Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have published just one novel, The Lamb. But I did write another novel before that. It was my “starter novel” and it needs a heavy rewrite before its ready to be published. I wrote it in a fast and furious fashion over the course of a couple of months – kind of like my own personal NANOWRIMO – just to see what it was like to write a novel length piece of writing. I also wrote a new adult novella, which similarly needs a heavy rewrite before its ready for public consumption.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest (and only) book is called The Lamb. It is inspired by the Bible story of King David and Bathsheba. I’ve always found this story intriguing from a moral point of view and it was that aspect of the story that I wanted to explore.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Is writing in your underwear unusual?
Just kidding, I don’t do that. Um… I drink a lot of tea while I write.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I really love Ann Patchett, Margaret Atwood, Harriet Scott Chessman, Alice Munro, Hemingway and Haruki Murakami. The one book that influenced me particularly while I was writing ‘The Lamb’, was ‘Waiting For The Barbarians’ by J.M. Coetzee. I studied his use of first person, present tense closely. I also examined ‘Never Let Me Go’ by Ishiguro while writing The Lamb. It’s such a beautiful and emotive novel.
What are you working on now?
Currently I’m working on a short story called ‘A Japanese Man in Yangshou’. I hope to have it finished very soon.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
My own website www.ebpurtill.com or Amazon
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Rewrite, rewrite and rewrite some more. The pages you start with won’t be the ones you’ll want to finish with.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
To slow down and examine the particular scene I’m writing. Especially if its a scene that relates to the heart of the story or a particularly poignant moment.
What are you reading now?
I’m reading ‘On Such A Full Sea’ by Chang-Rae Lee.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I hope to publish my short story soon, and then I have a couple more short story ideas I’m brewing at the moment. I also have a novella half done that I’d like to complete. I also would like to do a project on Wattpad as well, but that may be a little while away.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
‘Breakfast At Tiffany’s’ by Truman Capote … no, wait, that’s too short. I’ll switch it for ‘Too Much Happiness’ by Alice Munro, my favorite collection of short stories. Then I’d go with a really long biography of Abraham Lincoln and The Complete Works of Shakespeare. Two things I’ve been intending to get through for my own personal education but never seem to have the time. And finally ‘The Hitchhikers’ Guide To The Galaxy’ by Douglas Adams to make me laugh when I got lonely and sad.
Author Websites and Profiles
E.B. Purtill Website
E.B. Purtill Amazon Profile
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