When did you start writing and what inspired you to start?
I knew I would someday write novels when I was about five, and though I’ve written poems for as long as I can remember, I didn’t make a serious stab at novels until somewhere around the age of forty (circa 2004). Something inside me kept telling me I wasn’t ready to write the kind of books I wanted to write, so I experimented with short stories and did an enormous amount of reading. Once I felt ready, I threw myself into it and haven’t looked back.
How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?
I have written three books, The Night Train, Norton Road, and Blinders. My favorite is the second one, Norton Road, because the characters were so much fun to create.
“Sell” your latest book in 120 characters – Tweet style
Sometimes, the line between right and wrong is clearly drawn, until you take off your blinders. BLINDERS, by Carl Purdon
The current trend in publishing is toward series novels as opposed to stand-alone books. Is your most recent release part of a series? If so, where do you see the story going (ie how many books in the series)? If not, do you have a series you’ve written or plan to write, and if so, what is it?
No, all of my books are stand-alone, though I am currently working on a sequel to my first book, The Night Train.
When your latest title is adapted to film, and the producers ask for your dream cast, what will you say?
I think The Rock would make an excellent Dale Criss. Kevin Costner would be perfect for Sheriff Trap Malone, and Tommy Lee Jones could be the chief deputy (Webster Carson). The character of Jill could be Pauley Perrette (Abby on NCIS).
Is there a message in your book that you want readers to grasp?
A while back I saw a Facebook post that said something to the effect of, ‘every person you meet is struggling with something you can’t see’. If there is a message in my books, I think that would be it. I try to create characters who are realistic and mufti-dimensional, and let my readers get to know them gradually, throughout the course of the story, the same way we come to know people in real life.
Do you have a new book coming out soon?
I am currently working on a sequel to The Night Train, which will focus on Farley Milo, the surly hobo who took Jayrod and Arnold under his wing and guided them in directions they didn’t always want to go. My goal is to release it in spring of 2015.
Who are some of the authors you particularly admire or who’ve had some influence on your own writing?
“Growing up in Mississippi, I remember as a boy thinking (and sometimes hearing) my options were limited because a person had to live in places like New York or California to be successful, so naturally William Faulkner was a great source of inspiration to me. Later, John Grisham boosted that notion that a boy from the south could make it in the big world. I grew up (and still live) about thirty miles from Oxford, so I hoped there might be something in the water.
As far as writing itself, James Fenimore Cooper and John Steinbeck were authors I admired. Recently I discovered Elmore Leonard (how did I miss him?) and found a lot of similarities in our styles of writing as well as our attitudes toward the business.
At my first book signing (an open-house-style event at my local library in Pontotoc), my wife had her hands full trying to calm my nerves. Poet Patricia Neely-Dorsey had a table near mine, and I was immediately struck by how at home she appeared in that environment. She gave me a few pointers that day on public appearances. Since then we have communicated frequently on Facebook and appeared together at another event. I have sought her advice several times, and admire both her poetry and her positive attitude.”
List your favorite quotation or words you live by.
“There are two, actually. First, ‘This, too, shall pass.”” I have often found strength in knowing that whatever difficult situation I find myself in, it will not be permanent. On the flip side, it helps me remember to appreciate the good times because they, too, will pass.
The second quote is by Abraham Lincoln, and goes something like, “”Those not skinning can hold a leg.”” I think he directed it towards his generals during the Civil War. To me, it means to simply do what you can, when you can.”
Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?
Thank you. I have received so much encouragement from my readers, and it never fails to brighten my day. It is a very humbling thing to have someone take the time to read your book, then send you a message, or write a review, or post something on Facebook to let you know they enjoyed it.
You can purchase ‘Blinders’ and Carl Purdon’s other books through our bookstore.
And connect with him on Goodreads