Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Just one completed book so far, with 2 more in the manuscript stages and probably close to 100 more in the form of post-it note scribbles.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
‘My cat won’t stop stealing straws: and 20 other odd cat behaviors investigated’ is a nonfiction work of the strange things my cats do, and what I found out about why they do it when I researched it.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Sure, I think every good writer does. That’s what makes your writing original. I write for hours a day. Whether it’s working on my novel, my next nonfiction, my blog, or other work, writing is what I do. I wake up, turn on my Keurig, open the blinds for the cats, and write until I can’t keep my eyes open anymore.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I think every book I’ve read has influenced me. My short chapter structure comes from my love of James Patterson novels. My bookshelf is overflowing with nonfiction on everything from JavaScript to aquaponics, culinary arts to borderline personality disorder. College textbooks, children’s nonfiction, novels. If I’m not writing, I read. Finding inspiration everywhere, even in the most mundane book, is critical of every writer.
What are you working on now?
I’m working on another short nonfiction, detailing what I learned from self-publishing for the first time. It’s harder than it looks. A lot of education and research goes into it, and for writers just starting out, I think it’s going to be a great helpful guide.
I’m also working on the beginning of a novel, that looks like it’s going to be my first series. I’m really letting the characters run the show on this one, which makes for a really interesting writing experience. It also makes for interesting conversation with my in-laws.
“What are you writing now?”
“Actually, I’m working on a novel.”
“Oh, what’s it about?”
“I have no idea.”
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I love the Kindle platform and my WordPress website. I think it’s also really important to understand how things like Google and Facebook work for rankings and promotions.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Grow a thick skin. If you can’t handle criticism, do not publish. It’s the way of the world, people have opinions, and they share them a lot. You’ll hear rude comments, you’ll hear a lot of the word no. It’s okay, you only need one yes.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
If you’re going to be broke, you may as well do something you love.
What are you reading now?
An author in a writing group I’m a part of just published a book called “Sheep of God” which is really an excellent read so far. I always like to keep a fiction and a non-fiction going at the same time, both in my writing and my reading, so I’m also reading Author in Progress by Therese Walsh.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Marketing and publicity. Everyone is so worried about their privacy online- who has their data, who knows what they’re texting… while writers struggle to gain an audience every day. There’s a lot more to being a writer than writing a manuscript in 2018. There’s publishing, sales, marketing, advertising, cover designs, editing… sure, you can outsource, but you can’t pay the bills for outsourcing if you can’t sell your book. Really mastering that art is my next goal.
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?
Gone with the Wind for sure, I’ve been picking that book up and then putting it back down for years. Something always stops me from finishing it.
A Game of Thrones, simply because I’ll never read it unless I’m stranded on an island. I understand the widespread reach of it, but it simply isn’t a genre I like reading.
A college textbook on something I don’t know much about. As long as you live, you’ll never know everything about everything. But what is the purpose of life if we don’t try?
And a notebook. Being stranded in a new place would be inspiring. I’d want to get as much written as I could.
Author Websites and Profiles
Lindsay Murtle Website
Lindsay Murtle Amazon Profile
Lindsay Murtle’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile