Q&A with Bridget Morrow, Author of “Master” and soon to be released “Alex”

Q:  When did you decide you wanted to write?

A:  I decided I wanted to write initially when I was seven years old. It seemed like such an impossible dream that I put it out of my mind. But I made a promise to myself that I’d write a book when I turned forty years old no matter what else I was doing, and that’s what I did.

Q:  How many novels in all have you written?

A:  I’ve written three novels in all. The first is “Master,” which was initially a short story, which I expanded into a novel; in fact the prologue is the short story. The second book is “Alex,” which is the sequel to “Master”. I’m not a big fan of sequels, but once I decided to do it, it almost wrote itself. The last one is called “Her”, which is a different genre altogether.

Q:  How long did it take you to write your first novel?

A:  To actually complete it and feel it was ready to let my people read it, took seven months. I don’t know if that is considered a long or a short length of time, but I knew when it was done. The characters stopped talking through me, they seemed satisfied.

Q:  Where do you get your inspiration for your stories?

A:  I get inspired from wandering around and experiencing life. It sounds like a cliché, but it’s true. I try to stay in the moment and watch people similar to a painter or sculptor, except I observe their characteristics and the things that are said or possibly not said, and I develop short stories, which usually become pieces of larger ones.

Q:  Are the characters based on real people?

A:  Usually the characters are always based on real people. A conglomeration of the characteristics of people I know or have never said a word to. It may be someone on an elevator talking to their mother or something, but I like how they put their words together or the abruptness of their speech, or the way they crack their knuckles, and I’ll use a piece of them here and there attempting to make a person that the reader will want to spend time with.

Q:  After writing your first novel did you self publish?

A:  I’d planned to because I’d heard so many horror stories about traditional publishers. But on my third attempt I was published. Since then I’ve actually started my own publishing company, No Idea Publishing, to publish my second book and my future works. I have been lucky enough to learn a lot about the publishing world.

Q:  What feedback have you received from fans?

A: The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive and enthusiastic.  I had so many requests to follow the characters that I decided to do that. So the feedback has helped me answer some questions as a writer about my characters and my writing technique.

Q:  What authors do you admire?

A:  These lists are difficult because I always leave great authors out, but, I adore (in no particular order): Audrey Niffenegger, Carson McCullers, Leo Tolstoy, Zadie Smith, Arundhati Roy, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Alice Walker, Maya Angelou, William Shakespeare, Philip Roth, Wally Lamb, Octavia Butler, James Baldwin, John Irving, Richard Wright, Tananarive Due, and of course Stephen King.

Q:  Did one of them inspire you?

A:  Absolutely, Stephen King has. Stephen King made me believe that I could write. I’m not sure how he did that, but he made me know that it was possible. That I would be able to put my words together in such a way that would paint my characters and their experiences in a unique light. And I encourage all fledgling writers to pick up his novel “On Writing,” it is invaluable.

Q:  Is writing your only passion?

A:  I have a passion for reading others works. I go through several books a month. I also love to go to museums and look at the great artists: French Impressionists (who were bold enough to change art from primarily religious based, to everyday life utilizing new approaches) Leonardo DaVinci (they can not detect brush strokes in the Mona Lisa with high powered magnifying capabilities—amazing) and world music.

Q:  Where do you see yourself in five years?

A:  Hopefully, supporting myself primarily through my writing, that would be nice but not necessary. I try to watch my tracks of desire because that can lead to unhappiness and dissatisfaction, I would be happy no matter what.

Q:  What advice would you give aspiring authors?

A:  Read a variety of writers. We are so lucky now because of the Internet we can get books from writers around the world and absorb their influences. I advise readers to explore genres you may feel you’re not interested in. And don’t get in a rut in your life; if you drive to work one way everyday try another route. Something you see, or smell may cause your creative juices to flow. And lastly, get accustomed to the process of writing by disciplining yourself; write something, at least a few pages everyday.

Q:  What would you like readers to learn from your stories?

A:  I’d like readers to learn that there is so much to experience in life and so much to learn from each other. People are such complex beings and continue to try to figure out their paths every second of every day. So I like that my characters struggle, fall and are afraid and each of them acknowledge their fears and still walk through the fear.

Q:  Are you working on another novel?  If so what is it about?

A:  I’m on the second draft of my third novel entitled, “Her”. It is about a girl surrounded by loving, supportive forces, growing up in the 70’s and 80’s with a secret both she and her father share. All of my novels so far seem to have some type of super natural spin to them and this one does as well.

Q:  Where can people purchase your books? Do you have a website?

A:  People can purchase my book “Master,” through Amazon.com or Barnes & Noble.com, my publisher’s website Publish America.com, or my website: www.bridgetmorrow.com.  The sequel, “Alex,” will be available in December and it can also be purchased through Amazon, Barnes and Noble.com and my website. The prologues of both novels as well as short stories are on my website for your enjoyment as well. Thank you for the wonderful opportunity and have a fabulous day.