Interview With Author Nathan Murphy
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am currently the founder and Lead Researcher at Prepolitica, a research group that takes a science-first approach to the development of political theory. Over the past five years—he has been working in political theory, writing academic papers, and presenting at conferences.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book, ‘The Ideas That Rule Us’ was inspired by fundamental questions we all face in our lives; why do we live as we do? And, why do we make the decisions we make—when there are so many other options?
To answer the questions, by necessity, we need to examine our socialisation—the process in which we go from being a helpless baby to being a capable adult. If looking at our socialisation we must also look at ideas because, in effect, socialisation is the embedding of thousands of ideas into our developing brains to the point at which adherence to their values and behaviours becomes largely automatic.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t know if it is unusual, but my process is largely that of a siege. I work hard for long hours—something that is achievable because much of my writing process is research-based. Perhaps what is more unusual, is that during the most intense two years of writing the book, once my mind felt cooked, I would drive up a mountain (which happens to be outside my house) and work on developing new rock climbing areas.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I really like any non-fiction author who has spent years developing ideas or distilling their field into a book that anyone can read. Authors like Robert Sapolsky, David Graber, Matthieu Riccard or John T. Cacioppo for example.
What are you working on now?
I am currently working on a book about wealth. This book feels like it naturally follows on from The Ideas That Rule Us and the theoretical framework that was developed within it.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I had a successful bookbub promotion which really helped kickstart sales on Amazon.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t do it! I am only half joking. Writing ‘The Ideas That Rule Us’ was a real, hard, slog. The process took 5 years and more than half of that was full-on with 12hr days, 6 days a week. The part I enjoy; theory-making and making sense of big complicated things felt like it was about 20 per cent of the whole process—the rest felt like hard work.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I don’t know where it came from, but I love the phrase “Hard Decisions, Easy Life” and it’s opposite “Easy Decisions, Hard Life”. This applies to us for big decision, but even more so in daily life. If we take the small hard decision to work on a daily basis, to have difficult conversations, to accept the discomfort of learning new things, then we end up having a much easier life.
What are you reading now?
I am currently reading books and papers to support my new book about Wealth. It is a far smaller undertaking so the reading list is bearable!
What’s next for you as a writer?
I am in the promotional phase. I have long considered that I need to put a similar amount of energy into promotion as I do into the writing so largely expect this promotional phae to last at least a year. In the meantime, I am trying to keep producing some work of value.
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?
I think with a desert island being a difficult and potentially lonely place I would focus on books that would help me keep my mind intact. Books like Happiness by Matthieu Ricard and perhaps a few hits by the ancient stoic philosophers.
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