Interview Teresa Morgan
by
Harley L. Sachs
1) Tell me why you write.
Though I have hazy memories of my dad reading my brother and me a story about a road-runner that ran into a cactus, I think my love of books dates from a third-grade field trip to the public library. From then on, every Saturday, I'd lug a huge stack of them home. At twelve I decided that some day, I'd write, too. At eighteen, I discovered that landlords insist on receiving their rent. I suppose that's why some brilliant soul put those two words together: 'land' and 'lord'. Serious writing waited until the time my youngest began school. I really can’t remember not making up stories in my head.
2) What's your favorite genre?
Romantic suspense, definitely. Sometimes, I wonder how I ended up writing romantic suspense novels. As a child, just covering my eyes was never enough when Timmy and Lassie were in danger. I had to make a dash for the closet.
3) Describe your writing career.
So far, I’ve written four books. The first two--SATIN AND STEEL and now A RISK WORTH TAKING--are available from Wings Press. I’m currently working on a revision of the third entitled THE GIFT. The fourth--Lingering Shadows--is also a romantic suspense. In all my books you’ll find many levels of conflict, not only between the hero and heroine, but within their other relationships as well.
4) If you're a part time writer, what do you do the rest of the time?
I’m a mom, grandmother, wife and, ironically, college student.
5) Tell me about your latest book and why you wrote it.
Frankly, I wrote A RISK WORTH TAKING because John, a supporting character in SATIN AND STEEL, wouldn’t leave me alone. My critique group insisted that John, a smart mouth eighteen-year-old deserved his own book. So, John aged six years, grew some sense and became hero material.
After creating an embarrassing international incident at last year’s World Championships, figure skater John Henderson realizes that the name he’s made for himself isn’t how he wants to be remembered. Unfortunately, no one believes a man can change. Loving Chad Matthews was Nikki Nolan's one great gamble. She lost. Now an accountant, she prefers numbers to a man's empty promises.
6) What's next on your agenda?
I’m currently working on a revision to my third book, THE GIFT. After her marriage fails, Grace Ryan arrives back in her old hometown to see her Grandmother being wheeled into an ambulance. Annie tells her she's discovered things in her late-husband's papers that shouldn't be there. When her grandmother slips away forever, Grace must search for answers.
When Annie's will is read, the family is aghast. Annie Laurie has left controlling interest of the family’s engineering firm not to Grace's father, but to Grace, the only member of the family with no interest in engineering. Instead of the peace she's sought, Grace finds herself in the middle of a nasty family battle. She can't win, and she can't walk away. Then, accidents begin to happen.
7) What are your long term plans?
That’s a difficult question. Beyond the next three books, I think I’d eventually like to write a “big” historical.
8) What's the most difficult writing task you've had?
In 1999 I was in an automobile accident, and even today I still have a lot of trouble sitting at a desk for long periods of time. I have to take frequent breaks, and that is one of the most frustrating things I’ve ever had to deal with.
9) Who is your favorite author and why?
Herman Wouk. I love how he weaves the lives and conflicts of his characters into their historical setting. Decades ago, I even took his WINDS OF WAR on my honeymoon.
10) Describe your writing discipline? e.g. do you write from midnight to four AM? Write in longhand on foolscap and then transcribe it?
I’m at my best in the morning, after three cups of coffee. Actually, the last few years I’ve found I work really well when I take the laptop to my local Barnes and Noble and plant myself in the coffee shop. No phones, no major distractions, and all the reference books I need. As much as I love the feel of pen and ink, I’m a visual person. I find it really difficult to arrange and rearrange sentences and paragraphs in my head. I have to see them in front of me, and that makes anything except a keyboard grossly inefficient.
11) What was your greatest writing success?
I’m really pleased by how I managed to transform John from a smart mouth eighteen year old into a sympathetic hero.
12) OF all you've written you probably have a favorite piece. Tell me about it.
My favorite book is usually the one I’m working on. When it isn’t, it usually means I’m in real trouble.