Morgan L. Busse's Blog, page 10

Interview with Relz Reviewz and a Mention in USAToday

So a lot happened this week in my little writing world. First, I was asked a couple weeks ago if I would do an interview with Relz Reviewz. Of course I said yes :) That interview went live this week, so head on over to their site to check out my latest interview (which includes little tidbits like if I could go back in time, where would I go?):  relzreviewz.com/morgan-l-busse-discover-more/

Secondly, Heir of Hope was mentioned over at USAToday’s Happy Ever after as one of “must-read romantic fantasies.” Wow! And to be listed with authors like Jessica Evanders and Mary Weber made it even sweeter! To check out the post, click here: www.usatoday.com/story/happyeverafter

When you’re a writer, you have your good weeks and your not-so-good weeks (those that require lots of chocolate to get through). This was a great week! I thank God for these bits of encouragement to keep on going :)

The Story Behind Heir of Hope

This week I am a guest over at Behind the Scenes. I share the real story behind Heir of Hope: the darkness I went through and how I channeled that into the final book in the Follower of the Word series. It is my hope that others find encouragement, and that in the darkest times of life there is light.

Here is the link to the article: www.castlegatepress.com

Rooglewood’s Third Fairytale Writing Contest

I am excited to let you all know about this writing contest! Love fairytales? Ever wanted to write a story based on one? Then check out Rooglewood’s writing contest!

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Rooglewood Press is delighted to introduce their third fairy tale novella contest—

Five Magic Spindles, a collection of “Sleeping Beauty” stories

The challenge is to write a retelling of the beloved fairy tale in any genre or setting you like. Make certain your story is recognizably “Sleeping Beauty,” but have fun with it as well. Make it yours!

Rooglewood Press will be selecting five winners to be published in the Five Magic Spindles collection, which will be packaged up with the phenomenal cover you see here. Maybe your name will be one of the five listed?

All the contest rules and information (how to enter, story details, deadline etc.) may be found on the Rooglewood Press website. Just click HERE and you will go right to the page.

Rooglewood Press’s first collection, Five Glass Slippers is available for purchase, and our second collection, Five Enchanted Roses is scheduled to launch on July 27, and is currently available for pre-order. Be certain to get a copy of each and see what previous winners did with their wonderful retellings.

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And now for the cover for this new collection!

Cover Illustration Credit:

This cover illustration was rendered by Julia Popova, “ForestGirl.” You can find out more about this gifted artist on her website: www.forestgirl.ru

Painfully Shy

For as long as I can remember, I have always been scared of people. One of my first memories is busting into tears when my mom asked me to go ask the cashier a question. I couldn’t do it! Talking to a person—any person—terrified me. I never grew out of this fear. Every time school started, whether I was starting a new school or returning to an old one, I would feel sick as I walked into class. For the longest time I never played sports or joined clubs because of this fear.

However, as I grew older, I grew more adapt at hiding my fear. My mother taught me to always have a list of questions ready to ask people so I wouldn’t feel trapped in those awkward pauses. I would hide in the bathroom and calm down before coming out with a confident smile on my face. And if things became too much, I could go hide in the corner, or better yet—go home.

In college I discovered I was an introvert which means I gain energy from being alone, but lose energy around people. Great! There are people like me! Until one day I asked my husband if he felt like throwing up every time he met someone new. He gave me the strangest look and said no. Wait, I thought everyone felt nervous when meeting new people (or needed a barf bag). There were actually people out there who didn’t feel this fear?

The more I asked this question, the more I realized that even most introverts are not shy, they simply cannot be around people for a long time since it drains their energy reserves. I, on the other hand, not only have my energy drained, I’m petrified when I’m around people.

A double whammy. Introvert and shy. And no matter what I do, both of these traits are built into my DNA. I cannot change either characteristic, they are part of my core being.

Because of that, I’m still shy. I shared a couple years ago when I attended my first American Christian Fiction Writers conference I took the elevator down, saw all the people, and took the elevator right back up to my room and hid for an hour. Even last week as I was driving to my book release party, I felt ill and wanted nothing more than to hide in the bathroom. Instead, I prayed and got out of my car. Admittedly, it took me about ten minutes before I felt comfortable walking around the room and greeting people.

I write this because there are others out there like me, although we have never met because we were most likely hiding in our hotel rooms or bathroom ;). I decided I would not let my shyness cripple my life. Every time I am afraid to meet someone or take a chance (like teaching a class), I consider what I would regret if I didn’t do it. My desire more often outweighs my fear. It’s like jumping off the high dive, you don’t spend a lot of time thinking about it or you will convince yourself it’s not worth it, when it is. Instead, you jump.

So if you meet me at a conference, party, or even church and I have a green tint to my face, it’s not you, it’s just me fighting my shyness. Give me a moment and I’ll be ready to talk :). And if you are shy, take the plunge (and have your barf bag ready!).

My Mother Prepared Me for the Zombie Apocalypse

As you know, today is Mother’s Day. Everywhere I look, people are talking about how special their mom is and what she has done for them. I wanted to take it up a notch. What makes my mother so special? Then it hit me: she gave me the skills to survive a zombie apocalypse.

For as long as I can remember, we were always in the kitchen cooking with mom. Considering she is a home economics teacher, previous restaurant owner, and award-winning cook, that’s not a surprise. She taught me to cook anything and everything. And if I didn’t know how to cook something, to look it up. How many people know how to cook? Or to improvise in their cooking? Yeah, that skill will keep me alive should the zombie apocalypse occur.

I also know how to sew. Not very well, mind you, but I can sew a seam and know the basics, all thanks to my mom. She tried to teach me more, but I was never destined to be a seamstress. However, if the zombie apocalypse lingers, I will be able to make my own clothing and blankets. I will be surviving in style! Or at least clothed ;)

My mother taught me to share everything I have, whether I have plenty or little. We always had room at the table for a guest and floorspace when someone needed a place to stay. I would practice that same hospitality during the zombie apocalypse. Mi casa es su casa. Or would that be mountain fortress?

My mother also taught me to make friends. I was a shy, introverted little girl who was afraid of everyone. She showed me how to make friends, how to ask people about themselves instead of thinking about myself, and always have a list of questions ready so the conversation would keep going (this list has saved me many times from those awkward pauses that send me into a panic attack!). Who knows, maybe the whole apocalypse occurs because of a misunderstanding with the zombies? Maybe they just want to be friends ;)

On a serious note, my mother taught me many, many things that I take for granted everyday. She prepared me for life and then let me go. That is what a mother does: she gives you wings, but she doesn’t fly for you. Instead, she cheers you on as you hop out of the nest and soar into the world. Thank you, mom. You are one of the people God used to prepare me for life and you did a great job. I hope I can do the same for my own children.

Happy Mother’s Day!

To All of Those Who Have Helped Me on My Writing Journey

I never had a chance to write an acknowledgement page for the Follower of the Word series. For those of you who don’t know what that is, it is the last couple pages at the end of the book where the author thanks those who helped her write the book. I have had many people help me since the moment I wrote that first chapter for Daughter of Light and decided to do my own acknowledgement page here on my blog. So without further ado, here are the amazing people who have been a part of my writing journey:

First, my husband Dan. If you have read any of my interviews, his name comes up because he is my biggest supporter and cheerleader! He was the first one who encouraged me to write and believed in me. He provides time for me to write, a computer to write on (I’ll have to write about the day he came home with a laptop to surprise me), he takes care of the kids and house when I’m on a deadline, and those times when I have wanted to give up, he has talked me out of tossing my computer out the window. I am so thankful for such a wonderful, supportive husband!

Jeff Gerke. He saw something worthwhile in Daughter of Light and took a chance on me. Over the course of editing Daughter of Light and Son of Truth I learned so much from him. He’s a great editor who knows how push you to your limit without breaking your spirit. He does freelance and I highly recommend him! You can find him at http://www.jeffgerke.com/

My fellow authors at Enclave Publishing (formerly Marcher Lord Press). I don’t know what it’s like at other publishing houses, but here at Enclave we are a close knit group. We share ideas, encourage each other, help each other, and cheer each other on. I am so thankful to be a part of this amazing group of people.

My critique partners and beta readers: Ralene Burke and Jill Fortriede. You both get me and my writing, and help make it even better. Ralene is also a freelance editor and good at what she does. You can find out more about her at www.raleneburke.com

My proofreader: Julie Thiry. Thank you for seeing what I don’t see.

Steven Laube. When Marcher Lord Press was bought out, I wasn’t sure where I would end up. Instead, I found another person willing to take a chance on my work.

Karen Ball. Karen brought a different kind of editing to my work when she edited my third book, Heir of Hope. She is an amazing editor and helped me hone what I had already learned under Jeff. I am very thankful I was able to work with her.

My readers. A writer writes because they have something to say, but they also hope to find readers who resonate with what they write. I have found that in a special group of people who are both my readers and friends. I write my heart and soul into a book and when one of my readers writes back and tells me how my story impacted them, that makes all the sweat, tears, and time worth it. I don’t know what I would do without all of you! You charge on ahead, sharing posts, reviews, and your love for my series. That is something I cannot do as the author and I thank you for sharing on my behalf.

Lastly, but most importantly, God. Without Him, I would not be where I am today. I have been down some really dark roads, ones that would have led to certain destruction if God had not been at my side. Through my brokenness, God poured a story through my heart, a story that I have turned back toward God in worship. If you have been touched the words in my books, then you have been touched by my love for God.

There are many more people who have helped me over the years: people from conferences, other writers, teachers, and family members, and to each I thank you. A writer is not a hermit who writes alone in some dark office or cabin in the woods, emerging with an amazing story after a period of time. No, a writer is a human being who needs others to help bring forth her story and share it with the world. And for all of you who helped me bring forth mine, thank you.

Heir of Hope Book Tour

Guess what today is? Yep! The official release of Heir of Hope. A couple websites have joined up with mine to celebrate the launch of the last and final book in the Follower of the Word series and many of them are giving away books!

Excited? So am I! So without further ado, here are the websites and what they are featuring, along with a link. Enjoy your tour :)

First up is Emily Anne Kopf with an interview yours truly. Find out how I started my writing journey and who has been my inspiration: http://zerinablossom.blogspot.com

Next we have Worthy2Read up with her review of Heir of Hope: https://worthy2read.wordpress.com/

Fellow fantasy author Angie Brashear is doing a giveaway on her website. Just answer her question in the comment section of her post (who is your favorite Follower of the Word character?) for a chance to win an EBOOK COPY of Heir of Hope! http://angiebrashear.com

Laura Pol over at Crafty Booksheeps does a character spotlight on Caleb Tala, the former assassin from the Follower of the Word series. Find out what his most treasured possession is and enter her giveaway for a SIGNED COPY of Heir of Hope! http://craftybooksheeps.blogspot.com

Janeen Ippolito is doing a 3-day tour of the locations found in the Follower of the Word series. Leave a comment on each post for another chance to win a SIGNED COPY of Heir of Hope!  http://janeenippolito.com

Ralene Burke has a tongue-in-cheek interview with Caleb Tala (he keeps coming up, doesn’t he?) over on her website. Check it out! http://www.raleneburke.com

And lastly, if you have never read the Follower of the Word series, Jason Joyner shares his review of Heir of Hope and if you leave a comment, you can be entered to win a COPY of Daughter of Light, the first book in this series. http://www.jasoncjoyner.com

To wrap up the celebrations, there will be a Facebook party tonight (5pm pacific). There will be laughs, conversation, and book giveaways. You don’t want to miss out on this! To sign up for the event, click here: https://www.facebook.com/events

Trivia Facts about the Follower of the Word series

As the release date for Heir of Hope approaches, the final book in the Follower of the Word series, I thought it might be fun to share some of the more interesting facts behind the characters, the setting, and the plot. Enjoy!

*I started writing this series almost exactly eleven years ago. Wow!

*Daughter of Light was originally supposed to be a stand-alone novel. About halfway through the first draft, I realize there was a lot more to the story.

*I completely rewrote Daughter of Light four times (and that doesn’t include the two rewrites during the official editing process).

*Many of the places in the Follower of the Word series are based on real places I have visited including the Oregon Coast, the Rocky Mountains, and the Mojave Desert.

*When I could, I would explore a place to write a scene accurately. For example, for the scene outside Avonai in Daughter of Light at night I went for a walk on the beach in order to see what it would look like, sound like, smell like, feel like, especially to see how well a person could see during a full moon on the beach. Verdict? You can actually see pretty well :)

*Nierne, one of the main characters, originally came from a group of islands to the west. Somewhere I found the name Nierne and it meant “western islands”. Since then, I have never been able to find her name again online and she ended up in the Thyrian Monastery instead.

*Knowing the ending to my books is very important to me before I start writing. However, when I discovered Daughter of Light would be more than one book, I had no idea how I would end the series. Two years later, at a Women of Faith conference, I was sitting in an arena filled with thousands of women and I suddenly saw the ending. I grabbed a napkin (the only thing I could find) and started jotting down the ending that would eventually become Heir of Hope.

*When Daughter of Light was originally published, there was no series name. When Son of Truth came out, we decided we needed a name for this series. I had earmarked Follower of the Word for the title for the last book, but we decided it made a good series title instead. So that left me to figure out a name for the last book. I realized the main theme for the last book was hope, and Rowen carries the hope of both her people and mankind, and thus Heir of Hope was born.

*The cover for Heir of Hope is based on a scene from the story.

It’s been quite a journey and hard to believe it is almost finished (at least for me). I hope to someday revisit this world, perhaps in the form of a novella that might extend Caleb’s story, or another series that takes a look at the Nordic Wars, an world-altering event that precedes the Follower of the Word series.

Heir of Hope releases April 21st. In conjunction with the release, I will be throwing a Facebook party that night that will include giving away a couple signed copies of Heir of Hope and a complete, signed set of the Follower of the Word series in their new covers. Of course, you are all invited :) Just click here to let me know you are coming!

Guest Post by Fantasy Author Gillian Bronte Adams

I am excited to have Gillian Bronte Adams as a guest this week on my blog. She is a fellow fantasy writer and friend (and has the most gorgeous red hair!). She is here to share a snippet from her latest novel, Out of Darkness Rising, and one of the ideas behind her story, what if you never saw the sun? So without further ado, here is Gillian!

The Sun Yet Rises

A little over a week ago, I could have sworn the dark of Mordor was descending upon us. I happened to glance out the window at work and watch the world turn from gray to black in a matter of seconds. Less than a minute later, it was pouring.

Had I not feared looking like too much of a dork, I might have given into the temptation to announce in a properly woeful voice that “Doom is upon us.” As it was, I merely whispered it to myself and cast baleful glances out the window.

For almost two weeks, a rainstorm had been camped out over my little town, and life was dim, gray, damp, and dreary. I would wake up tired, head in to work tired, slog through the mud at the barn tired, and try to plan my day around the weather only to be outsmarted at every turn. By the time I made it back home—tired—I was weary and dispirited.

Had the Lady of the Green Kirtle been present, I would have been all to ready to nod along and slip into a dull listlessness as I denied the very existence of the sun. Had Faramir appeared, full of dauntless hope that this darkness would not endure, I might have laughed—but it would have been a cheerless laugh, for the clouds and the gloom and the damp seemed here to stay.

More than anything, I wanted to see the sun.

For the villagers in my novella Out of Darkness Rising, it has been nearly a thousand years since anyone caught more than a glimpse of the sun through the heavy murk surrounding the Island. Bright sunlight, blue skies, and clear, crisp mornings are but a thing of legend, no less mythical than tales of a forgotten King. It was a key element of the story, but I wrote it in there without truly giving it much thought beyond the simple logistics.

It wasn’t until I experienced a taste of it (albeit a small one) that it truly struck home.

Can you imagine never seeing the sun?

Never stepping out into a brightness so cheerful it warms your spirit. Never feeling its heat bathing your skin. Never squinting before a light so true your eyes cannot take it in.

Light and darkness are not uncommon themes in Christian fantasy (or general market fantasy, for that matter) because they are not uncommon themes in Scripture. There are countless verses that reference light and darkness, but two of my favorites became theme verses for Out of Darkness Rising.

“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” Isaiah 9:2 (NIV)

“God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, who no one has seen or can see. To Him be honor and might forever. Amen.” I Timothy 6:15b-16 (NIV)

Those verses seeped into my thinking as I was writing Out of Darkness Rising and came back to mind while I was bemoaning my measly two weeks of storm clouds. Then one afternoon, while I was curled up in my desk chair working on a project (i.e. staring pensively off into the distance) my brain registered what my eyes had already seen.

Sunlight.

And not peeking-through-the-clouds, soon-to-be-smothered sunlight either. It was honest-to-goodness, blazing glory of the sun! In no time at all, I abandoned my desk chair and my project and took to the trails to bask in the daylight.

Perhaps I am spoiled living where I do, where rainy days are not infrequent but sunny days are rarely far behind. Perhaps I should not be complaining. But the dreary, gray days seemed to sap the energy from my limbs and my mind, like I was stumbling through a thick fog for days on end. With the reappearance of the sun, I felt more alive than I had in the previous two weeks.

It was truly glorious thing!

And I couldn’t help being reminded of this scene from Out of Darkness Rising, when Marya catches her first glimpse of the sun.

“At his command, the dark mist covering the Loch fled, scattering before a warm breeze. Blue sky shone clear overhead, and for the first time in centuries, the villagers were able to behold the light of the sun. Light. Marya reveled in the wondrous sight, her unaccustomed eyes watering at the intensity. She took a deep breath and then another, filling her lungs with new, clean air.”

How about you? Can you imagine never seeing the sun?

Author Bio:

GILLIAN BRONTE ADAMS is a sword-wielding, horse-riding, coffee-loving speculative fiction author from the great state of Texas. During the day, she manages the equestrian program at a youth camp. But at night, she kicks off her boots and spurs, pulls out her trusty laptop, and transforms into a novelist. She is the author of Orphan’s Song, book one of the Songkeeper Chronicles, and Out of Darkness Rising. Visit Gillian online at her blog, Twitter, or Facebook page.

Getting Real with Characters

This month for our coffee date I will be directing you over to Rebel Book Reviews for a couple questions I answered for their Author Spotlight including how difficult it was to open myself up in order bring more depth to my characters and how I keep all the story threads straight in a complex novel.

So head on over and enjoy! Rebel Book Reviews