This post first appeared on the Stephen Bentley – Author website.
Welcome Emily Murdoch and thank you so much for agreeing to appear in the ‘Author Spotlight’ series. I have read ‘A Harvest Passion’ and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Bio
Emily Murdoch is a medieval historian and writer. Throughout her career so far she has examined a codex and transcribed medieval sermons at the Bodleian Library in Oxford, designed part of an exhibition for the Yorkshire Museum, worked as a researcher for a BBC documentary presented by Ian Hislop, and worked at Polesden Lacey with the National Trust. She has a degree in History and English, and a Masters in Medieval Studies, both from the University of York. Emily has a medieval series and a Regency novella series published, and is currently working on several new projects.
You can follow her on Twitter and Instagram @emilyekmurdoch, find her on Facebook , and read her blog here.
The links to A Harvest Passion are here:
The Interview
Why do you write?
I always wanted to be a writer when I was younger, but I think that I actually started writing seriously for two reasons. Firstly because there simply weren’t enough of the sorts of books that I like to read, and secondly because I was encouraged to by my boyfriend, now husband!
What are you currently working on?
There are three projects currently on my horizons: a series of 12 novels, three of which are halfway finished; a series of 4 novels, the first of which is halfway finished; and a standalone novel that I’ve almost finished planning!
From where did you draw your inspiration to write your latest book?
When you read a romance novel, the guy always gets the girl – but that often necessarily means that someone else doesn’t get them. I was fascinated by this aspect of romance novels that is often ignored, so I wrote A Harvest Passion that followed Hestia Royce, a young woman who is left at the altar.
How much research do you have to do when you write a new book?
It really depends which time period it’s based in. I have a BA Joint Hons in History and English, and an MA in Medieval Studies, so whenever I write a historical book I already have a lot of the knowledge in my head, but the Regency writing takes much more time – hours and hours, days and days.
Which writers had the most influence on your decision to write?
I love the writers that create worlds in ‘children’s books’ that are just as rich and inviting when you’re an adult: J K Rowling, C S Lewis, Peter Dickinson are all great examples.
What was the last book you read?
The last book I read was Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier, a true classic that gives more every time I read it.
Do you suffer from writers’ block?
All the time – I describe it as losing my Muse! I have a very irritating habit of pacing until it comes back, unless I get truly exhausted. The longest I’ve lost her is around 3 months which was just torture.
Biggest frustration as an author?
Being asked why my books aren’t available ‘in shops’ yet. Of course I would love to be able to wander into any shop in town and pick a book of mine off the shelf, but that’s not where my career is right now – and let’s be honest, almost everyone is on Amazon anyway!
Reviews for books are vital. Any tips on getting more reviews?
Never underestimate the power of asking. If someone sends me a nice message on social media or an email, then I ask them to write a review, and nine times out of ten they do.
Do you use social media? If so, do you like using it?
I’m all over social media which I love: Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, as well as my own blog. As long as it doesn’t take over my writing, then I’m happy to be on it, and I haven’t come across any really nastiness yet.
Who is your biggest fan?
My husband, and my family!
Many people have a bucket list. What is #1 on yours?
To be on a train or a bus, and see someone that I don’t know reading one of my books.
Any special message for your readers?
Thank you so much for travelling with me so far, or if you’ve just discovered me, welcome! I hope that you keep reading what I write and enjoy reading it as much as I enjoy writing them!
Emily, thank you so much for ‘appearing’ on the Author Spotlight series. It was interesting and I am pleased to have got to ‘meet’ you!
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Maybe you are an “indie” author and would also like to be featured here? Leave a comment in the comments box below and I will get back to you.
Here are further links to Emily’s book and my review of ‘A Harvest Passion.’
Disclosure: this post/page contains ethical affiliate links. I promote certain products and services that I have 100% confidence in. If you purchase as a result of clicking on my affiliate links, I receive a small commission. That commission is not added to the price you pay at checkout.
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