Interview with Philip J Martin, author of Ephphatha

Today I welcome to my blog Philip J Martin, author of Ephphatha: Catholic Fiction for Modern Times, recently published by Full Quiver Publishing.

Tell us a bit about yourself.

I was born and raised in Alabama, and have lived nearly my entire life in this beautiful state. My wife and I have been married for more than 14 years and are raising our 5 children as best we can with God’s help! 

What was the inspiration for this book of short stories?

I’ve always been fascinated by truth: by learning the truth, by teaching the truth, by spreading the truth. When I discovered slowly over time that you could mingle the truth in with the beauty of stories, I was sold. Something clicked in me: this is something you can do!

What drew you to writing Ephphatha?

I hear authors all the time speak about “the muse” as if she is some kind of inspirational spirit that floats in and out. Others vaguely speak about how “the universe” wants a person to do this or that. What drew me to write this collection over time is the same thing that drives me to repent, to love, and to live a holy life each and every day: the Holy Spirit.

What do you hope the reader will take away from your book?

I hope that each and every reader will come away from the book with an increased desire to live in and under the Providence and Mercy of God each and every day, loving the people He has put in our paths. I hope the reader will learn to check the misconceptions and (for lack of a better word) the lies of our culture that infiltrate our consciences so that they have no room to germinate, grow, and bear bad fruit.

How do you find time to write?

I have been fortunate to have an extremely supportive wife, but like anything, a little bit here and a little bit there adds up over time.

Are you working on any other writing projects?

I just finished writing a 40-day retreat journal unlike anything out there for a nonprofit media company called 10th Hour Productions. It is called “The Other Journal” and is designed to reorient us to loving the other person over ourselves.

I’ve also begun the research and writing process into a nonfiction book that has been on my heart for a long time. Ask me in 10 years how the progress is going!

Who are some of your favorite authors?

There are so many great authors out there. My favorites are Flannery O’Connor, Benedict XVI, GK Chesterton, CS Lewis, Harper Lee, and Graham Greene.

Find out more about Ephphatha at the FQP site or on Amazon at this link.