Morgan Sterling

Tell us a little bit about yourself, your hobbies and interests.

I'm a mom and a wife. I didn't come from the most loving, warm, or open upbringing, but I'm learning to surround myself with people who do and provide these things for me. I'm a big nerd. I collected comics and watched anime before it was cool. I'm an amateur cosplayer, but I apply flair to it. My office usually has a work-in-progress sword, mask, helmet, shield, etc. But I'm as diametric as my books can appear. I also like to bake bread and can fruits and veggies. This is also the same girl that will, and has, taken to the stage in a drop-it-like-its-hot contest and won. So yeah, dancing, specifically Latin ballroom or freak-out tweak. I told you I was all over the place.

When and why did you start writing books?

I started writing novels because I constantly have a lot of stories going through my brain. When I write them, it's like catharsis. And if I can get pleasure from doing something that is right there for me, why not?

What made you decide to tackle writing as a career?

I'm at the stage where I'm tired of following rules, being a good girl, and doing what is expected. This is my one life. I want to tell my stories. I want to live my life the way I envision it.

Which one of your books or characters is your favourite?

My current favorite character is Shade. She's the heroine in an upcoming novel. I do like emasculated men on paper or in real life... but man do I love a kick-ass heroine. I can't wait for people to meet her and the world she comes from.

Which one of your books was the hardest to write and stretched you the most as a writer?

Actually, it's my first novel. Because of my upbringing the voice in the back of my head was very loud that I was being "bad" by even having the thoughts that led to the book. I was being unforgivable for putting that story into the world. The voice whispered that it was the beginning of my end. That is until close supporters and self-searching allowed me to tell the voice to shut up. My stories, be they erotic or grizzly or about faraway places and Gods, are already a part of my soul. Accepting that and writing that first book with the intention of sharing it was a huge step in my personal development.

Who is your favourite author and book?

Octavia E. Butler is my favorite author, and The Count of Monte Cristo is my favorite book. Uh, the pain of how the movie butchered that beautiful class. But don't come to my books and expect facsimiles, either.

What book are you reading right now?

The current read is "The House at the End of the World" by Dean Koontz. Spooky. Creepy. Good!

Where do you get your inspiration for your books?

Honestly all over the place. I ingest a lot of materials---books, comics, visual art, movies--it could be that. Or it could be that weird thing my wonderfully off-beat kid said that festered in my brain until it brought forth a story. Or maybe one day I just turned to my significant other and said, "Hey, how come....?" and a story was born.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

Spare time? HA! I enjoy writing, and while it's not a chore I no longer consider it spare. Also have kids. Spare time. HA! Moments alone are often spent sleeping, doing brain puzzles (it relaxes me) or planning trips... and going on trips. I love trips!

Do you have any new books in the works?

Yes, I sure do. There are three more books currently slated in the Nerdy Love Affair series. However, I'm finishing the last few chapters on the first book of another series that will bring "the Gods" and demigods together with mere mortals. And there is a whole other scifi series, the first book of which is going to be edited soon, and the second book is already in production. So yeah, there are definitely more books in the works.