Interview with Mark Murray
Published 2015-02-03.
Who are your favorite authors?
One of my favorite authors was Robert B. Parker. He wrote the Spenser novels. I continually reread them and to me, that's evidence of great writing.
When you're not writing, how do you spend your time?
My professional paid work is in the IT field. That occupies most of the work week. After that, I like the martial arts, so some of my time is spent doing that. Aikido, kenjutsu, kali are some of the arts that I study.
Do you remember the first story you ever wrote?
I remember a short story that I wrote and submitted to Marion Zimmerman's magazine. She replied with a rejection, but it was nice to actually get a personal reply from her.
What is your writing process?
I sit down and pop in something on the TV. Either a TV show or movie and start writing. I don't know why but it's nice to have something going while I'm writing. I typically just start writing the story and progress from there. It's rare for me to write pieces and put them together.
How do you approach cover design?
I have a friend who does most of my covers. His name is Carlo Samson. If anyone would like to know more about him and his work, please let me know.
What do you read for pleasure?
Actually, I read a lot of things. I read fantasy, scifi, horror, detective, and paranormal. I tend to go to the book stores, new and old, and look around for something that catches my eye. Doesn't matter what section. Just if it looks like a good story.
What is your e-reading device of choice?
I don't have one yet. LOL. Horrible, I know. I'm leaning towards getting a Kindle.
What book marketing techniques have been most effective for you?
Ugh. I would love to know the answer to this question. This is the hardest part of being an author. How do you market your books? If anyone has a good answer, I'm all ears!
Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?
I grew up in West Virginia. Almost Heaven. Wild and Wonderful. I spend a lot of time outdoors, hunting, fishing, hiking, camping, rock climbing, caving, you name it. I think the most influence is that I use the area to set some of my stories in because it's familiar and what I know.
When did you first start writing?
When I got a computer. I tried writing by hand and that failed. I tried writing by typewriter (yes, I'm that old) and that failed. When I got a computer, that's when I started writing. It's the medium I have to use. I'm quirky that way, I guess.
What are you working on next?
I'm working on a couple of novels. I'm half finished with another Aiden & Arek story called Power Hungry. I'm working on a horror story involving creatures that come out of the ground and start killing everything. They're cyclical and they cause extinction events. Their last cycle killed off the dinosaurs. Now, mankind must survive them.
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