Interview Teresa Morgan

by

Belinda Palmer

Belinda: Most people will never think once about writing a book in their lifetime. What inspired Teresa Morgan to become an author?

Teresa: Simply, I love books and story telling. A third-grade field trip to the public library opened my eyes to a world outside my own. From then on, every Saturday, I'd lug a huge stack of them home. When my mom had chores for me to do, she always knew where to look for me. At twelve I could think of nothing more delightful than making up stories and getting paid for it. 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 after a premature mid-life crisis about the time my youngest began school. Writing gives me a license to begin with a character, a conflict, and then ask myself, “what would happen if?”

Belinda: Satin and Steel is a catchy title. What's your story about?

Teresa:  The heroine, Sharylynn St. Claire, a prominent ballerina, has been kidnapped by an obsessed stalker. She stabs him and flees. Now, Hal Griner doesn’t want her. He wants her dead. When Hal disappears, Sharylynn moves to Quebec City, Canada, and into hiding. She doesn’t want to fall in love. Chad Matthews, a perceptive figure skater with cocker spaniel eyes, sees too much she’d rather leave buried. Then, she discovers that Chad, too, harbors painful secrets.

Belinda:  Who's your favorite character in Satin and Steel, and why does he or she appeal to you most?

Teresa:  That’s a difficult question, but I think the heroine, Sharylynn St. Claire, is my favorite. I think she appeals to me not because she isn’t afraid, but because she is, but doesn’t give in. I admire that kind of courage more than when the heroine hasn’t the sense to be afraid. Sharylynn is very human, and like most of us when bad things happen, she dares to ask “why?”

Belinda: Once they get started, few authors stop with only one book. Do you have any special plots or characters you're looking forward to getting to?

Teresa:  Actually, I do. While I was writing SATIN AND STEEL, my critique group kept telling me that John Henderson, the slightly obnoxious 18 year old deserved his own story. Though I tried to ignore John, he wouldn’t leave me alone. A RISK WORTH TAKING, due out in April of 2003. is his story. Six years after SATIN AND STEEL, John has grown some sense and become hero material. John realizes that the name he’s made for himself in figure skating isn’t how he wants to be remembered. Unfortunately, no one believes him, certainly not Nikki Nolan. An accountant, Nikki prefers numbers to a man’s empty promises.

Belinda: E-Presses are working hard to establish themselves in the publishing industry and aren't widely known by readers across the globe, not compared to the exposure of having your novel on every bookstore shelf for thirty days. Why did you choose to e-publish?

Teresa:  I tend to write a little outside the box. While I understand a publisher’s reluctance to take on a new author whose work doesn’t quite fit what the marketing department is saying will sell, I believe today’s readers are a little more adventurous than they’re given credit for. I’m willing to let the quality of my work speak for itself. Ten years ago, who would have believed technology would fit so comfortably into our lives? I truly believe that electronic books have a place in our world. I adore my e-book reader. It’s comfortable, convenient, and surprisingly easy. It isn’t at all like reading from a computer screen.

Belinda: Besides sitting for endless hours at the keyboard, what does Teresa Morgan do to refuel her soul when she's not writing?

Teresa: Though my husband and children keep me anchored, my life is centered in my faith in God and my relationship with Him. Believe me, writing is not a career for the faint of heart. I also have two spoiled cocker spaniels devious enough to work for the CIA.