Bandit Creek Author Interview: Kymber Morgan

Welcome to The Wormhole!

It is my pleasure to interview Kymber Morgan.

She is a Bandit Creek Author - - - check out her and 

so many other great authors at Bandit Creek Books

? When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

About six years ago I traced my family genealogy to the Clan Macleod and discovered the legend of the Faery Flag. The very boiled down version of which says it was a gift to a long ago MacLeod Chieftain by a faery maiden who, after falling in love and bearing him a child, had to return to her own world. Already a fan of romance and paranormal stories I was hooked.

According to the legend the talisman can be called upon three times to protect the clan. So far it's been called upon twice during times of war, one of which was WWII, and not a single MacLeod son fell in battle either time. It hangs in a place of honor at Dunvegan Castle on the Isle of Skye today.

The connection between the legend and the picture of present day flag I saw on-line, got me wondering what it would be like if the myths and legends we grew up with were actually true?

From there many hours of happy research resulted in an alternate history and origin for the various pantheons and led to my first book.

? How many jobs did you have before you became a writer?

Ha ha, wow, too many. Let’s see, I’ve been a bartender, a legal secretary, a mortgage broker, an office manager and most recently a kitchen designer in a company I co-owned with my hubby.

? How long does it take you to write a book?

Depends how you define a book. First drafts for me are relatively quick. I’ve been known to write 130,000 words in 6 weeks. The polished version however, usually takes twice as long. I often have a lot of cutting to do LOL.

? What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk?

Hmm, that’s a hard one. What some call quirky, others find perfectly normal. For instance, wearing a specific pair of fuzzy slippers, my husband or son’s confiscated jogging pants and an over-sized sweater (with a stash of chocolate on hand at all times) during my writing sessions may be quirky to some, but seems perfectly normal to me.

? Do you have a routine that you use to get into the right frame of mind to write?

Yup, after I don the above mentioned fashion accessories and check the prerequisite chocolate supply I do the following:

·         Close the door to my little writing haven.

·         Turn off the phone.

·         Plant my butt in the chair.

·         Put my fingers on the keyboard.

·         And write.

What comes out may be ‘gobbeldee-gook’ at first, and I may have to toss the much of it out the next day, but I look at it like a runner stretching before jogging - it's a warm up. And let's face it, you can’t do anything with a blank page, you have to start somewhere.

? Where do you get your ideas or inspiration for your characters?

I like to start with the more obscure mythological characters and re-invent them in unexpected ways. Or sometimes it can be a line from a movie or song that creates a certain picture in my head. There have also been times when a unique personality trait from someone I know now, or remember from childhood, provides a good starting point.

My favorite though are the characters who show up on the page out of nowhere and insert themselves into the story. In spite of their tendency to misbehave and steal scenes, I love these guys because I rarely know what they’ll do or say next. They're a blast and it's not unusual for me to break out laughing at their antics.

? How do you decide what you want to write about?

I don’t really have any set formula or method for this as it usually starts with a character idea first. Next, I start asking all kinds of 'what if' questions about situations I might put the character in and try to find unique ways to answer them. Eventually, something pops out as an ‘ah-ha’ kind of thing. Then I simply go along for the ride.

? What books have most influenced your life?

For me it’s more about genre than any specific book. Growing up in a single parent home, there wasn’t often a lot of spare money around, so when my friends were going to movies or on destination holidays with their families, I was sticking my nose in a book. When I was younger, reading allowed me to travel places even my more affluent friends couldn’t go and let my imagination run wild – much to a lot of my teachers chagrin.

Later, it was a romance novel that inspired me to take a page out of the plucky little heroine’s book – literally – and step out of my comfort zone. It inspired me to take a chance on a personal relationship I would likely have missed out on otherwise. The man I took the chance on has been my husband for eighteen years and I love him more today than the day I married him.

? What is the first book you remember reading by yourself?

The Lord of the Rings at age 8. I never have done anything the easy way. Well, to be honest, it did take about 6 months for me to finish it that first time LOL.

? What are you reading right now?

Currently I’m reading both Victoria Alexander’s The Perfect Mistress, and have Roxy Borough’s A Stranger’s Kiss from the Bandit Creek series on the go too.

? What do you like to do when you are not writing?

Read.

Oh, and I also love camping/RVing. Indulging in the occasional ‘movie fest’ on the couch. Hanging with my writer pals and sharing a good meal and a few giggles with my family & friends - particularly off the Bar-B-Que cause then my hubby had to do the cooking LOL.

? What is your favorite comfort food?

Steak and lobster. What? Isn’t it everybody’s? Okay next to that I would have to say lasagna with extra cheese and garlic bread.

? What do you think makes a good story?

No matter what genre, for me, flawed but likable protagonists pitted against antagonists who feel justified in their actions are key. This helps the reader connect with both sides of the conflict. Their journey should be full of escalating twists and unexpected turns told naturally in the author's unique voice.

There should be no subplots threads left hanging, and any built up tension needs it's pay off – no cheating the reader at the last second. And finally the story needs to end with a satisfying resolution to each conflict presented that isn’t rushed or contrived and hopefully leaves me wanting more.

? Who would you consider your favorite author and why?

Honestly, even though it may seem like I’m dodging this question, I can’t name any one author as a favorite over another. My recreational reading tastes vary a lot and depend a great deal on my current mood.

I love the suspense and clever plotting of people like Dan Brown, the fun, fast passed romps provided by great imaginations like Kerrelyn Sparks, Sherrilynn Kenyon, Gena Showalter or Lyndsay Sands. Then there's the wit and charm of a yarn by Victoria Alexander or Sabrina Jefferies if I’m in the mood for a historical. And you can’t beat the unique fantasy worlds of a Robin Hobb, Anne Bishop or Terry Goodkind.

Oh! Then there’s my RWA home chapter which is bursting with awesomesauce writers like Vivi Anna, DL Snow, Steena Holmes, Jade Buchanan, and Roxy Boroughs - just to name a few - who never fail to provide a great read…

See, can’t do it.

? What book, if any, do you read over and over again?

With me it’s more about an author rather than any specific book. If I love a particular author’s voice I’ll re-read anything I have on my keeper shelf by them. See list from previous question.

Fun random questions: 

·        dogs or cats?

Oh, tough one. I'd have to say both.

·        Coffee or tea?

Coffee.

·        Dark or milk chocolate?

Dark. Well, maybe milk? Oh, then there's white...no, it's dark. Yes definitely dark. Maybe.

·        Rocks or flowers?

Rocks. Flowers don't retain their color or withstand Canadian winters nearly as well.

·        Night or day?

Night. I am a paranormal writer after all.

·        Favorite color?

Purple.

·        Crayons or markers?

Markers. The colors are so much more vibrant.

·        Pens or pencils?

Pens – especially the new easy flow ink ones they're so effortless to use and come in lots of cool colors – like purple!

***More about the author (from profile on Amazon.com)

Kymber Morgan lives in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains and grew up with her own link to mythology through a family legend involving the Fae. Kymber writes paranormal romance and loves nothing better than taking her imagination out for a spin often asking, among other things, what if the myths and legends we grew up on were real?
Come join the fun at www.kymbermorgan.com, follow her on twitter @kymbermorgan or check out her author page www.facebook.com/KymberMorganAuthor, because you just never know who else may be dropping by.

...and now - check out the cover and blurb!

Shafted (Paranormal) – February 1, 2012

Is her love real or just a myth?

Returning to her summertime home of Bandit Creek, Callie Jamison discovers there’s a lot more involved to her grandmother’s legacy than a few cabins and some land, including a curse. The last thing she needs now is to fall in love.

Anteros, dark twin of Eros, is responsible for avenging unrequited love, a job that’s been a lot harder since his brother succumbed to ambro-fever and has been running amok shooting all the wrong people – including Anteros.

The clock is ticking, not only on his immortality and Callie’s free will, but their hearts as well. Soon they’ll each have to decide if the overwhelming attraction they feel is the real deal or if they’ve simply been ‘Shafted’ and it’s all a cruel illusion.

Read the first chapter here.

You can buy a copy of this book by clicking HERE.

Thanks for stopping by The Wormhole.

Happy Reading.