Today’s Q&A Thursday is with Author Carl Purdon!
Enjoy and Comment!
What is the worst
thing you’ve written, how did you learn or know it was bad, and what did you
learn from it?
thing you’ve written, how did you learn or know it was bad, and what did you
learn from it?
Purdon: My first
attempt at a novel was terrible. I knew it was bad when I put it aside, then
came back and read it later. I did all the wrong things – passive voice, rigid
adherence to the “rules” of grammar, poorly developed characters. I learned to
relax and write like I would tell the story in conversation.
attempt at a novel was terrible. I knew it was bad when I put it aside, then
came back and read it later. I did all the wrong things – passive voice, rigid
adherence to the “rules” of grammar, poorly developed characters. I learned to
relax and write like I would tell the story in conversation.
Why did you start
writing and when did you decide to go professional?
writing and when did you decide to go professional?
Purdon: I have a
vivid memory of standing in my front yard when I was about four or five years
old, wishing I knew how to write down the words in my head. That’s the first
time I remember wanting to be a writer. It took me a couple of decades to
overcome a bad childhood to the point that I felt confident enough to take a
professional stab at it.
vivid memory of standing in my front yard when I was about four or five years
old, wishing I knew how to write down the words in my head. That’s the first
time I remember wanting to be a writer. It took me a couple of decades to
overcome a bad childhood to the point that I felt confident enough to take a
professional stab at it.
Do you write in more
than one genre? Which ones and which do you like the best?
than one genre? Which ones and which do you like the best?
Purdon: My fiction,
whether reading or writing, has to be something possible in the real world. I
like to create a fictional mirror of real-life situations. I’m not sure which
genre that fits into, if any.
whether reading or writing, has to be something possible in the real world. I
like to create a fictional mirror of real-life situations. I’m not sure which
genre that fits into, if any.
Do you read other
author’s books when you’re writing? If so, do you read the same genre or
something different?
author’s books when you’re writing? If so, do you read the same genre or
something different?
Purdon: Yes, I always
have something on hand to read. I tend to read a lot of history and
biographies. When I read fiction, I lean toward the classics, but I do try to
read some of the other authors I interact with on Twitter and Facebook. I try
not to read anything too similar to what I’m currently writing because I don’t
want to subconsciously assume another author’s voice.
have something on hand to read. I tend to read a lot of history and
biographies. When I read fiction, I lean toward the classics, but I do try to
read some of the other authors I interact with on Twitter and Facebook. I try
not to read anything too similar to what I’m currently writing because I don’t
want to subconsciously assume another author’s voice.
What is the most
difficult part of the entire writing process for you? Queries, pitches,
editing..etc.
difficult part of the entire writing process for you? Queries, pitches,
editing..etc.
Purdon: The pitch.
I’m really bad at that, whether it be in answer to the “what’s your book about”
question or the blurb on the back cover. I think it’s because I get so
emotionally attached to what I’m writing … and I have walls around my
emotions that reach to the moon.
I’m really bad at that, whether it be in answer to the “what’s your book about”
question or the blurb on the back cover. I think it’s because I get so
emotionally attached to what I’m writing … and I have walls around my
emotions that reach to the moon.
If you could have the
same type of career as any author currently publishing who would it be and why?
same type of career as any author currently publishing who would it be and why?
Purdon: I would like
to have the financial success of John Grisham, the stamina of Stephen King, and
the longevity of Shakespeare. Other than that, I wouldn’t change a thing.
to have the financial success of John Grisham, the stamina of Stephen King, and
the longevity of Shakespeare. Other than that, I wouldn’t change a thing.
Author Bio: Carl Purdon lives in Pontotoc, Mississippi
with his wife and two of their four children. Pontotoc is halfway between Tupelo, which is the birthplace of Elvis, and Oxford, which was the
home of William Faulkner. Since he can’t sing, he writes. Since he’s not an
expert on anything in particular, he writes fiction. In February he released
his debut novel, The Night Train, and has been pinching himself ever since.
with his wife and two of their four children. Pontotoc is halfway between Tupelo, which is the birthplace of Elvis, and Oxford, which was the
home of William Faulkner. Since he can’t sing, he writes. Since he’s not an
expert on anything in particular, he writes fiction. In February he released
his debut novel, The Night Train, and has been pinching himself ever since.
Book blurb
Abused at home and bullied at school, young Jayrod Nash
steals away on a freight train with a vow never to return. His best friend tags
along, but his heart’s not in it. They meet up with a hobo named Farley, who
offers protection in exchange for obedience, and soon learn he’s running too.
steals away on a freight train with a vow never to return. His best friend tags
along, but his heart’s not in it. They meet up with a hobo named Farley, who
offers protection in exchange for obedience, and soon learn he’s running too.
“The Night Train” is a novel about the struggle of innocence
against brutality, written with powerful characters who allow no commentary
from the author. Together they paint a picture of life as it exists too often.
against brutality, written with powerful characters who allow no commentary
from the author. Together they paint a picture of life as it exists too often.
Carl Purdon weaves a tale that takes the reader through the
full gamut of emotions, and leaves them feeling as if they have known the Nash
family all their lives. Perhaps they have.
full gamut of emotions, and leaves them feeling as if they have known the Nash
family all their lives. Perhaps they have.
Social media &
Web links
Web links
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/carl.purdon
Facebook Book Page: http://www.facebook.com/TheNightTrain2012
Twitter: @CarlPurdon
Thanks for participating Carl!! Great to have you here.
~Jenn
Thanks Jenn, for your interest in my writing. I think it's a great thing you do spotlighting other writers on your blog. Writers are a very supportive group.