Morgan,
welcome to Writers on Reading! Your books look like fantastic adventures! Your
most recent novel, Heir of Hope, the third book in your critically
acclaimed Follower of the Word series released just over a month ago (April 21,
2015). You mentioned loving to read, particularly fantasy and historical
books—no surprise there. I can see both of those suit your themes!
But this leaves me curious, do you read during the months you spend writing a
book, or as a fantasy writer, does venturing into other books draw you too
deeply out of your world, into other realms? If you do read while you’re
crafting a novel, do you find it more fun/less distracting to read other
genres? What did you read while working on this book?
Hi
Deirdre, first, thank you for inviting me here. Yes, I love to read! However,
when I am working on a novel, I don’t read in my genre. I find that I start
comparing my book with the one I am reading, and that doesn’t help me at all.
So I usually read something besides fantasy. While writing Heir of Hope, I read FiveDays in Skye by Carla Laureano, a contemporary romance, and Born of Persuasion by Jessica Dotta, a
gothic regency novel. Both quite different from the epic fantasy I was working on!
Yes, quiet different! Which leads me
to my next question: what was the most out-of-character book you’ve recently
read and what led to your choice?
Five Days in Skye by Carla Laureano. I read the first book in
her fantasy series, Oath of the Brotherhood,
and saw she had also written a contemporary romance. I confess the only reason
I initially picked it up was because she wrote it and it took place in Scotland
(one of the many places I hope to visit someday). It was fantastic! I could
see, smell, and feel Scotland! And the characters were great too. So, now I can
say I’ve read a contemporary romance.
Hah, that’s fun.
As a writer, you should know better,
but as a reader, you know we all do it…so, when did you last “judge a book by
the cover”? How did that work out?
Ok, I have
judged before. I was given A Star Curiously Singing by Kerry Nietz to read for review, and the cover did not
capture me. (Another confession, most science fiction covers don’t. That’s just
me). But the story inside blew me away. It’s about our world in a not-too-distant
future where Islam is the dominant religion of the world. Sandfly is a servant
to one of the houses and is sent up to a space station to fix a robot that has gone
crazy. There he discovers that all of creation sings for the creator. I don’t
want to give away more than that. I highly recommend this novel and consider it
one of my favorite science fiction titles.
Wow.
Sounds like a really good book. So, what was the last book you absolutely
couldn't put down? Why?
Jane Eyre.
I read it when I was a teenager and didn’t think much of it. Then I came back
to it and found so many things I could relate to. I resonated with the struggle
Jane had between her following her heart and her faith. I think I enjoyed Jane Eyre
more as an adult, because I have experienced more now than I had as a teen.
Did
a book recently make you laugh/cry/shiver?
Is it
cheating to say my own? I once read that if you the author are not moved by
your own story, then the reader will not be moved either. I cried during a
couple of the scenes in Heir of Hope.
Readers have contacted me and said the same scenes moved them.
The last few
books that made me laugh were Rick Riordan’s The Heroes of Olympus. Along with reading adult fiction, I try to
keep up with what my kids are reading, partly so I know what they are reading
and so we can talk about what they read. Rick really captures the teen spirit
in his books, and their humor. As someone who has worked with youth for many
years, I enjoy his humor and usually find myself chuckling through his books.
Were
you the kind of kid/teen who loved reading? Which novel do you first remember
reading?
Oh yes! I
always had my nose stuck in a book and broke the record at my elementary school
for the most books read in one year. I read everything I could get my hands on
(even encyclopedias). I read all the Black Stallion books, Nancy Drew, Lord of
the Rings, and anything else I could find. I volunteered at my school library,
which gave me access to even more books! Apparently, reading is in my genes,
because you can find my kids lounging on couches or on their beds with a book
or a Kindle in hand most days.
What is on your to-read list?
Looks like you’ve got
some great reading ahead of you this summer! I know what you mean by the
to-read list growing—mine grows more rapidly with every interview! Eeks!
Thanks for visiting,
Morgan. I greatly enjoyed getting to know more about you as a reader, and I bet
everyone else did to. Folks, you can continue to connect with Morgan Busse, and
find out more about her books and upcoming releases, at the following links.
And, guess what, folks? Angie Brashear has generously offered a Kindle copy of Of The Persecuted to accompany my blog launch giveaways. So leave a comment for Morgan and have a chance to win the next book on her reading list. I'll be doing the drawing on June 14, check out my upcoming post for details. Make sure you're entered and you can read Of The Persecuted right alongside Morgan!
Morgan L. Busse
writes fantasy for the adult market. She is the author of the Follower of the Word series, including Daughter of Light, Christy and Carol Award finalist. Morgan lives
on the West Coast with her husband and four children. You can find out more
about Morgan at www.morganlbusse.com
Earlier today I posted a great interview of Morgan Busse. Next on the
critically acclaimed author’s reading list is AngieBrashear’s Of The Persecuted. For my blog launch, Angie generously offered one Kindle copy of her fantastic fantasy, which has received honorable
mention, won the clash of the titles, and made it to the finals for a few other coveted awards itself:
