Join us as we peek behind the scenes of our upcoming anthology, ON TIME. Learn more about Mike Murphy in his featured interview.
ABOUT THE STORY
What inspired your story?
I’ve always been a big fan of stories where people inadvertently change the world – all the way back to Ray Bradbury’s butterfly. This story just came into my head one day.
Can you tell us a little bit about your protagonist?
Warren is simply trying to impress Allison. He should have guessed that, with how hung up on herself she is, his marvelous invention wouldn’t hit her mark.
What is the most interesting thing about the world you’ve created?
How what was vanity is now accepted as mandatory.
What genre or mix of genres does your story fit into?
Definitely science fiction.
How have your personal experiences influenced this story?
Not at all. Sadly, I’ve never had a time machine.
What would you like readers to take away from your story?
That selfie really isn’t very important.
What was your favorite part of the story to write and why?
The very end, where Allison’s changes are revealed. At first, I wasn’t so sure of how big to take it.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
When did you write your first story, how old were you, and what was it about?
As a young teen, I wrote [in longhand!] forgettable tales about the crew of the USS Voyager [long before the series]. For better or worse, I have none. I chalk it up to good discipline and practice. Any writing has its benefits.
What is your writing survival checklist? (Aka, what helps your write the best: music, snacks, coffee, complete silence, a stress ball, a cat, or an outline, etc.)
I tend to need quiet, which is tough if my son is about. After that, give me the kitchen table, my beaten-up laptop, and lots of water.
What has influenced you most as a writer?
The hope of influencing someone else to create their own art. The money helps too.
What font do you prefer to write in?
Times New Roman 12. I do magnify the Word page to 150% though. The old eyes aren’t what they once were.
Do you have any writing blogs/vlogs/podcasts, etc. that you would recommend?
Not that I can think of. I don’t know how qualified I am to advise people. Somehow, I can tell some decent stories. I’m not really sure how.
What is your favorite and least favorite word, and why?
Cacophony. To me, it’s harsh and relates noise I could do without.
Have something that you’re itching to talk about, include it here.
Neil Gaiman said all writers hope that elves will come in the night and finish their writing for them. Not gonna happen. Finish what you write. Find the time. Sleep is overrated.
Mike has had over 150 audio plays produced in the U.S. and overseas. He’s won The Columbine Award and a dozen Moondance International Film Festival awards in their TV pilot, audio play, short screenplay, and short story categories.
His prose work has appeared in several magazines and anthologies. In 2015, his script “The Candy Man” was produced as a short film under the title Dark Chocolate. His second short film, Hotline, is in post-production. In 2013, he won the inaugural Marion Thauer Brown Audio Drama Scriptwriting Competition.
Mike keeps a blog at audioauthor.blogspot.com.
ON TIME is out now. Get your copy at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, or the exclusive hardback at transmundanepress.com.
Transmundane Press 