Name: Mike Morris
Book Titles: Cry Havoc, Cry Witch, He Who Fights, Switchblade Series Title: Jack Frey, Nathaniel Rane Genre: Fantasy/Sci-Fi Tell us a little about yourself? Perhaps something not many people know? I’m a Brit that’s lived all over the world – from Hong Kong, Singapore, Beijing, New York, London and now Dubai What made you want to become a writer? It’s just something I always wanted to do. I remember when I was about 12 years old, I wrote a story called The Ultra Warrior and it was published in the school magazine. It caused an outcry with some of the parents because it was quite violent. Million dollar question, are you working on another book? I’m just finishing up Book 2 in the Jack Frey series, CRY FEAR. The plan is to have it out end of February. I also have a secret project that I’m very excited about. Have you written any other books that are not published? A Jack Frey novella, CRY WITCH, is being published on 22nd January. It’s a short, action-packed adventure with all the good stuff like swords, guns, magic and bad odds for our hero. And a witch. What do you think about the ebook revolution? I think it’s amazing and it’s giving so many good new authors opportunities that they’d not normally have. I never really considered self-publishing until I heard an interview with Mark Dawson on a podcast called The Bestseller Experiment. It really opened my eyes to a whole new world. What is your advice to indie authors? On writing? Marketing? The only advice I have is to go for it. You have nothing to lose except time (and how much bad TV do you need to watch? Write a book instead!) Do you still write? If so, what does your typical day look like? I write every day – between 1500-3000 words. If I’m at home alone I can be very disciplined but if the kids are around, I write in stolen moments or when the youngest has her afternoon nap. Pen or type writer or computer? Computer using Scrivener but I keep notebooks full of ideas and drawings and inspiration. If I get stuck, I always take a break and go to the notebooks to work out the problem. Do you write alone or in public? Alone. I have an office at home. I like having my favourite things around me. I have an army of superhero statues scattered over my bookshelves and framed comic book art on my walls. I find public places too distracting. Music or silence? Music absolutely. I make specific playlists for each novel. I only listen to soundtracks as words disturb me. Except one book was written almost exclusively to The Joshua Tree by U2. For some reason Bono didn’t interfere with my thoughts. Goals of certain # of words a week or when inspiration strikes I work. Inspiration has to turn up. The muse works for me, not the other way around! What tactics do you have when writing? (For example: outline or just write) I’m outlining more. My first book took 2 ½ years to write as I was making up as I went along. I probably scrapped at least another novel’s worth of material in the process. Now I need to know where I’m going. My plans aren’t super-detailed and I still get led astray though. What has your experience been like as an new Indie Author? Bruises, Highlights, and lessons? It’s just been an exciting adventure that’s taken me by surprise. No real bruises because I’ve been very lucky. The success of Cry Havoc is just incredible. I’m thrilled by the audio book production and every review I’m super grateful for. What is/are your book(s) about? Action, adventure, good guys, bad guys, swords, monsters — all the great stuff Do your characters seem to hijack the story or do you feel like you have the reigns of the story? All the time. And I love it when that happens. It means you’ve got a character with depth and personality. If you could spend time a character from your book whom would it be? And what would you do during that day? (PG-13 please :) ONE OF MY FAVORITE QUESTIONS TO ASK. Tough question as my characters live in dark worlds and I’d be scared stiff in the situations they deal with. However if I had to pick one, I’d pick Lin from Cry Havoc. She was raised a slave, ruled by flesh-eating demons, but managed to escape. She’s tough, resourceful but still has a sense of optimism despite everything that’s happened to her. And she doesn’t put up with any nonsense from anyone. What is the toughest criticism given to you as an author? I still remember my first 1 star review. It was a kick in the gut! What has been the best compliment? People buying my books is the greatest compliment. I’m flattered that anyone spends their hard-earned money on my novels. What book that you have read has most influenced your life? The Painted Man by Peter V. Brett. I love that book and the series. Who is your favorite author? Joe Abercrombie and Peter V. Brett Tell us a little about your plans for the future. Where do you see yourself as a writer in five years? I’ve got lots planned. My biggest concern is getting it all done. The Jack Frey series is going to be five books (not including novellas). The Nathaniel Rane books are designed to be a series of stand-alones and I’ll keep writing those as long as people want to read about him. The Secret Project is a minimum of three books. Hopefully in five years I’ll be looking back at a good body of work worrying about how I’m going to get the next lot of ideas written! Where can we find you online? www.mikemorrisauthor.com Any website or resources that have been helpful to you as a writer? The book that changed my writing life is Into The Woods by John Yorke. Every writer should read it. Also I owe a big thanks to the two Marks at The Bestseller Experiment podcast. If not for that show, the last year would’ve been very different for me. If you could have been the author of any book ever written, which book would you choose? Game of Thrones or Harry Potter – I’d like their success! Do you consider yourself to be a successful writer? If so, why? If not, what would make you successful? Definitely not. You should have milestones you want to reach and then, once you do, move them forward again. I was excited selling one book, then two. Now my goals are very ambitious. If I achieve them, I’ll move onto the next target. Amazon Author Page Link: https://www.amazon.com/Mike-Morris/e/B06W56V52L/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1515777976&sr=8-1 Twitter Handle: @scifimikemorris Facebook Page Link: @scifimikemorris Check out Mike's work on Amazon!!!
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