo novel. A family medical event took up the last part of November so I didn't "win" NaNoWriMo. But the book is awesome. Can't NOT finish it.
Can You See Me started as a NaNoWriMo novel. A family medical event took up the last part of November so I didn't "win" NaNoWriMo. But the book is awesome. Can't NOT finish it.
M. Joseph Murphy
Get rid of the word "aspiring". If you want to be a writer, write. If someone tells you you're not a real writer they are either rude or an idiot. Usually both.
You probably don't want to publish your first book. It took me 5 times before I came up with something publishable. Writing is a talent you have to practice.
If you want to publish the first book, hire a good editor AND a good proofreader before you submit it anywhere.
Finally, realize that no book will ever be perfect. There will always be flaws, things you'd like to change. But there comes a point you have to say "enough" and move on to something else. Otherwise, you'll be working on your first book for the rest of your life.
You probably don't want to publish your first book. It took me 5 times before I came up with something publishable. Writing is a talent you have to practice.
If you want to publish the first book, hire a good editor AND a good proofreader before you submit it anywhere.
Finally, realize that no book will ever be perfect. There will always be flaws, things you'd like to change. But there comes a point you have to say "enough" and move on to something else. Otherwise, you'll be working on your first book for the rest of your life.
M. Joseph Murphy
Easy. Hearing from the fans. There is nothing like seeing the look in someone's eyes after they've read your work and been transported somewhere else. I like getting paid but you can't put a price tag on that.
M. Joseph Murphy
There's no such thing as writer's block. Anyone that claims to have writer's block is just being lazy. Being a writer is work. Don't feel like writing? Suck it up buttercup and get your butt in front of the computer.
On a more gentle note, I read Julia Cameron's "The Artist's Way" over 20 years ago. Whenever I'm overcome with laziness or I'm unsure I want to write anymore, I go through the exercises in that book. A must if you feel "blocked" in any way.
On a more gentle note, I read Julia Cameron's "The Artist's Way" over 20 years ago. Whenever I'm overcome with laziness or I'm unsure I want to write anymore, I go through the exercises in that book. A must if you feel "blocked" in any way.
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