Welcome R.L. Morgan – today’s word describes Robin’s character Mary. She has to be quick witted to survive. Agile – definition: 1) able to move quickly and easily : nimble; 2) mentally quick
Of the characters you have created or envisioned, which is your favorite & why?
Mary Elizabeth Williams is a young girl who’s just beginning to learn about boys. She’s rather plain looking, and resents to some extent the way the boys in her class treat her, using her brains to help them to better so they can stay on the various sport teams the school has. A new boy, Jonathan, joins her class and begins to treat her the way she has always wanted to be, for liking her for being the person that she is. The relationship is short-lived because her father gets a promotion which meant she has to move away at the end of the school year. Just before she does she decides to give him a kiss at the mall, away from all the prying eyes of their friends.
At her new school things return to the way they used to before she met Jonathan. This time, in addition, everyone at school tease her continuously about her house being haunted. The thing is, it is haunted by a ghost named George, who she can see and who treats her, the way Jonathan did. George takes Mary on trips to the past and even does her homework.
The thing I like most about Mary is that, she’s never downtrodden by the way she’s gets treated by everyone at school.
Do you favor one type of genre or do you dabble in more than one?
Right now I’m staying in the broad genre of romance. For 11 years, from 1995 – 2006 I wrote almost weekly commentary type items for a community newspaper, which I loved doing; and along the way I started to slowly write a Contemporary romance manuscript. However I never sensed it would be good enough to bw published. One day someone suggested I write something for a younger audience, which I did and wound up with my debut YA Paranormal/Time Travel/First Kiss romance novel in less than a year.
Right now I’ve returned to writing the romance manuscript which I’d started many years ago.
What do you enjoy most about writing?
Being retired, writing gives me as well as my creativity something to do, and I hope this will lead to an actual second career as being an author.
Have you got a favorite place to write?
Although we don’t have any children; we do have a second bedroom where I do all of my writing. I also do my marketing/promoting of my book and social interaction there as well.
Do you plan your stories, or are you a seat of the pants style writer?
I love this question, as it allows the reader to get somewhat in the mind of the author being interviewed. As for myself, I’d probably say a little of both, part plotter/part pantser. As I said in, the above, I made a skeleton of an outside, writing down the basic plot points I’d like to hit as the story unfolded; and as a sculptor starting with a wire base of what they’d like to have, I added material then took some away, until I had the finished product I had in mind.
What inspires your stories?
Honestly, I would have to say it just pure imagination. As I wrote my novel I kept putting myself into the character of Mary. I wrote I what would do or say next had I been in her shoes.
What are you currently reading?
I seldom get a chance to read. I worked for 33 years with the same employer and had to commute about an hour each way. Now, being retired I’m busy with my writing and marketing/promoting my debut novel. When I have the time I like to read poignant memoirs, such as the last one I read, “And The Whippoorwill Sang” by Micki Peluso.
Do you have any odd habits or childhood stories?
Relatively speaking I would have to say no as odd habits are concerned. And as far as childhood stories are concerned, what child my age didn’t love reading those crazy rhyming stories by Dr. Seuss.
Do you have any pets?
We’ve got two cats as they don’t allow any dogs, except service dogs, where we live.
Do you belong to a writing group? If so which one?
Unfortunately I don’t. It would be wonderful to have someone critique what I’ve written as I write it.
What age did you start writing stories/poems?
I’ve only started writing in June 1995, when I was in my fourties. The items were commentaries as I’ve already stated for a community newspaper. But that was non-fiction, writing the novel I’ve recently published has been a new learning experiences; learning all the “rules” one needs to know to become good at it.
Do you have a book published? If so what is it called & where can readers purchase it?
My debut YA Paranormal/Time Travel/First Kiss romance novel entitled, “I Kissed a Ghost” got released on December 20, 2012.
My book is available on Amazon at: http://www.amazon.com/Kissed-Ghost-Robin-Leigh-Morgan/dp/1480030031 It is also available on Amazon.co.uk Amazon.de Amazon.es Amazon.fr Amazon.it
How did you come up with the title for your book?
Selecting a title for a book had been a very challenging experience for me; but after racking my brain over it, I decided to merely summarize the premise for the entire story in as few words as possible until I had something which could be used as the title for my book. Hence, since the story is about a girl [Mary] and her kissing the ghost [George] she had living in her house; the story had to be called, “I Kissed a Ghost.”
If you could meet one favorite author who would it be and why?
I would have to say it would be J.K. Rowling, because I admired where she started from, and what she’s accomplished with her series of Harry Potter books. Oh, how wonderful it would be if each of us authors could be only 1% as successful.
If you could live anywhere in the world – where would it be?
It would definitely be Bermuda. I’ve cruised there three times and simply adore the people there as well as the climate.
What’s your favorite movie of all time?
That is a very difficult question to answer as they’re so many. However, I never seem to get tired watching any of the movies by Mel Brooks.
Where can readers find you and your blog?
http://www.mypennameonly.blogspot.com or
http://www.mypennameonly.wordpress.com or
http://www.mypennameonly.webs.com [this is also my website]
http://www.mypennameonly.tumblr.com
[Readers can find several UNEDITED SNIPPETS from “I Kissed a Ghost” in any of all above blog sites under the category of “GHOSTLY WHISPERS”
Where else can people find you?
I can also be found on:
TWITTER = http://www.twitter.com/mypennameonly
FACEBOOK = http://www.facebook.com/mypennameonly
GOODREADS = http://www.goodreads.com/RobinLeighMorgan
Do you have plans or ideas for your next book?
I’ve returned to writing the still untitled adult Contemporary romance novel I’d started many years. The story also has a paranormal element running through the storyline.
Who is your best supporter/mentor/encourager?
As I’m relatively a private person when it comes to my writing I unfortunately have none.
What is your greatest ambition in writing?
Being able to make the NY Times best sellers listing, once in my life.
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