Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a mentor, strategic communicator, and full-time traveler. I’ve spent the past decade helping do-gooders get their message out. I’m an ESTJ, so I’m addicted to hearing, “Thank you for your help,” and building or rethinking systems. My morning must-reads are NPR, Fast Company, and The Atlantic, and my Kindle is filled with young adult fiction.
In 2013, my husband, Chris, and I decided to leave our home in San Francisco, California to explore Latin America. We set out with two backpacks and our 15-year-old dog, Holly, to learn bravery and perspective, research our next projects, and learn to make killer refried beans. During our travels, I was inspired to write my first e-book.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My first e-book is called “Awesome Supervisory Skills: Seven Lessons for Young, First-Time Managers.” During our travels, I’ve had a lot of time to reflect and I found myself asking, what do I have to offer the world? The one thing that consistently popped into mind was supervisory skills. I love helping people, and what a lot of first-time managers don’t realize is that management is about helping people.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Hah! I’m not sure. I’m a big fan of the brain dump: just throw a list of all of your ideas onto a page, then figure out how to organize it later. I’ve found it helps to keep it in something like Evernote, so you can update it from any device. It’s helpful to be able to whip out your phone on a train or wherever when you think of something suddenly.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love Penelope Trunk — she has both an e-book and a blog with excellent career and life advice. And she keeps it real. But otherwise, most of the books I read are young adult paranormal fiction.
What are you working on now?
I’m teaching a class on how to give an awesome media interview on Skillshare, and am thinking about doing another one about how to give a good 15-second elevator speech. Hopefully no one puts it together before I do!
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m new at this, so I don’t yet know which website is best. But I can say that you should absolutely, positively, 100 percent tap your friends and family to help spread the word.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Even if you’re scared, just go ahead and put your ideas out there. Watch Brene Brown’s TED talk on the power of vulnerability if you don’t believe me.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
My dad sent me this Goethe quote that gave me the courage to quit my job and travel full time. Here it is:
Until one is committed there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness.
Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too.
All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred.
A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his way.
Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.
What are you reading now?
Gameboard of the Gods by Richelle Mead
What’s next for you as a writer?
No idea! Maybe something about how to travel full time.
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’m totally going to cheat here and pick three SERIES I’d bring: Harry Potter, Sookie Stackhouse, and Vampire Academy.
Author Websites and Profiles
Tamara Murray Website
Tamara Murray Amazon Profile
Tamara Murray’s Social Media Links
Twitter Account