Interview Michael Murphy

By

Mallary Mitchell

1. How long have you been writing?

I started my first novel--that I never completed--in grade school. I wrote for the school paper in high school and majored in journalism. I became serious about my writing about ten years ago and completed my first novel about one of the most defining years of my life, 1968. That became the Wings novel, Class of ’68.

2. I noticed Cuts Like A Knife is a Casey Bannister book. Do you have any others for this series in the works?

I have a number of ideas for more Casey Bannister novels, but next up is a spinoff of the series about Casey’s handyman, Bart Wheeler, first introduced in Secrets of Sheridan Manor. It’s called Ramblin’ Man and comes out in June.

3. When you’re not writing what are your favorite things to do?

In addition to my writing, I have a career that keeps me busy. But for enjoyment, there’s my wife of 35 years, my two children and my eight grandchildren.

4. Are there any books, films from childhood that inspired you to become a writer?

I read Gone With the Wind when I was nine. I was a book nerd back then. Writing became a natural offshoot from my interest in reading.

5. If you could become a character from any of your books who would that be?

Dude. It would be the Ramblin’ Man, Bart Wheeler. He’s a kind-hearted, fun-loving dude living each day to the fullest, you know what I’m sayin’?

6. Of those in your books, who is your favorite character and who is your least favorite?

Casey Bannister is probably my favorite character since I’ve spent time with him over three novels, four if you count an appearance in Ramblin’ Man. He even has his own My Space page (myspace/com/caseybannister) where you can read in his blog an interview I had with him.

7. What other books do you have in the works?

I recently finished a suspense novel I very much enjoyed called Scorpion Bay. It’s follows a television reporter’s vendetta against a powerful bio-engineering corporation.