Good day What Nikki Read readers,
Today I’m very lucky to be interviewing AE Murphy author of A Little Bit of Crazy (Little bits)
Hi Alexandra, thank you for agreeing to this interview. Tell us a little about yourself and your background?
I’m twenty two years old with two young children who I love dearly and who drive me and my partner crazy. I love to write, read or listen to music. There’s not too much to say really, I went to school and graduated college, I got decent grades but I’m flaky and change my mind constantly. The only thing that has ever been a constant dream of mine is my writing. It’s something I’ve always done since I could hold a pen for the first time.
Which writers inspire you?
I would have to say… Kristen Ashley, Nicole Williams and Alice Clayton. All of the books in my top ten are written by these lovely ladies. Their writing styles are so different and unique. I want to be on this list for somebody else one day.
So, what was your inspiration for the book A Little bit of crazy?
Whenever anyone asks me this I laugh because I honestly don’t know. I write a lot, I have over two hundred incomplete novels on my hard drive. I start writing, get about a hundred pages in and change my mind. It’s irritating sometimes.
Do you have a preferred genre that you like to write?
Romance and paranormal definitely.
What draws you to this genre?
My age maybe? Being naïve and in love? Who knows? I love the escapism of them I guess.
Which actor/actress would you like to see playing the lead character from your most recent book?
Wow, I haven’t even thought about it…. Hmm… I genuinely have no idea. I have an image in my head but I can’t think of anyone that matches.
How much research do you do?
Too much. Far too much. I overload myself sometimes and end up getting my facts wrong. I love it though, I love to learn. Especially all the research I’ve had to do on the differences between the American and the English languages.
What made you decide to sit down and actually start something?
I’ve always written but sometimes when I’m reading I think… huh, I really wanted them to do such and such. Or I fancy a book based on a certain story line and it doesn’t exist so I have a go at writing it myself. That’s my aim, to write books that are different. My writing isn’t great, my vocabulary is far too small but I will learn in time and hopefully accomplish this goal.
Do you have a special time to write or how is your day structured?
I take my daughter to school as she is six years old. My son is three and goes to nursery three afternoons a week. I just write when I have a moment or when the kids aren’t home. Anyone who has kids knows how unpredictable your day can become in an instant so I don’t set a writing routine.
Do you write every day, 5 days a week or as and when?
As and when. Just whenever I have the time. Sometimes it could be for hours on end, others I could have a bad brain day and not write at all.
Do you aim for a set amount of words/pages per day?
No, I think if you put that kind of pressure on yourself writing becomes a chore. Of course it’s always good to have something to aim for but I prefer to just go with the flow.
Do you write full-time or part-time?
It all depends on my time and mood, this last week I’ve written part-time. Book three in my series is the biggest challenge for me yet so I’ve been stopping and starting constantly and scrapping it before rewriting it more often than not.
Do you work to an outline or plot or do you prefer just see where an idea takes you?
This probably sounds weird but I let the characters write it for me. With A Little Bit of Crazy I wrote that in a few days, just because. With part two (A Little Bit of Us) I genuinely had no idea how it was going to end. I had no idea what was going to happen throughout the entire book. It just comes I guess. Once I have a certain characters personality they come to life in my mind. I don’t think about how I want it to go, I think… if they were real people how would they react to this situation.
Have you got a special place you do your writing?
On my couch, with a stack of cushions behind me. Not very interesting I know. Although, when I get writers block my partner takes me on a really long drive through the country side, there’s just something about the peacefulness you get whilst on the road that really clears my mind and fills it with ideas.
How long on average does it take you to write a book?
Depends on the book. Part one took me a few days to write and a few days to edit although I should have spent more time editing that one. Part two took me ten days to write and four days to edit, but I also reread each chapter a few times so there wasn’t much editing to be done. I hope.
Do you read much and if so who are your favourite authors?
Kristen Ashley, Alice Clayton, Nicole Williams. And yes, I read a lot. In the past eight months alone I’ve read over four hundred books. I’m a fast reader and I really love to read. TV doesn’t hold my interest, I enjoy the occasional movie, but that’s it.
For your own reading, do you prefer eBooks or traditional paper/hard back books?
I love the smell, the feel and the look of paperback books. But a kindle is much more efficient and easier to carry around. Saying that though, if there is a book I really like and would want to read again and again I buy it in paperback too, or hardback. Just for the sake of having it really.
Do you proofread/edit all your own books or do you get someone to do that for you??
With book one I did all of that myself, but it’s so hard to edit your own books. It’s strange the things I’ve overlooked which I wouldn’t have in somebody else’s work. So now I do have a wonderful woman helping me, she helped me proofread book two and is also helping me with book three. She calls me out on my mistakes and what parts she thinks don’t work. I don’t know what I did without her!
Who designed your book cover/s?
I designed my book covers by taking the pictures I liked from the Amazon book cover app and tweaking them with picture editing software. They aren’t perfect but they are simple and sweet.
Do you think that the cover plays an important part in the buying process?
A lot of people say don’t judge a book by its cover but most people do. I don’t like it when you can see the hero’s face on the cover because I like to imagine what he or she looks like myself. This is why in my own book I don’t add too much description. Saying that though, I still buy a book if it sounds good, I tend to ignore the covers these days.
How do you relax?
With a cappuccino, a book and/or a bath.
Where can you see yourself in 8 years time?
Hopefully alive… Other than that I have no idea.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Pay better attention in school and stop arguing with your mom!
What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
If you believe you will never achieve. You won’t. If it’s what you love then do not give up.
How can readers discover more about you and your work?
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alexandra.murphy.522066
Twitter: https://twitter.com/A_E_Murphy
E-mail: [email protected]
Book 1:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Little-Bit-Crazy-Bits-ebook/dp/B00D4K5XC8/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1372244690&sr=1-1&keywords=a+little+bit+of+crazy
Book 2:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Little-Bit-Us-Bits-ebook/dp/B00DH2JL6W/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1372244719&sr=1-1&keywords=a+little+bit+of+us
Goodreads:
http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/14799411-alexandra-murphy
Thank you Nikki for the interview and the book review J xx
Thank you so much for taking part in this Interview, I personally loved your first novel and can't wait for the next installment! xx
Today I’m very lucky to be interviewing AE Murphy author of A Little Bit of Crazy (Little bits)
Hi Alexandra, thank you for agreeing to this interview. Tell us a little about yourself and your background?
I’m twenty two years old with two young children who I love dearly and who drive me and my partner crazy. I love to write, read or listen to music. There’s not too much to say really, I went to school and graduated college, I got decent grades but I’m flaky and change my mind constantly. The only thing that has ever been a constant dream of mine is my writing. It’s something I’ve always done since I could hold a pen for the first time.
Which writers inspire you?
I would have to say… Kristen Ashley, Nicole Williams and Alice Clayton. All of the books in my top ten are written by these lovely ladies. Their writing styles are so different and unique. I want to be on this list for somebody else one day.
So, what was your inspiration for the book A Little bit of crazy?
Whenever anyone asks me this I laugh because I honestly don’t know. I write a lot, I have over two hundred incomplete novels on my hard drive. I start writing, get about a hundred pages in and change my mind. It’s irritating sometimes.
Do you have a preferred genre that you like to write?
Romance and paranormal definitely.
What draws you to this genre?
My age maybe? Being naïve and in love? Who knows? I love the escapism of them I guess.
Which actor/actress would you like to see playing the lead character from your most recent book?
Wow, I haven’t even thought about it…. Hmm… I genuinely have no idea. I have an image in my head but I can’t think of anyone that matches.
How much research do you do?
Too much. Far too much. I overload myself sometimes and end up getting my facts wrong. I love it though, I love to learn. Especially all the research I’ve had to do on the differences between the American and the English languages.
What made you decide to sit down and actually start something?
I’ve always written but sometimes when I’m reading I think… huh, I really wanted them to do such and such. Or I fancy a book based on a certain story line and it doesn’t exist so I have a go at writing it myself. That’s my aim, to write books that are different. My writing isn’t great, my vocabulary is far too small but I will learn in time and hopefully accomplish this goal.
Do you have a special time to write or how is your day structured?
I take my daughter to school as she is six years old. My son is three and goes to nursery three afternoons a week. I just write when I have a moment or when the kids aren’t home. Anyone who has kids knows how unpredictable your day can become in an instant so I don’t set a writing routine.
Do you write every day, 5 days a week or as and when?
As and when. Just whenever I have the time. Sometimes it could be for hours on end, others I could have a bad brain day and not write at all.
Do you aim for a set amount of words/pages per day?
No, I think if you put that kind of pressure on yourself writing becomes a chore. Of course it’s always good to have something to aim for but I prefer to just go with the flow.
Do you write full-time or part-time?
It all depends on my time and mood, this last week I’ve written part-time. Book three in my series is the biggest challenge for me yet so I’ve been stopping and starting constantly and scrapping it before rewriting it more often than not.
Do you work to an outline or plot or do you prefer just see where an idea takes you?
This probably sounds weird but I let the characters write it for me. With A Little Bit of Crazy I wrote that in a few days, just because. With part two (A Little Bit of Us) I genuinely had no idea how it was going to end. I had no idea what was going to happen throughout the entire book. It just comes I guess. Once I have a certain characters personality they come to life in my mind. I don’t think about how I want it to go, I think… if they were real people how would they react to this situation.
Have you got a special place you do your writing?
On my couch, with a stack of cushions behind me. Not very interesting I know. Although, when I get writers block my partner takes me on a really long drive through the country side, there’s just something about the peacefulness you get whilst on the road that really clears my mind and fills it with ideas.
How long on average does it take you to write a book?
Depends on the book. Part one took me a few days to write and a few days to edit although I should have spent more time editing that one. Part two took me ten days to write and four days to edit, but I also reread each chapter a few times so there wasn’t much editing to be done. I hope.
Do you read much and if so who are your favourite authors?
Kristen Ashley, Alice Clayton, Nicole Williams. And yes, I read a lot. In the past eight months alone I’ve read over four hundred books. I’m a fast reader and I really love to read. TV doesn’t hold my interest, I enjoy the occasional movie, but that’s it.
For your own reading, do you prefer eBooks or traditional paper/hard back books?
I love the smell, the feel and the look of paperback books. But a kindle is much more efficient and easier to carry around. Saying that though, if there is a book I really like and would want to read again and again I buy it in paperback too, or hardback. Just for the sake of having it really.
Do you proofread/edit all your own books or do you get someone to do that for you??
With book one I did all of that myself, but it’s so hard to edit your own books. It’s strange the things I’ve overlooked which I wouldn’t have in somebody else’s work. So now I do have a wonderful woman helping me, she helped me proofread book two and is also helping me with book three. She calls me out on my mistakes and what parts she thinks don’t work. I don’t know what I did without her!
Who designed your book cover/s?
I designed my book covers by taking the pictures I liked from the Amazon book cover app and tweaking them with picture editing software. They aren’t perfect but they are simple and sweet.
Do you think that the cover plays an important part in the buying process?
A lot of people say don’t judge a book by its cover but most people do. I don’t like it when you can see the hero’s face on the cover because I like to imagine what he or she looks like myself. This is why in my own book I don’t add too much description. Saying that though, I still buy a book if it sounds good, I tend to ignore the covers these days.
How do you relax?
With a cappuccino, a book and/or a bath.
Where can you see yourself in 8 years time?
Hopefully alive… Other than that I have no idea.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Pay better attention in school and stop arguing with your mom!
What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
If you believe you will never achieve. You won’t. If it’s what you love then do not give up.
How can readers discover more about you and your work?
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alexandra.murphy.522066
Twitter: https://twitter.com/A_E_Murphy
E-mail: [email protected]
Book 1:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Little-Bit-Crazy-Bits-ebook/dp/B00D4K5XC8/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1372244690&sr=1-1&keywords=a+little+bit+of+crazy
Book 2:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Little-Bit-Us-Bits-ebook/dp/B00DH2JL6W/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1372244719&sr=1-1&keywords=a+little+bit+of+us
Goodreads:
http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/14799411-alexandra-murphy
Thank you Nikki for the interview and the book review J xx
Thank you so much for taking part in this Interview, I personally loved your first novel and can't wait for the next installment! xx