Author Interview with Lynn Murphy

If you could travel in a Time Machine would you go back to the past or into the future?
The past. I enjoy studying history. I’m not sure I want to know what’s in the future before it happens.

If you could invite any 5 people to dinner who would you choose?  

Barbara Bush, Lance Armstrong, J.K. Rowling, Kate Middleton and Hugh Laurie.

If you were stranded on a desert island what 3 things would you want with you?

 A really thick book, Harry and David Blueberry Chocolates and lipstick. (My mother taught me never to leave the house without the last item.)

What is one book everyone should read?

Atlas Shrugged or Farenheit 451.

If you were a superhero what would your name be?

 I have no idea!

What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?

 Strawberry. Boring, I know.

If you could meet one person who has died who would you choose?

 I would choose  to meet Sonia Weitz, author of I Promised I Would Tell. I knew her through email correspondence, but she died before we could meet face to face.

Night owl, or early bird?  

I am more of morning person, but I have to wake up first. I do get more done in the morning and prefer to work out early.

One food you would never eat?

 Beets.

Skittles or M&Ms?

 M&M’s definitely.

Please tell us in one sentence only, why we should read your book.

It speaks to character, crossing racial barriers and facing challenges head on.

Any other books in the works? Goals for future projects? 

I am working on two now, one is a sequel to I’ll Be Seeing You, my first novel, and the other a World War II love story  that’s been taking up space in my head for several years now that takes place mostly in Terezin concentration camp.

What inspired you to want to become a writer?

I don’t know if I had one particular inspiration, I have just always wanted to write. I can’t remember a time when I didn’t create stories.

If you could jump in to a book, and live in that world.. which would it be?  Camelot or maybe Narnia.

What was your favorite book when you were a child/teen? 

I had several. I read To Kill A Mockingbird every summer at my grandparents’ house, I loved (and still love) The Once and Future King in high school. Other long time favorites were A Separate Peace, A Tale Of Two Cities and Nicholas and Alexandra.

Is there a song you could list as the theme song for your book or any of your characters?

When I was writing The Time Of My Life, I was driving and heard David Cook’s song by the same title and it completely fit where I was going with the plot. If it was ever a movie, I’d want that song as the title theme!

What’s one piece of advice you would give aspiring authors?

 Keep writing and believe that you can be published and sell books.

If you could choose only one time period and place to live, when and where would you live and why? 

I have always been attracted to the era of World War II, but not in the way most people would think. I have worked quite a bit with Facing History and Ourselves and won awards for teaching about the Holocaust. My students used to say I would be Irena Sendler or Corrie ten Boom, and dedicate my life to saving those slated to die in the Holocaust.

If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?

 Probably right where I live, in Peachtree City, GA.

What is your favorite Quote?

I have a quote by C.S. Lewis hanging up in my office that reads “One day you will be old enough to read fairy tales again.”

When you were little, what did you want to be when you “grew up”?

 A great American novelist. ( Okay, maybe I once thought it would be fun to be a control agent too, like Maxwell Smart and 99.)

Who are your favorite authors of all time?

T.H. White, Harper Lee, Karen Kingsbury, Jodi Picoult, Sophie Kinsella, Mary Kay Andrews, and many of the classic authors.

Can you see yourself in any of your characters?

 Maybe just a little, but for the most part, my characters aren’t based on real people.

What’s the best advice anyone has ever given you?

Put your books out in Kindle format.

Hidden talent?

 I know the words to at least two songs from every Disney musical.

Favorite Food?

 Avocados, any way you can fix them.

Favorite Candy?

Harry and David Blueberry Chocolates, but in their absence, milk duds.

What was your favorite children’s book?

The Little Prince.

How do you react to a bad review?

With a grain of salt.

If you could have a signed copy of any novel what would it be and why?

Les Miserables because I love the story and wish I could write as well as Victor Hugo.

You have won one million dollars what is the first thing that you would buy?

 An original painting by Renior.

What do you do in your free time? 

Run, write, photography, read, various forms of artwork. I also enjoy hiking, canoeing and riding my bike.

What TV show/movie/book do you watch/read that you’d be embarrassed to admit?

 That 70’s show! My children got me hooked on it.

Favorite places to travel?

We love to hike and we also enjoy the beach. Memorable trips include Lake Powell, Bermuda, Aruba and Key Largo.

Favorite music?

Andrew Lloyd Webber musicals and anything by Cole Porter, much to the chagrin of my husband and children.

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