Best of Family & Relationships
Best of Family & Relationships
"So Many Books, So Little Time!"
Open for Submissions
Exclusive Interview with
Debra Morgan
When did you start writing?
I began writing about seven years ago. I am an advocate of several issues like recovery, mental health, and fibro and have been writing in different capacities. Some websites, magazines, and my own website. I try to help raise awareness of these issues and that has affected my life.
What makes writing your passion?
I write and share my life stories with others in the hope that my experience with sensitive topics might help someone else who may be going through what I have. Overall, I enjoy writing and the creative side of it.
How long have you been writing?
About seven years and counting...
What was the feeling when you published your first book?
There is no way to describe the feeling when your very first published book is in your hands ...I can say I was excited and the feelings of accomplishment and a goal completed are fantastic!
What’s the story behind your choice of characters?
There are no characters really in my book because it is a memoir. I guess I am the only "character"...Lol. In my books, there will be groups and those involved in the stories of my life.
What annoys you the most in pursuing a writing career?
The main thing that annoys me is that publishing companies have branched off from big to smaller companies and are charging new writers/authors thousands of dollars to publish their books. Often, you don't get everything you are promised and also paid for. I own a publishing company that published my book. In order to make certain that I am receiving what I should, I write, edit, do my cover Mock-ups, hire the people who market for me, format my book, and finish the cover.
How do you get over the “writer’s block”?
I always worried about writer's block, but now that I have gone through the writing process with my first book, I still do worry but I use and keep calm and give myself breaks even if it takes a couple of days or I'll write small notes or dictating them to myself helps. But the breaks always help me snap out of it.
We all know the writer’s path is never easy, what makes you keep going? What advice would you give to new authors?
Staying true to yourself, your ideas, and your voice. Authenticity is one of the most respected parts of writing.
If you could go back in time and talk to your younger self, what would you say?
That is a loaded question...Lol.
I would say when "bad" comes knocking at your door, don't answer as you may regret it, and the consequences of the behaviors that you may see as fun or OK, even though your gut says it's wrong.
Listen to your gut, always...
Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with the bad ones?
If you are going to be a writer you need to need to learn to have thick skin.
I am a person who doesn't read a lot of reviews when they are up until
later. I feel like I am better off not dwelling on something negative or
thinking that everything will be positive.
I feel better when I keep it simple and just be happy with my work and hope others do too. Reviews are necessary if they are good ones or bad because a reader may tell you what they want within your next book!
What is the feeling when you get a good review?
When I hear an excellent positive review, I treat it like any other in my life. I take it in and enjoy the moment.
Have you ever incorporated something that happened to you in real life into your novels?
Since I write memoirs and non-fiction, that is what I write about. So absolutely I do.
Which of your characters you can compare yourself with? Did you base that character on you?
N/A
What do you think, the book cover is as important as the story?
Most definitely as I believe the book cover should be a part of the book. It should show it matches what readers are about to read and is a part of the introduction. It needs to be attention-grabbing because it is the first thing a person will see.
Do you connect with your readers? Do you mind having a chat with them or you prefer to express yourself through your writing?
I enjoy engaging with and talking with my readers. In many cases,
since I am an advocate and belong to groups and communities based on
some of the things I write about, I enjoy talking to them and being available
if I can be.
How do you feel when people appreciate your work or recognize you in public?
LOL...Not that it has happened yet, but I would feel honored that
someone would have so much care for my work that they take time
out of their busy lives to appreciate or recognize me.
Who is your favorite author? Why?
Margaret Atwood is one. I have many that I would call my favorite, but she has a way of seeing the future in a way that has lived for decades. to write in a time when what she writes about could never happen, but it is not so far out of imagining in this and future decades.
What’s the dream? Whom would you like to be as big as?
Dianna Gabaldon. She is known for the Outlander series of novels.
Would you rewrite any of your books? Why?
Since I only have two books, I must see them when I finish them. Knowing me, I would probably put together part 2 of the next book after my full-length Memoir is released soon.
If you could switch places with any author – who would that be?
Lol, again, Diana Gabaldon.
What would you say to the “trolls” on the internet? We all know them – people who like to write awful reviews to books they’ve never read or didn’t like that much, just to annoy the author.
We all know them! People who like to write awful or hurtful book reviews of books they've never read or didn't like that much to annoy the author. I would say that everyone is entitled to an opinion, but the person on the other side does not have to accept it if it was done intentionally in a hurtful and rude manner.
What would you say to your readers?
Consider taking a chance on reading something that you don't normally read, or listening to an author's podcast or Audio Book because you would
not normally do that. It helps us all grow as people.
Share a bit about yourself – where do you live, are you married, do you have kids?
I live in Sun Lakes Arizona near Chandler. I am a proud mom of two adult children and have three adult stepchildren. On my side I myself have
seven grandchildren, 3 boys, and 4 girls, through my stepchildren I have eight grown grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
That is why I am called the "old woman in the shoe!!" LOL.
What is your day job if you have one?
Have not had one of those in a long while... I am disabled due to the diseases/illnesses that are covered in my new first book "Graceful
Agony: An Intimate Memoir of Living with Fibro & Chronic Fatigue."
What are your hobbies? What do you do in your free time?
I live a quiet life, I travel to Colorado or California when
my husband and I can. My happy place is loving and spending time with my grandchildren. I take turns having them at my house until they are too cool for that...lol. I study family genealogy it is actually relaxing for me. I do
what I can when I can to try and have a normal life beyond my disease of fibro.
Did you have a happy childhood?
I can answer with a big no. It would take another whole interview to share about my very abusive and dysfunctional upbringing. However, this topic will be within my full-length memoir titled "TRAPPED" and will be released around late 2024.
Is there a particular experience that made you start writing?
I decided that the stories of my life experiences may help other people. I was asked for years to write about them, so finally I chose to do that. They are current topics that should be addressed today.
Do you have unpublished books? What are they about?
I do have two books for this series, and then I have 3 other books based on true stories.
What do you think should be improved in the education of our children? What do we lack?
Since all my children are grown, but do have many grandchildren, our State Governors need to stop passing laws and bills banning books! History is history and even if it is negative, it needs to be taught and we all learn lessons from them. Even our children need to have a fair a balanced look at the past.
If you were allowed 3 wishes – what would they be?
Oh, my... I would wish for better health and more money to help others, and I wish I had started my (sobriety) sober life earlier. Yes, I maintain recovery from addictions, too!
What is your favorite music?
I am eclectic, I like all types of music. Music helped me during the hard times in my life.
Share a secret with us 🙂
Well, this may scare some people, but my PAST in recovery doesn't define who I am today. I was facing 20 years in prison for drug-related charges as an adult with two children.
This is called being honest, transparent, and accountable. Thank goodness for recovery and 2nd chances!