Interviewed by J.B. Scott

JB

Hi Dan Murr! Thank you for joining us at the newly created "E-Literate" interview room. It is a privilege and pleasure to have you as our guest.

You have two very different novels available now with Clocktower Books, "We Never Said Goodbye (And Other Stories)" an anthology of short stories; and "A Need to Know," a military suspense.

Take some time now to share with us what inspired you to become a factual fiction writer?

DM

Thank you for inviting me. 

I always liked to write, and I read a lot. It seemed to be something special to me although to this day, I’ve never known exactly why.

JB

You are not a stranger to writing…from 1952 to 1992 you were a sports writer/editor with various newspapers across the country.

• What constitutes a day in the life of a sports writer?

• What were some of your more memorable moments?

• Tell us about your most favored athlete and why?

• Do you have a mentor as a sports writer? If so, who?

• Are there any differences between the sports editor of today and the sports editor of yesterday?

• If you could do over a previous interview, which one would it be and why?

DM

First, a day in the life of a sports writer depends on the size of the newspaper, and I’ve worked from a small weekly, daily, and to a metropolitan morning daily. The small daily requires you to do everything – layout the section, edit copy, write copy and headlines, select and size photos.

These are usually afternoon papers. Their day starts about 6 a.m. – clearing wire reports; sorting out local sports that people turn in and creating stories from those reports – like bowling, local softball leagues, kids baseball leagues, golf leagues, etc. The latter things are important because the emphasis is on local sports. For a new sportswriter, it’s a valuable piece of experience. It’s where you really begin to learn to be a journalist/writer, not to mention meeting deadlines.

When you get to work, you have about 3 hours to produce a quality sports section for that day. And if you look at the bulletin board and there are two big red stars up there, that means you have an early deadline, and it generally throws you into a mild panic. :o)) I hated those mornings because you were usually constructing the sports section by yourself. Then you also have to go out and cover events, and do interviews.

On metropolitan papers, special individuals usually did these tasks. Your job might be to devote your time to specific assignments, or a beat, like covering major college football, like Notre Dame, or the Big Ten schools, or one of the professional teams.

At every level in this business, with every word you write, you’re developing a writing style – if you desire to continue writing, that is – without even realizing it. This is, quite naturally, a highly important phase of your development.

My most memorable moments include college basketball’s Final Four in 1978 in St. Louis when Notre Dame was there; the 1983 and 1984 major league baseball playoffs with the Chicago White Sox and Chicago Cubs; the 1984 Rose Bowl game between Illinois and UCLA; the 1983 50^th anniversary Major League All-Star baseball game at Comiskey Park in Chicago; and the heavyweight championship fight between James (Quick) Tillis and champion Mike Weaver.

My most favorite athlete would be Roger Maris because he persevered in the face of great adversity – at a times when it seemed all of New York was against him breaking Babe Ruth’s single season home run record, and he did it anyway. 

In my humble opinion -- I believe the sports editor of today isn't really as talented and devoted as the sports editor of  yesterday. And some of today's editors aren't willing to put the time in necessary to produce high quality sections. Too many opinions are allowed in news stories rather than the facts of what happened on the field. I'll just stop here and say I don't think the sports editors of today are as tough as those of yesterday. 

My favorite sportswriter is the late Grantland Rice. A superb writer.

Heavyweight champ Joe Louis. I just didn’t do him justice in an interview.

JB

Now, let us spend some time on your two new titles with publishing company, Clocktower Books….

We Never Said Goodbye (and other Stories)

• What went through your mind when you saw this book in its final, published form?

• Where did the title "We Never Said Goodbye (and other stories)" come from?

• Did the title come before the writing, or after?

• What motivated you to write these short stories?

• Do you have one particular story out of the seven that is particularly close to your heart? If so, why?

DM

WE NEVER SAID GOODBYE is a very special book to me. It was ordered and received at the same time with A NEED TO KNOW, and holding both of them in my hands, to me, was a miracle. I couldn’t believe it.

WE NEVER SAID GOODBYE had taken so many years to finish, took me to so many places – I thought about the time devoted to it – from beginning to end was about 25 years. So it wasn’t an overnight experience. Looking at these books – I could hardly believe it. Still can’t.

WE NEVER SAID GOODBYE's title, I discovered after the fact, was very appropriate. It came after the lead story had been written – WE NEVER SAID GOODBYE. The main character never had a chance to say goodbye to his father, who had died quite suddenly. It also applied to THE FITZ IS DOWN, the ore boat that vanished so fast that no one had a chance to say or do anything. The title came after the writing of the first story.

In the case of WE NEVER SAID GOODBYE, I had actually started writing a letter to my son, to tell him about his grandfather. But my father’s sudden death triggered that one, when I had gone home to his funeral. But it took a while to write because in the case of non-fiction stories, sometimes there is a lot of pain reliving these experiences. Over the years – actually leaving the newspaper business at one point – I wrote each story. Of course, THE FITZ and WE NEVER are both non-fiction; the others are taken from actual incidents that happened over a period of time and are fiction based on fact. Of the seven stories, WE NEVER SAID GOODBYE is the closest to my heart because it’s about my father. He died on February 11, 1971, and there has been so many times I’ve wished I could talk to him again, ask his advice about things. Strangely, the date of his death is the same date that his grandfather died.

JB

• A Need To Know

• A Need To Know is a very realistic military suspense, which left me thinking many "what if" scenarios, long after I closed the book. I couldn't help but wonder exactly how much was entertainment and how much was fact. Share with us now:

• What inspired you to write this story?

• Where did the concept for the plot come from?

• Were the warm and real-to-life characters, Madge and Dean White actual people in your life or pure imagination?

• Although there is a major theme of military and politics in "A Need To Know" you also captured human emotions and a touch of romance which is often unique to this genre…was that deliberate, or how the story was in your mind?

• You managed to allow three separate situations to interweave within the story; did you find that difficult?

DM

A NEED TO KNOW came out of an incident that happened in Pensacola, Florida at the start of the Korean War. The time frame was simply shifted to make it a little more modern with nuclear subs and stealth aircraft.

Dean White and Madge Scott were strictly my imagination. So were Admiral Stanford and Cheryl Arnold. But Manfred Voss was patterned after the owner of a German biking outfit I had met several years ago in Frankfurt. Petra Voss was a special creation because I’ve never met a Soviet woman before. LOL

The military and romance theme, I believe, go hand in hand. Some war stories have no women. This isn’t, technically, a war story. It’s espionage, and women are involved in some way. So this was very deliberate. In these stories, there usually seems to be love involved in the background. 

It was not difficult to interweave the three situations. I allowed them to freely develop on their own, and they seemed to fit right into the story line.

JB

• How long did each manuscript stay in your mind before you put it down to paper?
• Was it an easy road from thought to paper to publication?
• What lead you to Clocktower Books?

DM

• Both of these books were developed over years of compiling events. Especially WE NEVER SAID GOODBYE.  That actually began in 1976 when I lived in Phoenix, AZ for a year. The Harris Plot started out as a novel, but I couldn’t get things to fit and eventually decided to make it a short story. All the other stories were just naturally short stories based on actual incidents. Each one was written at different periods of my life. 

• I don’t think an easy road exists from thought to paper to publication. Your life’s blood is involved in these literary pursuits, not to mention sweat, blank spots and mental glitches – uhhhh…computer glitches also. :o)) Oh yes, and a lot of research to make certain people, events and places are very real.

• My first agent, Lida Quillen, who told me a little while after her wedding that she wouldn't be able to devote as much time necessary to help me and she was the one who sent me to Clocktower Books. That's where I got to know Ariana Overton, who was acquisitions editor then, and I wound up sending her my military adventure, A NEED TO KNOW. Then came the contract. After we finished the first book, my editor took a look at the book of short stories, WE NEVER SAID GOODBYE (and other stories), and Clocktower also took that one. They both wound up in the POD segment.  So I feel very fortunate, in a way, to have lost Lida because she wound up sending me to the right place. :o))...

JB

Now, let's look towards the future:

• What currently is in your author "in-tray"?

• Are there any more titles on the way for Dan Murr?

• How do you prioritize all that you have to achieve each day?

• Have you set any particular literary goals? If so, what are they?

DM

My in-tray?  My pet projects right now are two inspirational books and a second military adventure, and in the back of my mind are two more projects that I simply won’t discuss at the moment, not until I get a better view of their possibilities.

Titles – the next military adventure is THE MILK WAGON; the inspirational books are non-fiction – ESCAPE FROM EXILE and RETURN TO MEDJUGORJE. They are about four pilgrimages to Medjugorje in Bosnia-Herzegovina from 1997 to 2000,. And all four have to do with my personal life.

I’m probably not as well-organized as most writers – or as much as I should be. I try to write something each day and like to stop at a place that’s comfortable, and that I know where I’m going the next day. It doesn’t always work out that way because of other things that might unexpectedly come up that need addressing. That can throw you off schedule. 

My literary goals are to be published, not to stop with these two books. I want to continue on with these next three books go on as long as I can, as long as God allows me. Any other happenings in my literary life would be a great gift.

JB

If a new reader to your work purchased your book and decided to write a review? What comment from them would be a true pleasure to receive? 

Would that comment apply to both, "We Never Said Goodbye" and "A Need to Know"?

DM

That this author takes you to places you’ve never been before, and you feel all the emotions that transpire throughout his books, that you can visualize every place and event that takes place. That would make me feel that I’ve accomplished something for the readers.

Oh yes – that would apply to both books.

JB

Okay, Dan Murr, do you have a favorite author?

What genre populates your bookshelf at home?

DM

Ernest Hemingway. He was great in his day, and won a Nobel prize for Literature with The Old Man and the Sea at a time when everyone thought he was finished. 

On my bookshelves are lots of genres – military history, inspirational, sports – and I love them all.

JB

What do you believe is the most important piece of advice you could offer to a new, yet to be published author? Especially for those that have tried, and tried unsuccessfully, to get past the publisher's front door.

How about a snippet of advice for someone who has just received his or her first contract with a publishing company? What advice would you offer regarding going through the publish process?

Do you have any thoughts on self-promotion? "We Never Said Goodbye" and "A Need to Know" have just been released in paperback. How are you going to market and promote them yourself? 

On the other hand, do you believe hiring an agent/publicist is the preferred route? If so, why?

DM

One piece of advice for those still trying but failing to open the publisher’s door – persevere. If you want to write, don’t ever quit. You must really want it badly. Like the late John Gardner said, if you want to be a writer, you have to ”want to change the world.”

And if you’ve just had your first book published – don’t get on your high horse because there’s a good chance you’re going to get knocked on your butt again and bring you back to reality. In going through the publishing process, listen to your editor. That person is trying to help you, not hurt you, and chances are pretty darned good that when you’re finished, you’ll have a much better book.

I hate self-promotion. It must be a necessary evil so I reluctantly agree to do it. I’m trying to use word of mouth, and newspapers to make my books visual, in addition to my website http://www.danlmurr.4mg.com/. Also flyers and books signings.

I think an agent is a requirement. Some publishers will not deal with the author, only the agent. Plus the agent can be doing things for you that you don’t think of, and to also be allowing you to devote more time to writing.

JB  

What has been your experiences with book signings. Is there much preparation required in arranging for an event?

DM

Probably the most important part is to know what the bookstore expects of you, like being friendly and receptive to those who approach you, and to be ready to discuss your book(s). Also, be certain you have extra books just in case you run out. And don't forget your pen. :o))

JB  

Do you believe it is an important component of your book promotion campaign?

Do you believe your local bookstores support new authors published outside of the large publishing houses?  

DM

Whether you sell any books or not the exposure is excellent as well as the personal contacts you make.

 

Some of them do, but some of them also can be very rude.

JB  

Many authors have experienced the feeling of being the only one  in attendance at their book signing? Have you shared that experience? 

If so, what did you do to overcome it. If not, what did you do prior to the event  to ensure that didn't occur.

DM

Not yet. I've only had two book signings so far and both of them have involved a number of authors, so there were always people/customers around.

The bookstore provided publicity ahead of time, and there were signs placed all around the store the day of the signing.

JB  

During one of your book signing events, did you find your new readers were interested in getting to know their local new author talent?

Was your table in the bookstore setup in such a way to attract new readers?

 If so, share with us now your secrets in a good signing display and how did you come to that design inspiration? 

DM

Somewhat. Some readers were talkative, some might have asked a question or two and moved on very quickly.

That's a difficult question since I didn't have anything to do with the display. The bookstore handled all of that although I did provide a poster that was not used.

At the first signing, which was an outdoor affair, I was able to use my own poster on an easel with both my bookcovers. The covers were very professionally done and were actually attracting people, who engaged in conversation about the books and asked questions.

JB  

In your experience at these book signing events, do you
believe the drawing card to your books for a new reader is based on the short synopsis on the back of your book or the cover art?

What emotions are you left with after a booksigning event?

Share with us now the highest highlight of one of your booksigning events

DM

I think they were both helpful because a lot of readers looked at the synopsis on the back cover, and also read part of the review printed back there.

The first signing, it was so hot and humid, I was kind of glad it ended abruptly. We had been there almost three hours when the storm hit. I had sold only one book, and despite only one sale, I felt very good about it.

That came at the first book signing at St. Mary's, Ga. The first book that was purchased excited me so much, I forgot to autograph it, and the lady who bought it never asked me to. :o)). I corrected that at the next one. :o))

JB  

What do you believe is the greatest pitfall today for authors being published on the WWW?

DM

This WWW stuff is all new to me. I could not honestly determine what pitfalls are out there, and I’m not certain even the people involved in high places know yet.

JB

Do you believe the future is with electronic format? Or, is the old-worlde paperback still going to be on one's bookshelf for the next millennium?

DM

Authors and publishers have said the electronic format is the coming thing, and it could very well be. It’s already here.

But – I’ve also heard this – “Hey, I want to hold that book in my hand, take it with me on the plane, to the beach and read it.” It’s easier carrying a paperback book than it is a laptop computer around the country even if they do carry them around for other purposes. That paperback’s going to be around for a while.

JB

Now, this is where you let your hair down, and offer anything further…yes a free plug is more than okay…

Dan, I would like to take this opportunity of thanking you for agreeing to do this interview and I wish you well for all your future endeavours.

Regards

JB Scott

DM

Whether or not this is proper author etiquette, I don’t know, but my blood, sweat, tears, heart and soul are in these two books, and will be in all the books I write – and I like them. They’re my creations, my babies…and I hope I have a lot of babies. :o))

Thank you JB for having me here. It has been my pleasure, and I thank you for your kind wishes.