Saturday 31 August 2013

The Roving Eye Interviews Luke Murphy



Today's Roving Eye Interview is with crime writer, Luke Murphy. Luke lives in Shawville, Quebec with his wife, three daughters and pug. He played six years of professional hockey before retiring in 2006. Since then, he’s held a number of jobs, from sports columnist to radio journalist, before earning his Bachelor of Education degree (Magna Cum Laude).
Murphy`s acclaimed debut novel, Dead Man`s Hand, was released by Imajin Books on October 20, 2012.


When did you first realise that you wanted to write for a living?

Writing is not my full time job. I’ll tell you more about that in question 6.
Actually it happened by accident. Growing up I never thought much about writing, but I was an avid reader. The only time I ever wrote was when my teachers at school made me. I wanted to be an NHL superstar…period.
It was the winter of 2000, my second year of professional hockey, and I was playing in Oklahoma City.  After sustaining a season ending eye injury (one of the scariest moments of my life), I found myself with time on his hands.
My girlfriend at the time, who is now my wife, was attending a French college in Montreal. She received an English assignment to write a short story, and asked me for some help.
I loved the experience—creating vivid characters and generating a wire-taut plot. I sat down at my roommate’s computer and began typing. I wrote a little every day, around my intense rehabilitation schedule and before I knew it I had completed my first manuscript.
I didn’t write with the intention of being published. I wrote for the love of writing.
Thirteen years later, I still write for pleasure—and I still love it! The fact that I am being published is a bonus.

What made you choose crime fiction?

I was always an avid reader. My first books were the Hardy Boys titles, so they are the reason I love mysteries. As an adult, some of my favorite authors are Harlan Coben, Michael Connelly and Greg Iles, so naturally I write what I love to read – mystery/suspense/thriller novels.

What crime novel would you most like to have written?

“Kiss the Girls” by James Patterson was the first adult crime-book I ever read, and I fell in love with the genres. Probably my favorite crime book to date is “The Poet” by Michael Connelly. I would love to write a Harry Bosch novel. What a great character.

Who is your favourite author outside of crime fiction and why?

I don’t know if you count thrillers as in the same class as crime-fiction, I’m assuming you do. My favorite thriller writers are Greg Iles and Harlan Coben. I haven’t read a lot outside of my crime-fiction and thriller genres, so this is a tough question. I’m the kind of guy who likes familiarity and rarely strays from what I know. My wife and I really enjoy the Nicholas Sparks movies, does that count?

Who are you reading right now?

I’m currently reading Blood Memory by Greg Iles. These days I don’t read as much as I’d like, because I have so much going on.

If you weren’t a writer, what else could you see yourself doing?

I always say I write because I can’t sing or dance (LOL). Writing isn’t my full time job, I would have starved long ago if it was.
I’m an elementary school teacher, I tutor Math and English part time and I’m a husband and father. So as you can see, I only write when I find time.
My dream was to play in the NHL. I ended up only playing 4 games for the Florida Panthers in 1999, then injuries and age took over. But it was a fun journey and a wild ride while it lasted.
My dream job today would be to write full time. To make enough money, be able to stay home and write what and when I wanted would certainly be my ultimate goal.
Playing on tour in the PGA wouldn’t be bad either. J

What was the last great book that you read?

Man, I’ve read so many great books by so many talented writers. The last book I read that actually had one of those “wow” factors was “Pied Piper” by Ridley Pearson.

How do you feel about ebooks vs. print books and alternative vs. conventional publishing?

Guilty as charged, okay, I admit it, I don’t have an ereader. There is just something about holding a book in my hands, the smell and the feel. I can’t explain it but for me I love holding an actual book. That being said, I sell a ton more ebooks than I do paperback, so I appreciate where society is taking us into a paperless future. As for publishing, I’ve always been a traditional kind of guy, but I realize times have changed, and more writers are gaining an opportunity, exposure and a chance to get their books in front of readers though self-publishing and PODs. I think I just enjoy the challenge of being evaluated by my peers, and I think that it is more fulfilling when you realize that a publisher wants to take a chance on your work, rather than you paying to have it done. But I have heard very positive things about self-publishing. It’s different for everyone.

What five words best describe your average day?
 
Normally “writing” would be in there, but since baby #3 arrived in May, I haven’t written a thing. So these are the 5 words that sum up my current days:

Fathering
Loving
Teaching
Learning
Promoting

Sum up your latest novel in less than 20 words.

DEAD MAN’S HAND takes readers inside the head of Vegas debt-collector Calvin Watters, one-time football star, now murder suspect.

And, lastly, just for fun..

Have you read or would you ever consider reading 50 Shades of Grey?

I have never read 50 Shades of Grey (don’t know if I’d admit it if I had J ), and I probably never will. I heard all about it though. I can totally understand the allure of the content, but I’ve also heard that it is very poorly written, and I probably would get fed up and frustrated half-way through the first chapter. But I do respect the author and what she accomplished with those books. I would certainly like to be as successful as she has become from that series. I’ve actually written a blog post about the book, and if it would have been as well received had a man written it.


 


For more information on Luke and his books, visit: www.authorlukemurphy.com

 

Wednesday 21 August 2013

The Roving Eye Interviews Eva Hudson

Today's Roving Eye interview is with crime writer, Eva Hudson. Eva grew up in south London and now splits time between the Sussex countryside and central London where she writes full time. Her three novels, The Senior Moment, The Loyal Servant (which won the inaugural Lucy Cavendish fiction prize in 2011) and current novel, The Third Estate are all available via Amazon.



When did you first realise that you wanted to write for a living?

When I was eleven my English teacher asked the class to write a short account of what we wanted to be when we grew up. I plumped for barrister or author (I think maybe Rumpole of the Bailey must have been on TV at the time!). Given I've never even set eyes on a law book, let alone studied the subject at any level, I think my authorial ambitions have well and truly trumped my legal ones.

What made you chose crime fiction?

When I started out I decided I only wanted to write books that I would like to read. And I do enjoy a good mystery. I love stories with great plots, interesting characters and proper endings. You can't beat crime fiction when it comes to ticking those boxes.

What crime novel would you most like to have written?

The Secret History by Donna Tartt. More of a 'why-on-earth-dunnit' rather than a whodunnit, it's a compelling novel that stays with you long after you read the last page and close the book.

Who is your favourite author outside of crime fiction and why?

Hilary Mantel. I know she's won every prize going and it's almost a cliche to admit being a fan, but her prose is so crisp and her characterisation so deep it's hard not to be totally charmed.

What’s the earliest memory you have of writing a story?

One I properly remember was for a local authority competition. Everyone in my class was entered, as was every other ten-year-old in Southwark. We had a choice of titles and I chose 'The Haunted House'. Maybe I should be writing horror! Mind you, from what I remember of the plot, I set it in a fun fair and I think there was some sort of crime involved (in a Secret Seven kind of way).

How do you balance your working life with your writing life?

At the moment I'm writing full time. It's a wonderful luxury. Previously, when I tried to work full time and write I didn't manage to balance anything at all!

What is your least favourite part of the writing process?

In these times of author platform and social media, marketing has effectively become part of a writer's responsibility. And it is definitely not something I enjoy. Everything else, from coming up with the idea, through character development, plotting, drafting, editing, right through to proofing, I absolutely love.

One record and one book to a desert island, what would you take?

Hounds of Love by Kate Bush and Lofty Wiseman's SAS Survival Guide.

Having successfully navigated the world of self publishing, what advice would you give those thinking of treading the same path?

I feel like I'm still navigating, but I think Lofty's wisdom could be applied to self-publishing too. Two bits of advice that I need reminding of regularly: 1) don't compare yourself to anyone else and 2) be patient.

Sum up your latest novel in less than 20 words.

A thirty-year-old mystery haunts the mother of a missing child

And lastly, just for fun, have you read, or would you consider reading Fifty Shades of Grey?

I haven't and I won't. I can't get past the clunky prose and apparently the sex scenes aren't all that either.