Today I’m talking to Jim Murdoch.
Hi Jim. First of all tell my readers what kind of books you write.
I write metaphysical/visionary fiction. That means to me stories which incorporate elements from the non-physical world. The sub-conscious, the super-conscious, past lives, mystical creatures, a bit of magic all find their way into my stories, as do romance, karma and a mix of characters, some who learn or understand the non-physical world and those who don’t.
That’s a good definition. Sounds a bit like my metaphysical fiction. Funny that! Haha.
Tell us a bit about yourself.
I live in Switzerland in a small mountain city with my wife and our four sons and their families. I grew up in Belfast, Northern Ireland where I set out on a religious path to help others. I have since widened my horizon to include possible multiple universes, a universal consciousness and an understanding that we are all connected on multiple levels. I work as an IT coordinator in a small finance company.
Why do you write?
Firstly, I write because it is fun. I enjoy seeing the stories develop and the characters emerge. I enjoy the process from the idea to the outline to the developed story. I also write as a means to share my ideas about life and transformation and my characters are a perfect channel to do that.
How long have you been writing, and when was your first book published?
I have been actively writing since 2012. That is when I decided to call myself an author and to finish the book I had been working on for the previous two or three years. That book, “Pursuit”, was self-published in 2013.
(Click on the cover to find out more)
Nice cover.
Thanks. In 2008 I published a self-help book, “Wings of Change”, co-authored by my wife, Katharina.
(Click on the cover to find out more)
That has since been disowned by the publisher and I have republished it with my other books. Since 3013 I have been steadily writing and have self-published four novels.
Disowned? Wow, I bet there’s a story there. It’s one of the reasons why it’s good to be your own publisher – you can rely on yourself.
Tell me about your latest book.
My latest book is “Found Again”. This follows the self-realisation journey of Hilda, forty years old with a history of abuse and failed relationships and marriages. Her past and a dream set her down a path where she remembers multiple past lives and how they may be the cause of her current state. They also reveal the struggles of two souls who have failed to come together successfully. Perhaps this life will correct that.
(Click on the cover to find out more)
There are a lot of people writing books these days, what makes your writing unique?
I like to make my characters and the situations they face feel real. Even where I have incorporated invisible, mystical, shape-shifting dragons, I make it as real as I can to make it believable. Even the magic, which is seen a little in the Dragons and Visions series, could leave the reader wondering, “Could that happen to me?”
What aspects of your personality and interests come through in your books?
The reader will detect my aversion to religion. May main characters tend to reflect this. They will inevitably also face some situation where they meet a mystical being, spirit or ghost, or have some memories of a past life. Human potential is something I like to write about because I believe in it, where will and determination can create the desired circumstances. My novels are not teaching books, they are stories to entertain, but the open-mined reader will undoubtedly learn something or at least be presented with some new ideas about life.
Where do your ideas come from?
That is a difficult question to answer because I don’t always know where the ideas come from. Sometimes an idea just pops into my head (or was it downloaded from some higher source?). It may be an experience which prompts an idea, listening to someone’s story, or answering a question. Or the idea may be the result of a collection of of thoughts from a TV series intro to a conversation with my therapy wife – which will inspire a future book waiting to be written.
What kind of person would like your books best?
Those who love a feel good story but don’t shy away from mystery, a touch of sex, some violence and characters who might die will enjoy my books. Readers should be prepared to be swept into a world like ours where unusual things happen or where people simply kick-ass to change their lives.
Sounds good.
What is the most unusual object you possess?
I have a dragon carved in a spiral from a single piece of wood which I bought in Bali, Indonesia. It sits on my window sill staring up at the mountains wishing it could fly up there.
Nice. Thanks for the chat, Jim.
Website: http://jmurdoch.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JimMurdochAuthor/
Want to read more posts like this? If so, subscribe to new content delivered by email (see the button on the right side bar).
If you’re an author, you’ll find my book on writing, The Elements of Active Prose: WritingTips to Make Your Prose Shine, very helpful.
If you like stories with action, romance and a contemplative element, you’ll enjoy my fiction, so take a look in my bookshop before you go.
You can also follow me on all sorts of social media by clicking the buttons at the top of my website.
CLICK HERE FOR A FREE DOWNLOAD OF MY AWARD-WINNING FANTASY LETHAL INHERITANCE
