Jim Murphy will be speaking at TLA on Wednesday from 12-1 p.m. as part of the YA Nonfiction: Not Just the Facts. Jim's latest book is THE REAL BENEDICT ARNOLD published by Clarion Books/Houghton Mifflin.
1. Have you attended TLA before? If so, what advice do you have for new authors?
Yes, I’ve attended TLA in the past. My advice to first time visitors, especially non-Texans? Remember, everything in Texas is BIG, convention centers included, so allow lots of time to locate your next meeting or autographing session. I have a nightmare story involving the San Antonio Convention Center, but it’s too scary to go into here. Oh, yes, you should go with the flow and enjoy yourself.
2. The theme for TLA 2008 is "Books, Bytes and Beyond". How would you describe yourself in 4 words?
Inquisitive, determined, happy, lucky.
3. What is your preferred method of writing and why -- laptop, longhand, typewriter?
I write on a PC, then print a hard copy and do very nasty editorial notes on my ms. Then I rewrite on the computer (cursing myself for writing so many notes).
4. What are you reading right now?
I’m in the middle of reading: Year of the Hyenas by Brad Geagley (it’s a murder mystery set in Ancient Egypt), Thomas Paine and the Promise of America by Harvey J. Kaye, and a really wonderful novel called Small Island by Andrea Levy.
5. Movie you've loved in the past year
I saw a number of movies last year that I liked a lot. But since I love to cook, I think I’d have to say the only one I’d see again is Ratatouille. Yes, it has a lot of the usual sentimental, stereotypical trappings, but it’s also eclectic and surprising. And it made me want to cook a great meal!
6. The perfect vacation is...
The perfect vacation? Wow, that’s a big one. I think I’d like to drive through Spain, France, Italy and Greece stopping at as many great restaurants as possible along the way. Since this is a dream, I insist I get to drive a 1929 SSK Mercedes-Benz, stay at tiny, family owned hotels and can drink any wine on the menu. Why wasn’t I born super-rich?
7. Which do you prefer? Zombies or Vampires?
I’ll take a vampire any day…er, night. Zombies kinda lumber through their days in a daze and seem glum and depressed. Vampires, on the other hand, are party animals, flitting from one nightspot to another, dressed to kill, and spouting one-liners with real bite.
8. Do you have a blog or website that you would like to share with us?
I have a website: jimmurphybooks.com
That’s it. Have a great TLA everyone. Jim Murphy
