ASHTON PARK - Murray Pura - One Free Book

Welcome, Murray. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.

I don’t suppose it’s always conscious but I’m sure a lot of me gets in there, especially into the hero and what I think is the right thing to do or say. I think I always put into my leading characters, male or female, the qualities I most admire and which I want to exhibit more of myself.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

Dressing up as a Puritan – hat, shirt, pants, shoes – and daring to present a major paper on the Puritans at a college seminar in that outfit. I used an English accent as well. Both of the profs were Oxford men with a good sense of humor and I got away with an A, thanks be to God.

When did you first discover that you were a writer?

I was writing stories on 3x5 index cards when I was eight or nine and the passion never left me.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.

One bookshelf has US, British, and Canadian history as well as the history of many other nations or eras or events. Another has literature from around the world – Ireland, England, France, Spain, Israel, Vietnam, America, Canada, etc. Another has the literature of ancient Greece and Rome. Another has historical fiction and sea fiction and westerns. Another has books on Christian life and prayer and theology. Another has books that aid in the study of the Bible, books on Greek and Hebrew and Aramaic, as well as commentaries. And so on. Pretty eclectic.

How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?

Each day has to have its balance of fresh air, slow walks, prayer, meditation, making-your-heart-beat-fast exercise, work (in my case writing), interaction with others, enjoyment of books, movies, TV, computer, and decent food and sleep. You have to be disciplined to try and get as much of that balance as you can but it pays off.

How do you choose your characters’ names?

Many times I use the names of friends or acquaintances, though never giving them their actual surnames. In the case of the Amish I look up different Biblical names. When it comes to other cultures or eras I search out names authentic to the culture and time period.

If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?

An Alaskan Malamute has the beauty of the North and the wolf but the friendliness of a good dog. I’d like that mix of the wild and the free and the devotedness to humans.

What is your favorite food?

I like 1% cottage cheese a lot – tastes good, fills you up, lots of protein, low calories. I also like sweet potatoes a lot, also very tasty and nutritious.

What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?

Getting noticed by larger publishers who reached a larger market of readers. An agent made the difference with that but, of course, getting an agent didn’t do it all. Once he opened opportunities for me I still had to produce good books and stories that editors and readers would think highly of.

Tell us about the featured book.

Ashton Park takes place between 1916 and 1923. It centers around a wealthy Church of England family on their estate in Lancashire. All their sons are in uniform when the book opens while one daughter is nursing wounded soldiers in France and another is marching in the streets for an end to the war and to win voting rights for women. The Danforths, a Christian family, do their best to deal with the ups and downs of life on their estate and the calamity of world war and revolution in Ireland by means of prayer, faith, courage, and their devotedness to one another.

Please give us the first page of the book.

April 1916

“Go girl, go!”

Victoria Danforth leaned into her horse’s neck as it broke out of the forest and drove toward the sea cliff at full gallop.

“Come on, Robin! The man is gaining!”

A green ribbon flew from Victoria’s head and her long auburn hair burst loose. She struck the sorrel’s flanks with the heels of her black leather boots.

Give me more, my girl, just a bit more!”

The shining sea drew closer and closer. A wind that carried the bite of salt water stung Victoria’s nostrils. Face flushed by the wild ride, eyes glittering like a cat’s, she cried out a final time.

“All you’ve got, my beauty!”

And then she hauled back on the reins, turned the mare’s head to the left, sprang from the saddle, and hit the ground boots-first with a shout. The horse dug in all its hooves and tossed up mud and stone and grass. The cliff edge was only a few yards away when she stopped.

“Good, girl, that was lovely, that was grand!” Victoria stroked the animal’s neck and mane. Both horse and rider were panting. “What a gorgeous view! I’ll never tire of it.”

The brisk ocean breeze pushed back the auburn hair from Victoria’s

How can readers find you on the Internet?

 My website is www.murraypura.com  where readers will also find my blog Murmurings.

 My author page on FB is https://www.facebook.com/pages/Murray-Pura-Writing/125082457581805?ref=hl

Thank you, Murray, for the interesting interview.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.

Ashton Park (The Danforths of Lancashire) - paperback
Ashton Park (The Danforths of Lancashire) - Kindle


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