Hello and welcome to my blog, Author Interviews. My name is Fiona Mcvie.

 

Let’s get you introduced to everyone, shall we? Tell us your name. What is your age?

My name is Isabella Murphy and I turn thirteen this month.

Fiona: Where are you from?

I am from the San Francisco Bay area.

Fiona: A little about your self (ie,  your education, family life, etc.).

I am about to end 7th grade and my favorite subjects are math and english. I have three siblings and I am the youngest out of all of them, so my dad calls me the baby of the family. I have two dogs, a Yorkie and pitbull named Shashi and Aries.

Fiona: Tell us your latest news.

I am working on a collection of poems and I have been starting to write another book, except this one will be more for and about my age group.

Fiona: When and why did you begin writing?

I first started to write when I was in fourth grade and my class was writing creative stories. I decided to write a mystery about a girl who discovers she has super powers and holds others lives in danger. I really started to enjoy writing after that experience because I loved to be creative and let my imagination run free.

Fiona: When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I first considered myself as a writer when I was eleven years old and I became very passionate about writing. I would write all the time during school, at home, and even in the car.

Fiona: What inspired you to write your first book?

My first book grew out of an assignment from my 5th grade teacher. It was around Halloween and my class and I were to write a short story about the life of a pumpkin. Halloween is a special holiday for my family and we have many traditions. The main character has some of my emotions and feelings that I had during elementary school, except he is a pumpkin. I wanted people to relate to the character and I wanted the story to be more of a heartfelt, serious but at the same time be really warm and enjoyable for the readers. My family always loves Halloween and our traditions and I wanted to share that with others and also show my family how much they mean to me.

Fiona: How did you come up with the title?

I brainstormed with my mom and a friend and one of the titles we came up with was From Dark to Light. I didn’t like any of the titles we came up with. And then my mom said, I really like this one, From Dark to Light and eventually I came to like it and thought it was right for the book.

Fiona: Do you have a specific writing style? Is there anything about your style or genre that you find particularly challenging?

I always write in the first person. It has never been a problem for me, it’s just something I’ve always done since the beginning. It just doesn’t sound right if I talk in 3rd person.

Fiona: How much of the book is realistic and are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?

The book is pretty realistic except that it’s about a pumpkin. I think that pumpkins could have feelings but in the book they are human feelings. My science teacher told me that scientists have found that trees have feelings and when you talk to plants they grow better.

Fiona: To craft your works, do you have to travel? Before or during the process?

Yes, traveling has inspired me, seeing different cultures, having different experiences, seeing different people and also observing how my family behaves on airplanes which is included in a story I’m working on now.

Fiona: Who designed the covers?

Natalia Perez is the designer of the cover and inside of my book From Dark to Light. She lives in Caracas, Venezuela and my mom and I found her through a friend. I felt that Natalia’s design really fit my book and brought the characters alive.

Fiona: Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

The message I wanted to bring to other people through this book is to learn to adapt to different environments and to be proud of who you are. The main character Pumpker started off as a seed and starts to feel left out and misunderstood, which are feelings I had as a kid and I thought others could relate to as well. He found a way to overcome those feelings and find love.

Fiona: Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?  Who is your favorite writer, and what is it about their work that really strikes you?

I don’t really have a favorite author. There are so many authors I like and sometimes my favorite author is the one whose book I’m reading at that moment. I have favorite genres more than favorite authors, like mystery, adventure, and romantic novels for teens.

Fiona: Outside of family members, name one entity that supported your commitment to become a published author.

Author Margo Perin has supported me and guided me in being a published author.

Fiona: Do you see writing as a career?

I have a lot of other interests and while I love writing and sharing my stories and poems, I also love acting and playing and singing music. I love music, and I also dance. I was just in the musical Hairspray at school and played the character, Velma Von Tussle.

Fiona: If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?

No, I’m happy with how it is.

Fiona: Did you learn anything during the writing of your recent book?

I learned a lot about writing in general because I had feedback on writing and on my book. I also feel more comfortable with public speaking because I’ve been speaking to public audiences for a while now and it’s improved my social skills. I’ve learned not to be shy the first time I meet people. I’m not very nervous about it anymore.

Fiona: If your book was made into a film, who would you like to play the lead?

The really big pumpkin at Trader Joe’s. Only joking. It would have to be a little boy, as Pumpker is a little boy pumpkin. I’d like to watch a bunch of animated movies and see if I can find the right voice that would work.

Fiona: Any advice for other writers?

My advice to aspiring young writers is to follow your passion, to not give up, and also have the confidence and courage to believe in your own work. Let your imagination sprawl over the page and don’t be afraid to be observant of everything around you, even when you’re doing things with your parents. Take your time and write whenever you get inspired.

Fiona: Anything specific you want to tell your readers?

I hope you relate to the book and find it enjoyable, and that it inspires you to write your own story.

Fiona: What book are you reading now?

I just finished reading the book It’s Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini. This book is about a teen going through severe depression and it really opened up my eyes to the world around me. I learned so much and I recommend this book to others my age and older.

Fiona: Do you remember the first book you read?

It was Pinkalicious or No, David, No.

Fiona: What makes you laugh/cry?

My friends make me laugh and I cry when someone says something hurtful or sometimes I just cry for no reason.

Fiona: Is there one person, past or present, you would love to meet? Why?

I would love to meet Taylor Swift because I just think that she’s a great artist and has accomplished so much and a lot of people look up to her. She inspired me to start playing guitar.

Fiona: Do you have any hobbies?

I play golf, swim, play guitar, sing, dance, and do art.

Fiona: What TV shows/films do you enjoy watching?

I love Netflix, like Pretty Little Liars and Vampire Diaries and the movie Mamma Mia.

Fiona: Favorite foods, colors,  music?

I love margarita pizza, my favorite color is red, and my favorite type of music is 2000s to today pop.

Fiona: Imagine a future where you no longer write. What would you do?

I would probably just talk everything, stories, my feelings and about my experiences.

Fiona: You only have 24 hours to live how would you spend that time?

There are so many things I would want to do like go to Europe but it would take a day to get there, and I would want to see all my friends, except I wouldn’t know what friends, I would love to just travel somewhere.

Fiona: What do you want written on your head stone?

This is the kind of traveling I didn’t have in mind.

Fiona: Do you have a blog or website readers can visit for updates, events and special offers?

https://isabellamurphyauthor.com

Amazon authors Page  USA  https://www.amazon.com/Isabella-Murphy/e/B078KZ93D6?ref_=pe_1724030_132998060

UK  https://www.amazon.co.uk/Isabella-Murphy/e/B078KZ93D6/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1528032625&sr=1-2-ent

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