Interviewed by Sue Leonard.
Published on 5th January 2013
Beginner’s Pluck Colin C Murphy.
Although keen on writing at school, Colin studied physics and became an engineer. But after five years, disillusioned, he got into advertising as a copywriter.
“I ended up in Owens DDB, where I worked for 20 years, spending ten as creative director.”
Since then Colin has written several nonfiction books including, ‘The Most Famous Irish People You’ve Never Heard Of.’
Who is Colin Murphy?
Date of birth: 29th July 1959.
Education: Christian Brothers in Crumlin. Kevin Street DIT; Physics.
Home: Terenure, Dublin.
Family: Wife Gráinne, a nurse, and a son and a daughter.
The Day Job: Fulltime writer.
Interests: Hill walking. “I’m a committee member of a website called Mountain Views. My challenge is to climb every mountain in Ireland over 500 metres. There are 404 and I’m at 299. I also love swimming.”
Favourite Writers: George Eliot is my favourite. And Sebastian Barry is my favourite Irish writer. I like Joseph O’Connor too.
Second Novel: It’s historical but not Irish, and is in the planning stages. My next book, The Priest Hunters, is a nonfiction historical book.
Top Writing Tip: Don’t be too critical as you write. Get it all out of your head onto paper, then worry about editing.
Web: www.boycottnovel.tripod.com Twitter: None.
The Debut: Boycott. Brandon: €11.99. Kindle: Not available.
Captain Charles Boycott was an English land agent in Mayo during the land war, who was ostracised by the people; hence the term, Boycotting. Murphy tells the story through two brothers, one who favours violence, the other peaceful action. He also charts their life during the famine.
“I was hill walking on Achill Island, and I came across the ruin of a house. There was a plaque saying Boycott had lived there. I started looking into the story. It was recorded all round the world at the time. People loved the thought of an Englishman and his wife, in their finery, being forced to labour in their fields.”
The Verdict: Beautifully written. A skilful blend of fact and fiction.
© Sue Leonard. 2013
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