Friday, March 4, 2016

Guest Post: Lisa Morrow

Today, I have fellow author Lisa Morrow on the blog to chat with us a little about her process and books. I recently read Lisa's The Sea Goddess, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a quick fantasy read. Anyway, without further ado, here's Lisa!


Rosie Somers told me her readers love to hear about how authors are inspired, so that’s the topic of my blog post today.  I hope you enjoy it!

 

How does inspiration strike?  Is it like lightning?  You’re walking along and suddenly an idea hits you out of nowhere!  Maybe, some of the time, but ideas tend to come to me in a number of different ways.

1.      A Seed is Planted

a.      Someone approached me about writing a story about a female superhero.  Over the next few days, I started and stopped multiple stories before an idea formed. At the base of it, it was what the woman’s power would be, but it slowly grew.  I’d create a flawed character, who is constantly given horrible choices to make, but there’s rarely an answer that is clearly the right one. 

b.      That night, I wrote until one in the morning.  Over the next couple of weeks, I went back to the story every few days, reading and editing.  Then, I sent it to a few close friends and family, got feedback, edited it, and made changes.   Next, I submitted to my critique group and did the same.  And thus, my story was created.  (It’ll be coming out in a few months, in an anthology with other writers).

c.       This story is one of my favorites to date.  Usually, I think of a character first, and fall in love with him or her.  It creates someone who feels like a real person, but I also often have trouble being too “cruel” to my beloved character.  Starting this way, I was able to throw some truly tough curve balls, which made for an exciting and unexpected story.

2.      Changing Perspectives

a.      My series, The Protectors of Tarak, is set in a place where women are typically forced into traditional roles.  Their only escape is if they have magic and are able to become a Protector.  One night I was thinking about how different it would be to have a female character who lives in a world where she has the same freedoms as a man.  So, I focused on another part of my world, The Bloody Isles.  This place is rougher… a combination of Ireland and ancient Vikings (which is a blast), and Dessi’s series was born.

3.      Something Shiny

a.      Lately I’ve been seeing a lot of villains who are “hot.”  This always leaves a bad taste in my mouth.  I don’t want every “bad guy” to be wretched looking, but my sense of right and wrong starts pinging.  It isn’t fair, bad people shouldn’t look good… which is how the series I’m currently working on sparked to life.   I see something or notice something, and as I’m washing dishes, or going through my day, an idea starts to form.

There are plenty of ways ideas come to you, but the most important thing to do is to actually sit down and start writing when inspiration strikes.  Halfway through, you may realize… “uh, this kind of sounds like Harry Potter,” or something equally popular, and you’ll be kicking yourself for the wasted time.  Or you may realize, “ugh, this idea kind of stinks.”  But then, you’ll have other times when you start writing and realize that your idea is awesome.  And in that moment, all your hard work will be worth it.

 

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.

 

About Lisa Morrow

Lisa Morrow is a life-long reader who treasures fantasy in all forms. Being a middle child in a large family gave her a unique perspective on the world, but few experiences compare to her time spent studying abroad in Cambridge, England and wandering throughout Europe.

After her travels, Lisa settled down in Arizona to teach junior high English, and later, to spend time with her young children, husband, and cats. To some people, her life may seem quiet. But to her, every day is spent in a world colored by the imagination of children, and fantastical worlds created by her very own mind.

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/