Welcome author, Michael Murphy...



Michael and I share the same agent so when he asked for a spot on my blog, I was more than happy to oblige. I love the concept of Michael's new novel and as it has a relationship running through it, I'm sure you will too. Okay, over to you, Michael. Can't wait to hear more about "Goodbye Emily"!

Brief bio

Michael Murphy is a full-time writer and part-time urban chicken rancher in Arizona. Goodbye Emily is his eighth novel.

Blog post

I recently had lunch with a friend who asked about my latest novel, Goodbye Emily. When I told him the three main characters are in their early sixties, he flashed a questioning look and smiled. “Really?”

I suspect he had an image in his mind far different from my novel. Goodbye Emily is a love story about two people who met at Woodstock. Through flashbacks readers experience the first meeting of Sparky and Emily in ’69 and throughout the novel get to relive the music and magic that was Woodstock.

But most of all Goodbye Emily follows three old high school buddies who relive their trip to Woodstock. One last roadtrip. One last chance to say Goodbye Emily.  

My novel is part of a new and fast growing genre, baby boomer. Like YA with stories about coming of age, BB novels are about coming of old age.

I have to admit writing about a hero in his sixties was a change for me. With seven mostly mystery and suspense novels, my protagonists ranged in age from mid-thirties to mid-forties. My novel, Class of ’68 was about a 17 year old senior in high school.

Baby boomers buy more novels, more audio and ebooks than any other demographic group. But my decision to write about this age group wasn’t economic. I wanted to realistically portray baby boomers, my age group. We’re facing growing older, but not growing old.

Boomers are increasingly health conscious and look for new ways of exercise. Like the characters in my novel, we’re vigorous, active and optimistic about our futures. We still get that twinkle in our eye for that special someone. We enjoy nostalgia, and there’s plenty of that in Goodbye Emily, but we also look forward, not just back.  Here’s a brief excerpt:

Buck leaned forward. His eyes bored into mine.
“Listen, Sparky. This is it, man. This really will be the last roadtrip for the three amigos. You know that, don’t you? I won’t miss the adventure with you guys, no matter what the risk.”
“You sure?”
“Definitely sure.”
Bringing Josh back to Woodstock was the right thing to do for him. The trip would benefit Buck and was right for me as well. For my well-being, for my heart health.
From an early age, I planned out my life and accomplished what I wanted, but there was emptiness in my heart where satisfaction should reside. Maybe I needed a dose of spontaneity, even uncertainty. Except the time I left Woodstock to find Emily, this might be the first time I took a real chance in life.

Links


My website, www.mjmurphy.com
Goodbye Emily website www.goodbyeemily.com
Woodstock blog http://blog.mjmurphy.com

 Michael would love to hear from you...maybe you have memories of the fantastic time which inspired "Goodbye Emily"??

Comments??




5 comments

  1. Wow, Michael, your book sounds amazing. Definitely adding this one to by every-growing TBR pile. I love the whole premise. Congrats on the release and great response so far!

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  2. This is too cool, Michael. Not only have I never heard of Baby Boomer writers, I'm excited such writers exist! I'm one of "those" of that generation, and would love to read books with main characters who are my age. BOOYAH!
    Patti

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  3. Michael, loved the post. I've got to get some time to read because I can't wait to read this book! Best of luck!

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  4. Sounds wonderful. I wasn't at Woodstock, but I was there in the 60s. It's not my favorite time, but it's sure the home of some of my favorite memories! Good luck with the book.

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  5. Thanks for having me, Rachel. Lots of writer are baby boomers like myself, but I wanted to write a novel with boomers who were funny, romantic, sexy and optimistic. Thanks, Rachel for having me.

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