Author Spotlight: Kearsie Murphy

Over the years, I’ve come to know a number of incredible authors as I have gotten deeper into the art of writing. However, I have few friends from high school or college that have ventured into this world. So, when I learned that an old college friend published her first book, I was super excited! Kearsie and I attended college together for a short time. (I left college when I realized I’d have to go into incredible debt in order to remain.) But while I was there, I met so many incredible people, all of whom left indelible marks on my life. Kearsie is definitely one of those people. She was an instant favorite person to be around because she is one of those people who can make even the most shy, hide-me-in-a-corner-where-no-one-will-notice-me-but-I-can-still-be-present people (ME… that is ME) feel completely at ease and welcome. 

So, it is with so much delight and excitement that I get to introduce Kearsie Murphy to you all.

•Kearsie’s debut novel is titled Parasomnia and is a YA Fiction. I asked Kearsie to give me a synopsis of Parasomnia.

Deena Rogers is a 16-year-old girl who time travels when she sleeps. Her dreams take her back to past memories so she relives those days. As a result, her reality when she wakes is always changing. 

•What an interesting premise and a chaotic problem for a teenager!

Tell me, what inspired you to tell this story?

I wrote a short story years ago called The Regretter about a woman who had the superpower to change decisions she regretted. It morphed into this story. I started writing for NaNoWriMo just to see how far I could get. 

•NaNoWriMo has proven to be an incredible motivator to me as well. I’m so glad it gave you the opportunity to dig into your story more. Is Deena, or one of the main characters, inspired by someone you know in real life?

Not really, but I think Deena is the kind of girl a lot of people can relate to. She’s me, in a lot of ways. For example, I love music and movies and books, ergo Deena loves music and movies and books. And her biting wit, that’s pretty much me as well. Sarcasm can be a fun language to speak.

•See – as I remember you, I remember, not sarcasm so much as dry wit. It was such a different sense of humor and always made me stop and consider more about the conversation. Maybe that is why I like British humor so much. Haha! Sorry, I digress… In what ways do you think teenage girls might relate to Deena?

I’m not sure if you remember what it was like to be 16, but it kind of sucks. So much of your life is out of control and in the hands of others. It can cause some resentment and feeling so lost. And unless you have a sparkly, shiny personality, you can feel so invisible in the world. While I haven’t lost a parent, having someone so integral to your life be stripped away leaves a hole that takes so long to grow around. Not to mention dating and all the fun and chaos that can bring. 

•Sigh… I do remember those teen years. Especially the confusion mingled with inexplicable fears and uncertainties. And then adding time travel to the mix? Whoa… Time travel is a complicated concept to tackle. Has the idea of time travel been intriguing to you in general? 

That’s a good question! I think time travel is interesting, at the very least. I don’t think I’m the only one who has wondered if their life would be better if some event had gone differently for them in the past. If you go down that rabbit hole, it can lead to madness. I think I’m more intrigued with the idea that there’s peace in the acceptance of what has actually happened regardless of tragedy or mistakes. 

…the idea that there’s peace in the acceptance of what has actually happened regardless of tragedy or mistakes.

•I LOVE that! Peace in acceptance… Yes! Yes! Okay, seriously, I’d high-five you if you were here in person! What challenges did you find as you were contemplating time travel?

In Deena’s case, as her reality is constantly shifting based on making different decisions or preventing certain outcomes, it just gets confusing. The hardest thing to comprehend is, of course, how it happens. I don’t even touch on that in my book because I might as well explain how an orange tastes or why the color green is nice. It’s open to interpretation for everyone. So, explaining the how was the most challenging.

•I have to agree. I tend to avoid books and shows where time travel is central to the story for that exact reason: the “how” of it all, unless told supremely well, most often just confuses me. I prefer these more abstract concepts to be left as that – abstract. Let my imagination fill in those blanks. Makes the adventure even more personal to me then. So, I think you are spot on approaching it that way.

Was there anything about Parasomnia‘s take on time travel that might be unique to other time travel books and stories? (aka – did you have to break any “time travel rules?”)

Another great question! In Parasomnia, time travel takes place through Deena’s dreams. She’s actually reliving a day, facing the same choices as before, with the option to make new choices. But ah, there’s the rub- what if those new choices didn’t necessarily make her present day any better or any different? Or what if she failed to change a particular outcome although she tried her hardest? That’s her daily dilemma- did she “fix” what was broken. I’ll have to give more thought to time travel rules, because actually that’s pretty fascinating to think about.

•Would you share a snippet from Parasomnia?

•Fantastic! Thank you! That is a perfect hook! Gets me pulled in right away.

As you were writing Parasomnia, was there any aspect of hashing out Deena’s story that was difficult for you?

Honestly? The kissing bits. Listen, no shade on romance authors, but writing any form of intimacy makes me want to curl up and hide. When I was 16, I was so awkward and unsure about anything, let alone kissing. So, I tried to write that. I wrote the awkward. Ugh. 

•Not laughing because that is funny – but laughing because I can relate. Those few sorta romantic bits in any of my writing are soooo blasted hard for me to write! Truly awkward. I work hard to keep that awkwardness out of my writing, but I am not sure I succeed. ::shrug:: 

About your writing process: was there any part of writing Parasomnia that was fun for you? 

Ooh, another great question. Character developing is really fun, because you can write a character however you want, with whatever personality you feel like is plausible. I wrote Deena and her best friend, Hester, as polar opposites. I don’t like to plan things, so I’m what you call a “pantser”- I write by the seat of my pants. For me, it’s much more fun. I knew my ending long before I knew the middle stuff, so that was the challenge- bridging the middle to the end.

•Same here. I am a panster and I let my characters lead the way to the known end. It is fun to write this way, but (for me) it can be challenging, and can do some serious damage to my “planned” ending. 

Who do you hope will read your book?

Anyone! But it’s especially written for young adults. I’m a Gen X so I threw in lots of what I call “Easter eggs” in the way of 80s movie references. Those are older references that the newer generations might not get, but us older folks will appreciate. They say to write for yourself, so I wrote a book that I wanted to read, if that makes sense.

•Awesome! As you know, I haven’t read Parasomnia yet. But the more you tell me about it, the more antsy I am getting to finish my current read so I can pick up Deena’s story.

Tell me, how did you get into writing?

I started blogging 14 years ago and found that I really loved writing. It was a particular joy in learning how to turn a phrase and connect with an audience. 

•I remember your blog fondly. You always had an incredible sense of humor, and that was evident in your blog. Do you still blog now?

No, which is horribly sad because I adored blogging. I think that blogging went out of fashion a while back in light of video uploads. Those are fine, of course, but there’s a lost art in the written word. I found such a fun community of people through blogging during a time when I was feeling really lonely. There were lots of “mommy blogs” out there on the internets, but I wanted to create a fun place of Unnecessary Capitalization and madeuppy words, where I could show and tell all the funny things in my little corner of the world. The best part was the friendships that came out of that experience. And that I felt like I gave my blog readers something positive and fun to read, hopefully to make their day just a little bit better. 

•You really did. 

Following Parasomnia, are you planning on publishing any other books?

If you have a work in progress, can you share a little about it?

In short, yes. I wrote Parasomnia with an open ending on purpose, so the reader wouldn’t know if it was the end for Deena. But The Muse has been at work in my brain, and I’ve got some fun ideas for a sequel. I’m enamored with the idea of a murder mystery, so that’s something I’m also mulling over. But everything is on hold as I help my husband, who is also a writer, complete two different books he’s at work on right now as I’m his main editor. So, I hope to give my full attention to a sequel later this year, once he’s finished. This is turn around for fair play as he read my book three times and he doesn’t even like fiction, let alone YA.

•I’m glad he is so supportive. That support makes the writing experience so much more fun. I know he appreciates your help and support as well.

How long have you been writing?

It’s complicated- I started this story 12 years ago but breast cancer and chemo derailed me from completing until this year. Chemo brain was hard to get over. I tried to write but I could never get my words come out right, so I would get frustrated and shelf the project. I did this for many years. Rinse and repeat.

•Oye… Breast cancer. I’m sorry. Even after working with oncology patients for a while, I still never know what the right words are to express sympathy and hope- and for survivors, joy. So… I am glad you are a survivor of a thing I wish you never had to experience in the first place. No doubt, full recovery will take a long time. Still – look! You wrote a book!That is incredible!

It’s all about silver linings. Really hard things happen to people, but they make it through them. For me, it was my faith in God, and that he was a really, really big God, that helped me. I used to be very negative and complainy BC (before cancer), and after making it through to the other side, lo and behold I found out I was an optimist all along. Really, my story is echoed in Deena’s as I learned to just accept my circumstances and find peace in how it’s turned out. In my opinion, it was better than wallowing in the regrets. 

•I think the theme of acceptance is one readers of all ages will find valuable in Parasomnia. Personally, acceptance in the middle of struggle is a hard pill to swallow, and yet, once I get there, you are right – that peace. It’s such a release! 

Share a moment of inspiration that affected something you have written, even if it’s not in your book.

There is a song by Roísín Murphy called “Ruby Blue”. One day I was listening to it and could envision the first scene where Deena is walking down the sidewalk and breaks her shoe.

•That’s cool. I shouldn’t be surprised: it is amazing how music and song can trigger the imagination.

As indie writers, we rely on many tools (books, apps, programs, etc) to write and prepare to publish. What is the most useful tool you use when writing or preparing to launch your book? Why is it so valuable to you?

Honestly, I used my music as my tool. Music affects your moods and thoughts. So, iTunes.

•I’m learning that many authors have a deep connection to music and art for inspiration and motivation. Soooo… You mentioned iTunes. And was that a playlist for Parasomnia that you shared on Facebook a while back?

In the back of Parasomnia, I created a music playlist of different songs I listened to while I was writing, to help me have the “write” mood and mindset for Deena. I’ll share the list here, because I love music and most of these are my favorites:

•Impressive playlist! A bunch of artists and songs I am unfamiliar with. Looks like I will be scrolling through my music app a while. Oh darn. ::wink::

•Have you ever stumbled on advice or a tip that you found to be useful in your writing journey?

My 12th grade pottery teacher, Mr. Matz, would say “Art is appreciating people’s mistakes” and that has been such an encouragement. I love that because all art is open for interpretation. It’s subjective. It means it doesn’t have to be perfect. And that gives me the liberty to make mistakes. I actually think we, as people, don’t like perfection because we can’t relate to it. Anyways, I hope one day to find Mr. Matz to tell him how often I think of what he said.

•Wow. That is so true! What is one thing you wish to express to readers who might enjoy your book?

Life is messy and complicated and there is no way to control every outcome, so don’t be afraid to make mistakes. 

•Yes! Thank you for the reminder. If you could give a shout-out to any fellow writers, now’s your chance. Give us their name, and a book by them that you read and enjoyed.

Let’s go old school and say Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card.

•Ender’s Game! Good choice! I am still working my way through the Ender’s Game series, but of the ones I’ve read, they are all superb.

I can also recommend Ender’s Shadow, which is Ender’s Game through the character Bean’s perspective. I love it just as much. 

•You enjoy sci-fi! That explains the sci-fi lean to Parasomnia. 

When I was younger I went on a huge sci-fi bent and read through everything that Orson Scott Card wrote. There were several authors I did that with as well, but his anthology is my favorite. 

•Knowing you like Ender’s Game, what other science fiction books, movies, or series do you recommend? Why?

I love this question! I have the spiritual gift of recommendation, as I say, and I love to recommend things to folks. There’s so many great things out there. I loved ‘Silo’ which is a series based on books, although I haven’t had the chance to read them yet. I really enjoyed it because you have no idea what’s happening in this dystopian world that it’s set in and the final few minutes of the season end were mind blowing. A book that comes to mind is Boy’s Life by Robert R. McCammon, it’s one of my favorites. Like Ender’s Game, it centers around the life of a young boy. It’s filled with fantasy, other worldly elements, some horror, history and mystery. 

•I saw a preview for “Silo” but was not aware it was based on books. I’ve been wanting to start watching it, because I kinda love apocalyptic/dystopian tales. 

Now – to dig in a bit more.

As a recently self-published writer, what is something you learned about the indie process that you wish you knew before, or that proved to be helpful to the rest of the process?

When I first started writing 12 years ago, I was still under the impression that writing and publishing a book meant going through a publisher, which could take years of rejection letters before I found some success. But during the past decade, myriads of authors began to utilize self–publishing as a means of getting their books out there and several of them became quite successful. So, I think what helped me, personally, is the knowledge that I could have the power to complete a project without the backing of a publishing house. There are some ways going the traditional route can help with, for sure, and maybe that’s still in my future. But for now, I can click ‘Publish’ and just see where it goes. And this is a bit random, but as I help my husband with his self-published books, we’ve learned the power of reading the manuscript out loud to catch errors. 

•Oh yes! Self-publishing gives us so much more freedom, in my opinion, and erases some of the cut-throat mentality I think is inherent in the traditional publishing world, which would mean my writing would have never left my computer. And you are so right about reading the projects out loud. I laugh a lot at myself when I read my work out loud. So, so many problems with flow, grammar, and pacing can be caught with that simple trick. 

Are you part of any writing groups?

No, but years ago in my blogging days I wrote occasionally with my other writing friend, Marisa. She has been my cheerleader all these long years. We would plan a time to online chat and then log on, check in with each other and then set a timer for an hour and then check back in with what we’d accomplished. Having that accountability was so helpful.

•That’s a wonderful partnership! 

Beyond writing Parasomnia, has there been an aspect to the publishing process that you enjoyed? Or sincerely could have done without?

The marketing part is the hardest. Historically, I am the weakest at this aspect. I feel like I’m carrying around a megaphone shouting “I wrote a book!” Everyone who hears turns around and says “Good for you” and then carries on with their day. But my favorite part is hearing from readers, especially readers who don’t spend a lot of time reading, tell me what they liked about my book. I think it surprises them that they enjoyed something like a YA book, and that’s pretty awesome. 

•Okay – I chuckled. That is exactly how marketing feels. But you are right – those reader impressions and responses, especially from someone who has never read the genre, or is not really fond of reading, is so precious!

Beyond writing and publishing, what do you do for your occupation?

Currently, I’m just a homemaker. I will probably return to the workforce again, but both my husband and I spent long years in toxic jobs so we decided to up and move to a new state and give ourselves the chance to pursue our dreams, which is writing. We won’t have this opportunity forever, but it’s been amazing to have this chance to take a break and write.

•Being a homemaker is a full-time job! LOL Still – starting fresh to leave behind toxicity? Good for you both! That takes a lot of willpower and courage to really make the time and space to follow a dream. 

Tell us a bit about yourself: a mini-bio

I was raised in Anchorage, Alaska. I married an Alabama farm boy and we had two beautiful daughters who are now grown. We live in Florida now, which means I spend a lot of time feeling hot. Because it’s dang hot in Florida. I love watching movies, listening to music and reading. I can read the same book over and over. I know all the words to “Copacabana” by Barry Manilow, which doesn’t help me in life, but, you know, skillz.

•Again – chuckling. Which leads me to this next one… Just because I don’t remember now: Team Edward or Team Jacob? (((I’ll have you know, the only reason I picked up Twilight in the first place was because of you. 😉)))

Hahahahah this makes me laugh! In the beginning, I was Team Edward. Mostly because Edward was so swoony. Now, after all these years if I had to choose, I’m Team Jacob. Because in retrospect Edward is so cringy. Hahahahah still laughing.

•Hehe, thank you for appeasing my “need to know.” For the record, I never was able to fully decide for myself, until I recently read Midnight Sun. The intensity of Edward’s internal conflict won me over. 😉

What sort of hobbies do you have?

I read a lot. Fantasy, mystery, YA. Currently rereading the Harry Potter series. I watch movies galore- at home or at the theater. I craft- knitting, sewing, working with resin- there aren’t many crafts I haven’t tried which means I’ve become one of those “jack of all trades, master of none” folks, but I prefer it that way. In fact, if you need a crafting item, there’s a strong chance I have it.

Geez – sounds like we are similar in a lot of way. More than I realized. My craft space is a hodge-podge of sewing, needlepoint, crochet, beading, painting, and my newest obsession? DiamondDotz! 

Kearsie, thank you so much for allowing me to share more about you and your debut novel here on my blog! I am truly excited for you. I know you have a unique voice, and a talent for connecting with people. There is no doubt in my mind that readers will come to admire you, and your writing, as much as I do!

Dear Reader,

Thank you for joining us here today. I highly encourage you to check out Parasomnia! And please, once you finished reading the book, leave Kearsie a review! Then, of course, give her a shout out on Facebook or Instagram, where she is, and I quote, “like the Cher of social media.”

And come join us soon as I talk to my good friend and one of my first writing mentors, E.L. Haines, author of Stranger Back Home.