iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Cynthia Murphy @cynthiamurphyya.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

Thanks for having me Emma, always lovely! I'm not usually on here, but if anyone needs me you can find me on Insta or my website :) #ukteenchat

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Cynthia Murphy @cynthiamurphyya.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

10. Just keep drafting. I used to go back over the start to make it 'perfect' and realised it just slowed me down. Now if I want to make a change to something I've written, I make a note in the text and carry on writing as if I've already done it. Means less work later! #ukteenchat

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Cynthia Murphy @cynthiamurphyya.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

9. Just that I'm currently editing it and it's a little different (but not too much - there's still a mystery, a lot of gore and a bit of kissing) Feel like I'm going back to my roots with this one and can't wait for you to see the cover and meet the characters! #ukteenchat

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Cynthia Murphy @cynthiamurphyya.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

8. It's usually marination/draft/refine. The marination process is all my weird ideas making links , drafting usually takes a few months and I refine over 3-4 edits. My next book just appeared in my brain though, and I wrote it in less than 12 weeks, so editing is taking a little longer! #ukteenchat

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Cynthia Murphy @cynthiamurphyya.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

7. I think the ongoing debate on whether we should enjoy good art by bad people. I’m not sure I know the answer, but I'm always curious to know what people think. #ukteenchat

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Cynthia Murphy @cynthiamurphyya.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

6. Taste by Sabrina Carpenter, That’s So True by Gracie Abrams, Who’s Afraid of Little Old Me by Taylor Swift, Bad Idea Right? By Olivia Rodrigo, My Kink is Karma by Chappell Roan and Happier Than Ever by Billie Eilish. All for nefarious reasons! #ukteenchat

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Cynthia Murphy @cynthiamurphyya.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

5. Definitely! If you look close enough there's always some weird historical artefacts knocking around in my books, I can't help myself. For example, John Dee's scrying mirror makes an appearance in Win Lose Kill Die and Keep Your Friends Close #ukteenchat

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Cynthia Murphy @cynthiamurphyya.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

4. Yes, I have to! If not I'd just meander around for years rather than write anything remotely legible. Then can change slightly though! #ukteenchat

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Cynthia Murphy @cynthiamurphyya.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

3. Yes! I love research and found myself looking up lots of arty terms as well as doing some historical research, because the original portraits in the gallery where Fliss's dad works date from 1911 New York, so I got to delve into some NYC archives! #ukteenchat

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Cynthia Murphy @cynthiamurphyya.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

2. A few things. The Five by @hallierubenhold.bsky.social inspired the women in the portraits but the catalyst was when I found out that some Victorians ground up mummies and used them in a pigment called Mummy Brown. I thought those paintings must be haunted, and the idea was born! #ukteenchat

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Reposted by Cynthia Murphy

Emma Finlayson-Palmer @finlaysonpalmer.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

Welcome one and all to tonight's #ukteenchat, featuring the brilliant @cynthiamurphyya.bsky.social. Have your questions at the ready and give us a wave if you’re here 🙋‍♀️ Remember to use the # so your questions don't get missed 😀 #ukteenchat

Black and pink book cover with hands and faces pushing against framed canvases. The title is Paint Me Like Your Dead Girls by Cynthia Murphy. Murder is an Art. "A thriller author to watch! says Karen M. McManus.

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Cynthia Murphy @cynthiamurphyya.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

1. HI! Sorry for the delay...and yes, PMLYDG is all about Fliss, who finds a long-lost portrait. Trouble is, it just *might* be of a serial killer and it *might* be cursed. Then the murders begin... #ukteenchat

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Cynthia Murphy @cynthiamurphyya.bsky.social · 16/09/2025

Thanks so much for having me on #UKTeenchat to talk about #KeepYourFriendsClose @finlaysonpalmer.bsky.social I'll try to catch up on messages here for a while but I'm not usually here - you can find me and Loli over on Insta!

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Cynthia Murphy @cynthiamurphyya.bsky.social · 16/09/2025

Don't compare yourself to anyone else! It's so hard and I still do it sometimes, but comparison really can be the thief of joy. Write what you want, how you want. And finish the bl**dy book! #KeepYourFriendsClose #UKTeenchat

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Cynthia Murphy @cynthiamurphyya.bsky.social · 16/09/2025

No! Sorry... I am just finishing some edits and it is coming sooner than planned ... it's very, very weird but has been my favourite part of this year and an absolute joy to write. I can't wait to share it, I just don 't know when that will be! #KeepYourFriendsClose #UKTeenchat

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Cynthia Murphy @cynthiamurphyya.bsky.social · 16/09/2025

No real rituals, but I have a lovely home office. This year we got a pergola for the garden, so I've spent many happy hours out there! My office is my favourite room though, it's hot pink and full of books, skulls and other weird objects. #KeepYourFriendsClose #UKTeenchat

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Cynthia Murphy @cynthiamurphyya.bsky.social · 16/09/2025

Holding a finished book and meeting readers is the BEST. I get very 'in my feelings' during drafting (I never seem to remember how to do it until it's written) and I do like editing, but sending it out into the world is so wonderful, even though it's terrifying too. #KeepYourFriendsClose #UKTeenchat

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Cynthia Murphy @cynthiamurphyya.bsky.social · 16/09/2025

Noooooooooo. Too much regular socialising for me! And I'd probably forget to go and get kicked out anyway. Plus I'm TERRIBLE at keeping secrets. #KeepYourFriendsClose #UKTeenchat

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Cynthia Murphy @cynthiamurphyya.bsky.social · 16/09/2025

I love Chloe's arrival at Morton for second year. She knows everyone is screwing her over but she just plays along and has quite an unhinged inner monologue. There's a lot of awful people so it was very fun! #KeepYourFriendsClose #UKTeenchat

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Cynthia Murphy @cynthiamurphyya.bsky.social · 16/09/2025

Yes. I had to, because there are so many moving parts between this and the subplot in #WinLoseKillDie so I had to be faithful to that AND create a whole new idea. Do not recommend haha! #KeepYourFriendsClose #UKTeenchat

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Cynthia Murphy @cynthiamurphyya.bsky.social · 16/09/2025

Oh, yes. Yale have a 'secret' society called Skull and Bone that I looked into, also Old Josef is a reference to The Society of OddFellows. There's also a lot about class systems in there! #KeepYourFriendsClose #UKTeenchat

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Cynthia Murphy @cynthiamurphyya.bsky.social · 16/09/2025

Yes! Cults - the what/why/how of them. I find it fascinating how anything could be. cult - including the popular clique. Also #WinLoseKill Die had a lot to do with it, as I was exploring a backstory from that book. #UKTeenchat

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Cynthia Murphy @cynthiamurphyya.bsky.social · 16/09/2025

It's set at Morton Academy from #WinLoseKillDie but it's 1999. Chloe, our MC, goes back to school and her role of Head Girl (and are boyfriend) are stolen by frenemie Nikhita Patel (aka Dr Patel from WLKD). Chloe quickly realises something murderous is afoot and that she's on the hitlist.#UKTeenchat

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Cynthia Murphy @cynthiamurphyya.bsky.social · 16/09/2025

Hi everyone at #UKTeenchat! Thanks for having me Emma :)

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Emma Finlayson-Palmer @finlaysonpalmer.bsky.social · 16/09/2025

The fabulous @cynthiamurphyya.bsky.social will be joining me tonight - Tues 16th Sept 8-9pm BST for #ukteenchat. Cynthia will be chatting all about her dark academia YA - Keep Your Friends Close. All welcome to come and join in the chat, held here on BlueSky 🙂 #writerslife #writingcommunity

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Cynthia Murphy @cynthiamurphyya.bsky.social · 15/09/2025

I’ll be here tomorrow night! Get your questions ready 💙 #ukteenchat

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Reposted by Cynthia Murphy

Emma Finlayson-Palmer @finlaysonpalmer.bsky.social · 09/09/2025

Next #ukteenchat will be on Tues 16th Sept 8-9pm BST with the fabulous @cynthiamurphyya.bsky.social - who will be chatting all about her new #YA - Keep Your Friends Close. All welcome to come and join here on BlueSky 🙂 #KeepYourFriendsClose #writerslife #WritingCommunity

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Cynthia Murphy @cynthiamurphyya.bsky.social · 08/09/2025

Hello Bluesky! My new book is out this week and I just wanted to show you how pretty she is 💙 #KeepYourFriendsClose

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