AUTHOR INTERVIEW - MORGAN HANNAH MACDONALD

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   

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/MorganHannahMacDonald.Author

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!

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*

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.

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.

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.