Good morning everyone!
On the Philia blog today we have Morgan K. Wyatt. This interview was scheduled to appear on another site but, due to some technical difficulties on their end, we're posting it here for Morgan's loyal fans to enjoy.
Read on to see what Morgan had to say:
Where do you hail from and what do you love most about your hometown?
I’m from Louisville, Kentucky. The great thing about Louisville, besides The Derby, is the people. Louisville folks don’t take themselves too seriously, which allows them to be friendly, often witty, and polite. The next best thing about Louisville is there is always plenty to do from the various street festivals to their eclectic hole in the wall stores.
Did you always want to write? How did it influence your career?
My mother taught me to read and write when I was four to give herself a break from me pestering her. I used that talent to write my class mates in first grade, perhaps spurring them onto reading. I also told them how all the reading books ended earning my teacher’s undying gratitude.
I majored in English in college and became an English teacher, then morphed into a special education teacher.
Tell us about your latest book. Do you have anything new in the works and can you tell us a bit about it?
Reluctant Cougar is the first book is the Cougar series. It is about a perfectly average woman who never, ever thought of herself as a cougar, but then fate intervened. Reluctant Cougar is followed by Cub in Blue, a story with a wounded hero as the male romantic lead. Next is Puppy Love, a humorous tale about a shy banker, a new vet, and the wayward puppy that brings them together.
Have you ever used contemporary events or stories “ripped from the headlines” in your work?
I have used situations as opposed to using names. There was an accident in my town involving two boys who looked alike. They actually buried one boy thinking he was the other. In my story, I allow the boys to be twins. The surviving twin takes the identity of the dead twin since he was more popular.
Is there anything you find particularly challenging about writing?
The hardest thing is finding time to write because if my job, family, and demanding dog often get in the way. I usually do write about four or five in the morning before work, and before anyone is awake.
What advice would you give to writers just starting out?
Write every day, and get connected to the writing world. It is so important to have all types of writing friends, from beginning to multi-published friends too. If a writing or critique group doesn’t feel right, then it isn’t. I spent four years with a group that met monthly and all they did was rip each other apart. Needless to say, it didn’t motivate me. Looking back, I can see the group was a bad fit.
Do you ever suffer from writer's block? If so, what do you do about it?
Not too often, writing is like me talking, and I can do that endlessly! Sometimes I come to a block in my story, and I deal with it by working on another story. I have three in the works currently.
Who is your favorite author and why? What books have most influenced your life?
Jayne Ann Krentz is my favorite author because her books are a delight to read because of the rapid pace, witty dialogue, and chemistry. I loved all The Black Stallion books because I grew up with horses. Gone with the Wind has had a profound effect on me because it showed me a heroine didn’t have to be sweet and virtuous.
How did you deal with rejection letters?
I usually moan to my writing friends about the rejection letters, who either regale me with theirs rejection letter tales or tell me my story has merit. Most of the rejection letters have been decent letters with legitimate criticisms, which helped my writing. The worse I got recently wasn’t even about my book. It was about someone else’s book, which made me wonder if they ever read my story or did someone else get my letter?
What tools do you feel are must-haves for writers?
A computer, plus memberships in organizations like local writing groups, and Romance Writers of America, will help a young writer find her feet. A library card is another must have and an Internet connection to do research.
Where do you as an author draw the line on gory descriptions and/or erotic content?
I don’t usually do gory, not my style. If someone gets shot it is off stage, so to speak. As for erotic, I am old fashioned girl in that there is only one woman and one man involved, although they can be very passionate. They do fall in love, even though there are some complications, and end up happily ever after. Even though my books are billed as erotic romances, there is plenty of romance, and even plot! You could skip the love scenes and still enjoy and understand it.
What's the weirdest thing you've ever done in the name of research?
I like to visit places as research. I went to a drag show once, and was thought to be a performer. I am not sure if it was an insult or a compliment. Most of the performers were gorgeous, but campy. LOL
And now for the giveaway! Morgan is graciously offering an eBook as a prize for one lucky commenter and a "Cougar Basket" to another. The basket includes a stuffed cougar plushie, dark chocolate, bath salts and flower seeds. To enter, you must comment below, follow the Philia Book Tours blog via Networked Blogs and retweet this post on Twitter. Entrants will be chosen on Friday, March 16th.
Please include your email address in your comment so we can contact you if you're chosen as a winner.
On the Philia blog today we have Morgan K. Wyatt. This interview was scheduled to appear on another site but, due to some technical difficulties on their end, we're posting it here for Morgan's loyal fans to enjoy.
Read on to see what Morgan had to say:
Where do you hail from and what do you love most about your hometown?
I’m from Louisville, Kentucky. The great thing about Louisville, besides The Derby, is the people. Louisville folks don’t take themselves too seriously, which allows them to be friendly, often witty, and polite. The next best thing about Louisville is there is always plenty to do from the various street festivals to their eclectic hole in the wall stores.
Did you always want to write? How did it influence your career?
My mother taught me to read and write when I was four to give herself a break from me pestering her. I used that talent to write my class mates in first grade, perhaps spurring them onto reading. I also told them how all the reading books ended earning my teacher’s undying gratitude.
I majored in English in college and became an English teacher, then morphed into a special education teacher.
Tell us about your latest book. Do you have anything new in the works and can you tell us a bit about it?
Reluctant Cougar is the first book is the Cougar series. It is about a perfectly average woman who never, ever thought of herself as a cougar, but then fate intervened. Reluctant Cougar is followed by Cub in Blue, a story with a wounded hero as the male romantic lead. Next is Puppy Love, a humorous tale about a shy banker, a new vet, and the wayward puppy that brings them together.
Have you ever used contemporary events or stories “ripped from the headlines” in your work?
I have used situations as opposed to using names. There was an accident in my town involving two boys who looked alike. They actually buried one boy thinking he was the other. In my story, I allow the boys to be twins. The surviving twin takes the identity of the dead twin since he was more popular.
Is there anything you find particularly challenging about writing?
The hardest thing is finding time to write because if my job, family, and demanding dog often get in the way. I usually do write about four or five in the morning before work, and before anyone is awake.
What advice would you give to writers just starting out?
Write every day, and get connected to the writing world. It is so important to have all types of writing friends, from beginning to multi-published friends too. If a writing or critique group doesn’t feel right, then it isn’t. I spent four years with a group that met monthly and all they did was rip each other apart. Needless to say, it didn’t motivate me. Looking back, I can see the group was a bad fit.
Do you ever suffer from writer's block? If so, what do you do about it?
Not too often, writing is like me talking, and I can do that endlessly! Sometimes I come to a block in my story, and I deal with it by working on another story. I have three in the works currently.
Who is your favorite author and why? What books have most influenced your life?
Jayne Ann Krentz is my favorite author because her books are a delight to read because of the rapid pace, witty dialogue, and chemistry. I loved all The Black Stallion books because I grew up with horses. Gone with the Wind has had a profound effect on me because it showed me a heroine didn’t have to be sweet and virtuous.
How did you deal with rejection letters?
I usually moan to my writing friends about the rejection letters, who either regale me with theirs rejection letter tales or tell me my story has merit. Most of the rejection letters have been decent letters with legitimate criticisms, which helped my writing. The worse I got recently wasn’t even about my book. It was about someone else’s book, which made me wonder if they ever read my story or did someone else get my letter?
What tools do you feel are must-haves for writers?
A computer, plus memberships in organizations like local writing groups, and Romance Writers of America, will help a young writer find her feet. A library card is another must have and an Internet connection to do research.
Where do you as an author draw the line on gory descriptions and/or erotic content?
I don’t usually do gory, not my style. If someone gets shot it is off stage, so to speak. As for erotic, I am old fashioned girl in that there is only one woman and one man involved, although they can be very passionate. They do fall in love, even though there are some complications, and end up happily ever after. Even though my books are billed as erotic romances, there is plenty of romance, and even plot! You could skip the love scenes and still enjoy and understand it.
What's the weirdest thing you've ever done in the name of research?
I like to visit places as research. I went to a drag show once, and was thought to be a performer. I am not sure if it was an insult or a compliment. Most of the performers were gorgeous, but campy. LOL
And now for the giveaway! Morgan is graciously offering an eBook as a prize for one lucky commenter and a "Cougar Basket" to another. The basket includes a stuffed cougar plushie, dark chocolate, bath salts and flower seeds. To enter, you must comment below, follow the Philia Book Tours blog via Networked Blogs and retweet this post on Twitter. Entrants will be chosen on Friday, March 16th.
Please include your email address in your comment so we can contact you if you're chosen as a winner.
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