About the Author:
Morgan Hannah MacDonald writes Romantic Thrillers-Not
for the faint of heart. She has always been interested in writing and serial
killers, but it wasn’t until she found she had dated one herself that a true
writer was born. She belongs to Romance Writers of America’s San Diego Chapter,
as well as the Kiss of Death Chapter. She resides in San Diego, California
where she is busy working on her next novel.
Email: morganwrites@yahoo.com
Website: www.morganhannahmacdonald.com
INTERVIEW WITH
MORGAN HANNAH MACDONALD
What is your name, where were you born
and where do you live now?
Morgan Hannah
MacDonald. I was born in Encino, California, and now reside in San Diego,
California and I love it!
Did you always want to
be a writer? If not what did you want to be?
Nope, growing up I wanted to be a
singer. By the time I was in high school that turned into a Rock Star! *Big Smile*
When did you first consider yourself as
a "writer"?
Not until I got
SANDMAN published. This is my first book.
Do you work another job as well as your
writing work?
No, I am a
full-time writer now.
What is the name of
your latest book, and if you had to summarize it in less than 20 words what
would you say?
SANDMAN. A serial killer on the loose, a woman being stalked, and a homicide detective
who must find the connection between the two before she becomes his next
victim. Guess I can’t keep it to only
twenty! You know authors can be a little
wordy. *giggle*
Who is your publisher? or do you self publish?
I’m self
published. New York is hard to break
into. I found my books don’t fall into a
nice little genre. There are rules to
Romantic Suspense that I didn’t want to adhere to. So by publishing myself, I can write the
books the way I want. SANDMAN is more of
a Romantic Thriller. The romance is
secondary to the plot.
How long does it usually take you to write a book, from the original idea to finishing writing it?
The average is three months, before the rewrites. * grin* You know what they say; The first draft comes from the heart, the second draft comes from the head!
What can we expect from you in the
future? ie More books of the same genre?
Actually, I have a
trilogy coming out next that is in the Paranormal Romantic Thriller genre. It’s called The Spirits Trilogy. Book one,
SPIRITS IN THE TREES is due out May 2012. In that one I have a serial killer
and ghosts!
Which of your books were easier/harder
to write than the others?
SANDMAN, my first
book, just flew out. I didn’t have a
clue where it came from!
My second book in
The Spirits Trilogy, SPIRITS IN THE CITY OF LIGHTS is the hardest because I
have to keep stopping to promote SANDMAN
or do something else for SPIRITS
IN THE TREES to get it ready for publication.
Where do you get your book plot ideas from?
The idea for SANDMAN
was inspired by my own realization that I had dated a serial killer. When I found out I was shocked, of course,
but at the time I didn’t know just how fortunate I was to have survived. I just thought; Wow, I’m lucky he wasn’t crazy
when I dated him! In denial much? So while I was getting ready for this blog
tour, I googled his name to check on the date he was apprehended. I was right, it was my birthday 1998. There was an extensive article about him and
as I read it, I was blown away. He did
have a troubled past. He was discharged from the Marines in the 1980’s for
mental problems. Eight years prior to
our brief relationship he had been arrested for the brutal rape and beating of
a prostitute. The case was dropped due to lack of evidence. And his killing
spree began three short years after we broke up.
Do you have a certain routine you have for
writing? ie You listen to music, sit in a certain chair?
I get up in the morning, pour myself a big cup of coffee and sit down at the computer. I’ll read my last chapter to get myself into the story and then go for it!
I get up in the morning, pour myself a big cup of coffee and sit down at the computer. I’ll read my last chapter to get myself into the story and then go for it!
Yes, I have a special chair. It’s a high back
chair with an ottoman. I write with my legs up and my laptop, well in my
lap! *giggle* I’m quite comfortable and
my shoulders don’t ache from sitting at a desk all day. I don’t know why everyone doesn’t it do it
like this! I see people sitting at desks in front of their laptops and just
have to wonder, why?
I don’t listen to music, because I’m a
singer and would want to sing along. Too distracting. *grin*
Do you gift books to readers to do
reviews?
Yes, in fact, at the back of SANDMAN I
have a letter to my readers. I ask them
to tell other readers what they liked about the book, then send me an email and
I will gift them my next book as a thank you.
Do you read all the reviews of your
book/books?
I’m sure I will. I don’t see me being able to stay away! *giggle*
I’m sure I will. I don’t see me being able to stay away! *giggle*
Would you ever ask a reviewer to change
their review if it was not all positive about your book/books?
No. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and I know I can’t please everyone.
No. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and I know I can’t please everyone.
How do you come up
with the Title and Cover Designs for your book/books?Who designed the Cover of
your books?
Actually, SANDMAN
has had several titles. When I first
wrote it the title was BLOOD IN THE SAND.
Then it became, AND THEN YOU DIE as in Life’s a beach, and then you
die. But before I published it I asked
my friends on Facebook to vote on the different titles and SANDMAN won. That’s the name of the serial killer.
The cover of my
book was designed by me and my nephew, Owen Moody, who also designed my
webpage. I found a picture I liked and
he tweeked it for me. I wanted a simple
cover that was sort of dark and ominous, which I think we achieved. The beach and the ocean play a big part in
this book. The main character, Meagan
McInnis, loves everything about the beach; the smell of the ocean, the relaxing
rhythm of the waves, she jogs on the beach every morning and loves swimming in
the ocean as well. Then we have the
killer who buries his prey in shallow graves in the sand. His most favorite memory of childhood is
playing on the beach with his mother before she went away.
Do you choose a title first, or write the book
then choose the title?
So far the titles
have been when I first start the book.
How do you market/promote your books?
Well, besides this
blog tour, I will do a few ads later on.
What do you do to unwind and relax?Do you have
a hobby?
I’m an avid
reader, of course. I play scrabble. I
love movies and music. I have eclectic tastes, from The Rolling Stones to Nine
Inch Nails. Boogie boarding. Swimming.
Knitting. Gardening. Evenings with friends.
Which format of book do you prefer, ebook, hardback,
or paperback?
I can’t choose. I love them all for different reasons.
I can’t choose. I love them all for different reasons.
What is your favorite book and Why?
Thomas Harris’ Silence of the Lambs. Up until
I read that book, back in the late 1980’s, I had not read anything that delved
into the mind of a serial killer and I found
it fascinating.
Have you read it more than once?
No. There are too
many good books out there to read, so I don’t want to waste time reading
something I already know the ending to.
What are you currently reading?
PREY
by Linda Howard
Are you enjoying it?
I only just started it, but I’m sure I
will. I’ve read many of her books and enjoyed each one.
What format is it?
Hard cover
Thank you for having me on your blog.
Morgan
Thankyou for taking the time to take part in this Interview.
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