Today I have fellow Noble Romance Author Elizabeth Morgan joining me today. She's got lots to share with us...
Elizabeth started life wanting to be an actress because she loved entertaining people. She enjoyed nothing more than being able to make people laugh and to help distract them from reality for a few hours.
She studied Musical Theatre in college, but during her second year, her mind started to overflow with story ideas, so she began writing plays. Slowly, over the following three years, she wrote more and more, channeling every ounce of her imagination into the written word.
And now, here she is, three years later, hiding away like a hermit in her little cottage in Cheshire, England, writing like crazy and loving every minute of it.
What motivates Elizabeth Morgan the author? Why do you write?
Well, I kinda get stalked by characters. I get plagued by images and scenes. I am bombarded by thoughts that have nothing to do with me, or what I'm doing... All the weirdness aside, I just love to tell stories. When I get an idea I itch to make something out of it. When a character steps in to my mind, begging or demanding a story, I really can't ignore them. Believe me, I have tried... *stares at Owen*
When did you know you were a writer? Was it always your destiny or did you stumble upon your craft by accident?
I originally wanted to be an actress, but writing was always something that ran along side it. I wrote little stories and poems in school, and continued to do so throughout my teens. It wasn't until 2009 that I became serious about actually writing full time, but I have loved every minute since.
What is your favorite genre to write and why?
Paranormal. I love it. Watching, reading, writing... I would pretty much eat it if it was an edible product. I just love the endless possibilities. I look at all the different creatures throughout the ages and... Well, It's like walking in to some kind of freaky candy store - only it's filled with werewolves, mermaids, vampires, angels etc. - and I'm a greedy kid with to much money for my own good. : )
Right along side paranormal, is romance. I am a sucker for romance, be it sweet or erotic, any heat level or length. I just love watching people get their flirt on and fall in love.
How many hours a day do you devote to writing? Do you have a set routine or do you write when the mood strikes?
I write when the mood strikes, which can be very annoying when it strikes at 1am in the morning and I'm starting to get tired. As much as I would like to live in my head and write 24/7, real life is ever present and kickin' my butt. So I unfortunately go through some phases where I don't write as much as I want : (
Tell us about the most intriguing character you've created.
I have to say the most interesting character I have actually created is in a project I am working on right now. He's a shifter - kind of - and he's just so irritating. So curious. When he finds out a piece of information; he asks question after question. Or should I say that he answers questions with questions. Yeah, he's that type of irritating. If something or someone interests him, he has to find out more about it/them until he is satisfied to leave it/them alone. But his blutness makes me giggle, and the exchanges between him and the leading lady of this particular story... are just crazy.
Who is your favorite author? And, if given the opportunity to meet them, what would you ask them?
I really don't have one. I heart Ilona Andrews, Moira Rogers, Jill Myles, Lara Adrian, Meljean Brook... the list goes on. I think my question would be the same for all of them, "May I either live in your brain(s), or borrow it/them?" Something tells me if that question was asked it would be a very short meeting O_o
What did you do when you found out your first book had been contracted?
Screamed. Yeah, I actually did, and it was midnight. Oops. Luckily none of my neighbours came knocking.
Do you have any words of inspiration to aspiring authors? What advice would you offer a writer trying to publish?
All of this is going off what I have learnt, and figured out. The process to publication is different for every writer, so the following are just a few things that I would go back in time for, so I could say to myself.
Firstly, don't compare yourself to other authors. We all have are own voices, and views and imaginations. We're all unique.
Secondly, don't feel you need to follow the current genre trend. Write what you love, what you know, what you would read. You want to write about vampires, or query a vampire story. Do it! Yeah you might read that people are sick of vampires - or whatever else you have picked - but it doesn't mean that people will stop writing about them or wanting to read about them. They are an ageless topic and subject of interest and they will never grow old - bad pun.
Thirdly, don't let rejections get to you. Easier said then done, I know. I had fifty odd rejections before my first novella was accepted. It's hard to put something out there that you have created, because it is apart of you. Rejecting that piece of work is basically someone rejecting you, or more to the point, a part of you. It feels personal. It isn't. An agency or publisher take what they think is right for their business - because that's what they are a business. The key is to remember that everyone has different taste. I'm sure you have bought a book, read a few pages and put it down because it wasn't your cup of tea. Yet someone else will devour it over and over again. That's basically the deal with the query prosses. So just keep your chin up, and keep going with it.
You get a rejection, send your manuscript somewhere else. Someone will love it, and it takes that one person to say yes. After that you will find they aren't the only one who will love your amazing book.
Lastly, breathe. Through the entire process just breathe. Try not to stress or force your creativity to work. You will have days - maybe weeks - where you creative juices will not flow, and your brain will just melt. It's horrid, it's frustrating, but sometimes we all need those moments. Once you have sent a query off don't worry about it. Just start toying with that new project idea.
The moment you stress, and force things, is the moment went writing will begin to feel like a chore. We write because we have stories to tell, stories we love and want to share. It's important we hang on to that passion, and sometimes that means sitting back and just breathing.
Tell us about your current releases.
She-Wolf, sexy scottish werewolves and a whole lot of bloody fun. Well, it's more like a whirlwind nightmare for poor Owen. A crazy dream for Clare. And the usual business for the pack.
She-Wolf is the first installment in The Blood Series. The book was actually written after the Sequel - Cranberry Blood - and if it wasn't for that book, or it's leads I can honestly say there would be no She-Wolf, which is sheer blasphemy!
I would just like to say, a big thank you to everyone who has purchased it so far. I hope you enjoyed the story.
For more information on the book - or series - and how it all began just pop on over to my blog. www.xxxxmyworldxxxx.blogspot.com
She-Wolf Blurb:
Dealing with the Rogue werewolves terrorizing his Pack? Simple. Trying to convince his mate he does want to be with her? Bloody impossible.
Owen MacLaren is the Alpha's son and the Pack's second, and he has never been one to let anything get to him. So when a bunch of Rogues begin purposely dumping mutilated bodies around the Pack Keep, he is more than ready to deal with the Werewolves responsible. But one trip to a local strip joint for a colleague's stag night changes things, and Owen soon discovers he isn't immune to everything . . . .
After five years away, Clare Walker finds herself back home in Scotland, working in a strip club. The tips are decent, and she gets to dance, but it isn't a place she thought she would ever be, let alone Owen, her Pack second and the Werewolf who broke her heart.
Although Owen is determined to prove he wants to be with Clare, things can't go smoothly between them, not when they have past issues to sort out and a bunch of unusual 'Rogues' to deal with.
Buy links:
Noble Romance Publishing - https://www.nobleromance.com/Books/310/She-Wolf
All Romance Ebooks - http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-shewolf-594242-139.html
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My first published book, Razel Dazzle, was released in May - this was the book that had me screaming at midnight over its acceptance : ) It is a modern twist on the tale of Rapunzel, and is set in the modelling industry.
Razel Dazzle Blurb:
Famous for her long, golden hair and beaming smile, Razel is the hottest model in town.But although most women would die to break into this career, Razel's life is limited by rules. None of which bothered her until she meets Matthew Prince, a new photographer in the business.
Razel refuses to let her mother/agent strict rules stop her from spending one night with the man of her desires. But she quickly discovers that one night with Matthew isn't enough, and being with him is something she definitely wants in life.
But how will she break the tight restraints of her wicked mother?
Buy links:
Cobblestone Press - http://www.cobblestone-press.com/catalog/books/razeldazzle.htm
All Romance Ebooks - http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-razeldazzle-576221-140.html
Do you have any upcoming projects in the works?
I'm in the middle of editing, The Collector, which is my new paranormal romance novella. I actually wrote this angel story in 2009, so I'm a little behind everyone else with this particular topic. It is - hopefully - the first of four in the series, and should also be out before the end of the year. The Collector is a rather sweet story and the choice that the lead male makes is the action that gets the ball rolling for the overall storyline of the series.
For anyone who is interested, there is actually a freebie on my blog titled - Home. This short story is linked to, and stars Kale from The Collector, but it is set years before.
The Collector Blurb:
After watching millions die, those human emotions are starting to take effect. Instead of collecting his next spirit from the car accident that is about to kill her, Kale saves her life. His punishment for ruining fate... is mortality.
Samantha hasn't been able to stop thinking about her beautiful hero. So when she stumbles across him, lying in a hospital bed with a small case of amnesia, she is more than happy to offer him her help. It's the least she can do to re-pay the man who saved her life.
Though Samantha soon learns that Kale isn't the guardian angel she thought he was, not to mention how far he has fallen to earn a place in her heart.
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Cranberry Blood, which is the sequel to She-Wolf. I don't have a release date for this novel yet, but it should hopefully be released before the end of the year. This novel has two new leads - but do not worry you will see Owen and Clare again : ) - lots of sarcasm and blood. You get to find out the deal with those bloody rogues, not to mention meet a vampire... or a dozen.
Cranberry Blood Blurb:
Killing Vampires? Easy. Tracking someone? Simple. Helping, and protecting a Vampire slayer... Bloody hard work!
Thirteen years ago, Brendan Daniels made a deal with a psychic. In exchange for information on the whereabouts of a Rogue Werewolf, he promised to help and protect Sofia's granddaughter. Unfortunately, he had no idea what he was getting himself, or his Pack, into.
Nothing about Heather is simple, from her weird dietary needs to her life’s mission. The girl can handle herself, but the promise to protect her soon becomes a need, and one that he can't fully understand.
Vampire Slayer. Born Infected. Blood addict... but not by choice.
Heather Ryan is the most recent slayer in a long family line. Like all before her, she has spent her life searching for her ancestor, Marko Pavel, the Vampire her family has sworn to kill. If that isn't complicated enough, Heather is also a born "Infected", and to keep her from becoming insane or giving in to her darker side, she is on a very strict diet.
Grandmother Sofia has passed, so now it is up to Heather to take the family legacy into her own hands, all alone: or at least, it would have been, if her Grandmother hadn't sent a Werewolf to help her.
What is the irritating Brendan supposed to help Heather with? Sofia never told either one of them. But it doesn't take long for Heather and Brendan to find out that the Vampires have big plans, and that the fiends have waited a long time for them both.
(Both blurbs are rough and could be changed, but so far this is how they are.)
Where can readers connect with you?
My Blog - www.xxxxmyworldxxxx.blogspot.com
Facebook - Elizabeth Morgan
Twitter - @EMorgan2010
Goodreads - http://www.goodreads.com/elizabethmorgan
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Thanks so much for stopping by! Good Luck with the upcoming releases!
Ella
Fab interview! I love taking a peek into writers minds!
ReplyDeleteWell done Elizabeth!