About John Murphy:
John Murphy was a Corporal in the US Marine Corps. He went to college, succeeded in the software industry, then wrote, Success Without a College Degree. He’s traveled the world and relieved himself on all seven continents. His wife is a Blackjack ninja; he has three sons: a Marine Corps officer, a video game producer, and a travel blogger. While he enjoys writing fiction and about career success, he smokes cigars, shoots guns, rides Harleys, skis fast, drinks tequila straight, thinks about alien invasion, combat, and the future of mankind, so he wrote Mission Veritas.
What inspires you to write?
I used to carve things as a kid, making space ships out of clay and toilet paper tubes or walnuts. I did a great deal of drawing as a teen. In college, I used to paint murals on dormitory walls and later, even in my kids’ bedroom. I’ve always had a creative/inventive streak in me, and writing is just one medium. I took it up in earnest in 1992, completed a novel (after four re-writes, but never published), then began writing a non-fiction “Success Without a College Degree” a few years later and that changed the direction of my life. After another ten years, I came back to writing fiction, but I’ve been creative throughout. Even while writing Mission Veritas, I’ve been creating graphics that illustrate scenes from the story.
Tell us about your writing process.
My process varies. I do some free flow writing but when I get to tricky action sequences, I’ll sketch out where all the characters are so I can keep track of movement and make sure it all gels. I have tried various software programs to outline but end up using a hodge-podge of methods. The one consistency: light up a good cigar. I think much better with a good stogie!
For Fiction Writers: Do you listen (or talk to) to your characters?
I both listen and talk to my characters. I always tell my wife one of the things I enjoy most when I write is spending time with people I like – even if they are imaginary!
What advice would you give other writers?
Many people think writing is a glamorous profession. In fact, like many “cool jobs” they are actually a lot of work. Sure, I’m not digging ditches and there’s something to be said about not having a commute and working with a good cigar. But there is a craft to writing a compelling story with engaging characters. I’ve read more books about writing than I have probably any other subject. With each draft and rewrite I hone my skills to hopefully give you, the reader, a better experience.
How did you decide how to publish your books?
In the past I’ve self-published which is expensive and complicated. Technology has since made it less so but to put out a quality piece of work, you still need to invest in it. Good editors and cover designers are priceless. The Booktrope hybrid publishing model allows you to collaboratively publish connecting you with editors, cover designers and other talented individuals who help take your book from your word processor to a readers’ tablet.
What do you think about the future of book publishing?
Just about the time I think I see the direction things are heading, something happens to surprise me. Amazon is constantly changing the business more than any other single player. While most bookstores are downsizing or even closing – they just opened their first brick and mortar store! With so many of us reading on multiple platforms the business will no doubt continue to evolve and pehaps someday soon we will be able to browse a physical bookstore and purchase a download code for the book there in the store.
What do you use?: Professional Editor, Professional Cover Designer, Beta Readers
What genres do you write?: Science Fiction
What formats are your books in?: Both eBook and Print
Website(s)
John Murphy Home Page Link
Link To John Murphy Page On Amazon
Your Social Media Links
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All information in this post is presented “as is” supplied by the author. We don’t edit, to allow you, the reader, to hear the author in their own voice.
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