Today ladies and gents, we have a special guest giving us an interview. Her name is Lisa Morrow, and she is the brilliant writer of The Sea Goddess: A Tarak Tale: Part 1 and To Kill a Wizard: Rose’s Story (The Protectors of Tarak) but to name a few. Reading her first short story, blew me away. She managed to pack, so much drama and tension, into such a short piece of work, that I am wondering what her longer works are like. If you have not done so yet, pick up her first book and see for yourself.
But anyway without further adieu, please welcome Lisa Morrow.
Do you want to tell us a little about your stories, and what made you choose to self publish?
Everyone wants to feel powerful, and yet, there are so many times when we feel exactly the opposite. My stories revolve around characters who are often blessed with magic. Their powers give them the means to do things that ordinary people can’t do. But the funny thing is, magic doesn’t just instantly solve their problems. If anything, it often creates more problems for them. It’s only through their bravery, strength of will, and sense of morality that they’re able to accomplish great things.
Rose, in “To Kill a Wizard” faces an army of undead wizards to protect those she loves. Dessi, in “The Sea Goddess,” plunges into danger as she steps out on The Feast of Darkness to rescue a friend. And Dessi’s problems only grow, in “Realm of Goddesses” when she must risk her life against an impossible enemy.
And these young women manage to do it all while falling in love.
So in other words, I write young adult fantasy with a splash of romance. I focus on creating plots that move quickly, keep the tension high, and have character you want to see succeed.
As for deciding to self-publish, it was a difficult choice. But in the end, I couldn’t give up control over my work. I love being able to go online multiple times a day to monitor my sales. In fact, after this post comes out, I’ll be able to see how many people downloaded my free story, how many people bought my paid stories, and how many people “bought” my story through Kindle Unlimited (where I’ll be able to see how many pages they read each day). Can you imagine knowing any of this through a traditional publisher? It is quite simply awesome.
How long have you been writing for? And what first made you want to put pen to paper, or fingers to keypads as it were.
I started writing when I was in the second grade. I entered writing competitions as early as elementary school. And from the very beginning, I was driven with a deep need to write a story and to have it heard.
What’s your favorite genre to read, and write?
Young adult novels are fun, as is sci-fi, but nothing beats fantasy. I love it. There’s something about the limitless possibilities that has me returning to it over and over again.
Who’s your favorite author, and what’s your most memorable novel?
This is a tricky one. “Bridge to Terabithia” was the first novel that made me cry, and that taught me how a well-written novel can create characters who feel real. “The Golden Compass” showed me how a master-writer can create whole worlds, and “Harry Potter” was simply a novel that left me forever attached to people and places that only exist in my mind.
You’re doing all the right things (awesome covers and blurbs) when it comes to selling books. Do you have any suggestions for other authors?
Write what drives you, but then finish what you start. I think it’s easier to have a dozen half-finished novels, than to spend months or years editing a novel until it’s what you want. And guess what? With self-publishing, you’ll learn very quickly what you’re doing well and what you need to work on. It can sting a bit, but it just means you can keep growing and improving as a writer.
And once your work is out there, you can promote your novel, (which takes time away from writing, but at least a little promotion is necessary). You can also spend a lot of money having others promote it for you (which I don’t), but the three most important things to being successful will always be: a good blurb, a good cover, and writing your next book.
What are you planning next, and where can people find out more?
I’m working on a ridiculous number of things right now, because I’m going wherever inspiration strikes. The third story in the Dessi series has been started and started over multiple times. I have a cool superhero story coming out in an anthology this year. Rose’s mom will get her own three part story series. And, I have a couple short romances in the works.
Where to Find Me…
Website: www.lisamorrowbooks.wordpress.com/
Twitter: @LisaMorrowBooks
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100003385210975
Amazon Page: http://www.amazon.com/Lisa-Morrow/e/B00X6S1EM6/
Want to read an awesome young adult fantasy novel? Check out “To Kill a Wizard” by Lisa Morrow (free with Kindle Unlimited):
When eighteen-year-old Rose is chosen to join a mysterious order of women known as The Protectors, she hopes to escape a forced marriage and a miserable life. Instead, she unveils the dark secrecy surrounding The Protectors, and uncovers the horrific truth behind their power source. With her loyalty in tatters and her best friend’s life held hostage, she must learn to unlock the powerful magic slumbering deep inside her.
But time is running out.
The Undead Wizards, a dangerous enemy, have re-emerged from the Underworld, plunging The Protectors and the kingdom into a brutal war. Unfortunately, The Fates’ decree, that Rose is the answer to the war, may cost her more than she ever imagined. To win, she must decide whether to join them and betray the man she loves, or risk the annihilation of all she holds dear.
Thank you Dominique Mondesir for letting me stop by your awesome blog!
Dominique Mondesir 