Ask the Author: Louisa Morgan
Answered Questions (10)
Louisa Morgan
Hi, Alina! I find inspiration in the strangest places--a garden, a book I've read, a walk by the ocean, and sometimes just in silence, especially if my hands are busy, weeding or driving or folding laundry. Stories are everywhere, it seems to me. The hard part is deciding which one I want to tell. Once the story is launched is when I find out what it's really about, what drew me to it, what it is I want to say with it. It's a constant exploration!
Louisa Morgan
Oh, not my best thing . . . if I need horror, I go read Stephen King!
Louisa Morgan
Oh, such a hard question! I would probably choose Middle Earth, because I've loved Tolkien since I was a girl. And there would be elves. I love elves.
Louisa Morgan
I always have a pile! On top right now are House Lessons, by Erica Bauermeister, and The Glass Hotel, by Emily St. John Mandel. I've just finished a thriller called The Family Upstairs (brrrrr . . . scary, and terrific) and A Witch in Time, by Constance Sayers.
Louisa Morgan
I don't want to appear arrogant, but the only times in my life I've been unable to write are when I was ill, and only times when I was pretty seriously ill, as with the flu. So my thoughts about writer's block are a bit complicated.
I think, often, that a writer who can't write is working on the wrong thing. She hasn't found the subject matter or the story line that fires her imagination. Also, sometimes the writer has written herself into a corner of some kind, and the only thing to do is back out of the corner and start off in a different direction.
I do know, however, that for some people a life crisis or a tragic event can stop them writing for a time--sometimes even a long time. For me, writing has been solace at such times, but we're all different. I sympathize with anyone whose heart is breaking so that they can't put energy into story. It must be a terrible feeling.
I think, often, that a writer who can't write is working on the wrong thing. She hasn't found the subject matter or the story line that fires her imagination. Also, sometimes the writer has written herself into a corner of some kind, and the only thing to do is back out of the corner and start off in a different direction.
I do know, however, that for some people a life crisis or a tragic event can stop them writing for a time--sometimes even a long time. For me, writing has been solace at such times, but we're all different. I sympathize with anyone whose heart is breaking so that they can't put energy into story. It must be a terrible feeling.
Louisa Morgan
Writing.
Does that sound smug? I don't mean it to be. It's just that I love doing the work. Having readers, seeing my book in print, communicating with fans--that's all bonus material. I just do love writing, seeing my characters come to life, exploring settings and time periods, finding out what's going to happen . . .
Lucky, lucky me.
Does that sound smug? I don't mean it to be. It's just that I love doing the work. Having readers, seeing my book in print, communicating with fans--that's all bonus material. I just do love writing, seeing my characters come to life, exploring settings and time periods, finding out what's going to happen . . .
Lucky, lucky me.
Louisa Morgan
I have lots of advice, but first and foremost I advise them to Write. Write every day. Exercise those creative muscles. If you wait for inspiration or time or the right room to write in, the work might never happen. And when it does happen, it feels so, so good!
There's some writing advice/teaching material on my website, too, at www.louisamorgan.net.
There's some writing advice/teaching material on my website, too, at www.louisamorgan.net.
Louisa Morgan
I'm indulging myself and a bunch of lovely readers by writing a prequel to A SECRET HISTORY OF WITCHES. They asked to know more about the first Ursule, the great witch of Brittany, and that idea intrigued me so that I decided to do it. It's amazing to discover who she really was and what it was about her that made her the greatest of the Orchiere witches!
Louisa Morgan
Luckily for me, it seems built into my nature. If I go a day without writing, I start to feel this sort of itch or anxiety--and I need to get back to it. Just as when I'm reading a good book (I read a LOT) I need to know what happens next!
Louisa Morgan
This one was inspired by my passion for the Gilded Age, and my curiosity about how women who were married off, their wealth in exchange for a title in the family, had to deal with that. I always want to see women empowered, and I think the women of THE AGE OF WITCHES achieve that--well, most of them. Eventually. :-)
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more
May 25, 2020 10:53PM · flag
May 26, 2020 12:00PM · flag
Jun 12, 2020 04:31AM · flag