Interview

Hi Morgan, and welcome to RomanceJunkies.  First, can you let us know what projects you are currently working on?

 

I’m currently working on the prequel to my novella that’s part of RAPTURE 1, to be published in March by Rapture Publishing LLC. This is a print collection, and my contribution, THE ENCHANTRESS, is an erotic-romantic suspense, as is the novel I’m working on now.

 

What does your writing space look like? How do you fit writing into your schedule? 

 

I have an office that holds my computers as well as my husband’s. I’m in the corner – literally. And I’m surrounded by stuff. A teddy bear shares space with a unicorn on my tower; to my right is my printer, to my left a small table that holds my lap top. The desk my pc is on is actually an antique oak library desk, and my keyboard is on a board that stretches across the open desk drawer. Maybe someday I’ll get a modern computer desk, but this works. As for my schedule, I’m blessed that I can write full time. I sit down at my computer in the morning and spend a lot of my day there.

 

How long does it take you to write a book? Do you write one book at a time or do you have a few going at once?

 

How long it takes to write a book depends on how well my muse is treating me. When she’s being benevolent, I manage a chapter a day, and can have a novel completed and ready to submit in a couple of months. And I generally only work on one novel at a time.

 

Has your environment/upbringing colored your writing at all? Have you ever written about life's experiences?

 

I believe that everything I’ve experienced has been deposited into a well and it is this well from which I draw in order to write. I have used some life experiences in some of my earlier, unpublished works. And I know that as I expand my creative horizons, I’ll use more of them, and in different ways.

 

Do you do any research for your books? What is the most interesting thing you have learned?

 

Yes, I do research. God Bless the Internet for this, because it makes that task so much easier. Beyond using the computer to research, I’ve traveled a fair bit. I’ve learned to ride a horse, and to shoot several different guns. The most interesting thing I have learned is that on TV, when the cops hold out their hand guns with one hand and shoot so easily…well that’s a big fat lie. I had to use two hands and the kick back of the two hand guns I fired – a Taurus .38 revolver and a Glock .9mm – was heavier than the that of the rifles.

 

Have you seen changes in your writing since you began writing? How about in the writing industry? What do you feel are the best changes that have happened?

 

My writing has improved so much over the years. With each novel, I think I get better. I’m fairly new to the industry side of things, having just been published for the first time in March 2007 but I think the advent of ‘e-publishing’ has been a tremendous boon for writers.

 

How did you celebrate the sale of your first book? Who were the first people that you told?

 

My husband was the first person that I told when I got that e-mail from Siren Publishing. And I celebrated by getting back to work on my next novel.

 

Do you name your characters first or do they have to have a personality before they are named? How do you choose their names?

 

I’m not sure if I know how I name them, really. Every novel I’ve written has been born out of a single scene, or a ‘what if’. But the ‘what if’ is always about characters. What if a man and woman seemed to be complete opposites only on the surface but were actually Made For Each Other? What if a middle aged woman of low self-esteem met a younger man who wanted to help her bloom, sexually? After the ‘what if’ I just think about who these people might be. Before long they tell me their names.

 

How does your family feel about your writing? Have they read your books?

 

My family is very proud of me. My husband has read every one of my books and is my biggest fan. However, neither of my grown kids have read any of my books – they don’t want to know that mom knows that stuff.

 

What kinds of hobbies do you have? Is there anything you would love to learn but just haven't had the chance to yet?

 

I love to cook, and we’ve been traveling a great deal over the last few years. I love to garden when I can, sometimes I like to play silly games online, and of course, I read. There are a lot of things I would like to learn – a few different languages, maybe some scuba diving.

 

What kinds of books do you read? What is the last book you read that left a big impression on you?

 

I read romance, romantic suspense, and suspense. I also like to read biographies.  My favorite authors are Nora Roberts (J D ROBB), Kay Hooper, Kelley Armstrong, Linda Howard and Catharine Coulter. As to the last book I read that left a big impression, I guess that would have to be INNOCENT IN DEATH by J D Robb – because of who the murderer turned out to be.

 

MORE FUN…

 

What are your favorite TV programs? Do you have any that you can't miss every week?

 

I love Stargate Atlantis, Battlestar Galactica (the newer one) Extreme Makeover Home Edition, and Survivor. Those are the only shows I watch on a regular basis.

 

 

What are three words you would say describes you? Are they the same as family and friends would use?

 

Loyal, persistent, and caring. I just asked my daughter this, and she got one of the above. But others often see us quite differently than we see ourselves.

 

What is your favorite way to vacation, camping, a cruise or spending a lazy week at a hotel?

 

I love a cruise. I’ve been on three. The one I liked the best was on an older ship with the wide wooden decks, where the deck chairs were spaced along the side, not all jammed together on a stern deck.

 

What do you look most forward to with the warm weather coming? What is your favorite season?

 

I look forward to having my widows open wide, fresh air filling my space. I look forward to being able to go outside without a coat and scarf and mitts and hat and boots. Spring is my favorite season. It’s the season of renewal and optimism – two things we all can use.

 

Thank you, Morgan, for spending time with us.  It has been a lot of fun.  Continued success with your writing.

 

By Kim Atchue-Cusella

Romance Junkies Publishing Editor Pam Sacknea

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