XX Authors Featuring Julie Morgan
Today, we take a look behind the scenes with best-selling author Julie Morgan. Welcome to the Pages, Julie. Let’s chat!
CLR: Give us the deets – genre(s), length of writing career, how long you’ve been writing – all the basics.
JM: I’ve been writing almost my entire life. I started with songs and poetry as a child, then moved into storytelling, and eventually, my first novel. The first-ever book I wrote was never published. I wrote it 14 years ago and it still sits away, nice and neat. Never to see the light of day lol!
CLR: What made you choose paranormal and contemporary romance?
JM: I’ve always had a fascination with all things paranormal. I can remember back to reading about demons and vampires as a child through our encyclopedias. Back then, we didn’t have internet so it was the big books and the library card catalog. I’ve enjoyed all things dark as far back as I can remember. As for contemporary, I love this genre as well. For me, the only difference is the universe the story is told in.
CLR: How do you feel about female characters?
JM: I love them and all of my stories focus around a strong female.
CLR: What are the dos/don’ts of writing them for you?
JM: I don’t make them weak, need to be rescued, need a man in their life. I do make them strong, make them the dragon rather than the damsel, make them beautiful. I don’t make them unrealistic. I make them relatable.
CLR: Male characters, same question.
JM: I love strong male alpha characters, but I do NOT enjoy assholes. Give me strong, focused, and fierce, but dammit, be a nice guy. No woman wants to be talked down to. Put me on a pedestal and whisper me sweet nothings!
CLR: What is the hardest thing about being a female author?
JM: Not wanting to eat all the things in my house when I write! LOL!
CLR: What is the best thing about being a female author?
JM: Having my female and male writers support.
CLR: How does being female affect your writing – or does it?
JM: It doesn’t affect my writing.
CLR: What do you think about the “strong female character” trope in literature?
JM: I don’t necessarily find it a trope. I find writing strong female characters gives you a chance to be something you’ve always wanted to see in yourself. Not having to rely on anyone but yourself, being able to walk away when sometimes it’s the most difficult thing to do, and giving your heart fully knowing the character she’s giving it to will accept it without pause… because I’m writing him/her.
CLR: How do you treat misogyny in your writing, or do you?
JM: I don’t.
CLR: Are there any special challenges to writing female characters in your genre? If so, what are they?
JM: There can be. Writing a slim female vs full-figured. Sometimes I write a character so flawed and relatable, then turn around and write someone thin, strong, and someone who needs serious redemption.
CLR: What does your writing day look like?
JM: It all depends on when I can get time. I’m married and have a daughter. My schedule revolves around them.
CLR: Do you think the industry treats male and female writers differently?
JM: Yes, from romance to non-fiction, each genre is treated differently.
CLR: Do you think the market treats male and female protagonists differently?
JM: That honestly depends on the author creating the story/world.
CLR: What outside influences, if any, do you see having an impact on your writing?
JM: Everything around me influences my writing. From a kid in a candy store to a woman praying over a headstone. Everything around us can become a story.
CLR: Favorite author? Why?
JM: I have too many to list!
CLR: Do you make a conscious effort to include feminist themes in your writing?
JM: No I do not. It’s not who I am and I don’t put anything like this in my stories, feminist or any other topics of this nature.
CLR: What themes are your favorites to include in your writing?
JM: Angst! My favorite! Steamy, romance, second chance romance, starting over, girl/boy next door, forbidden romance (also a fav!)
CLR: What advice would you offer to new women authors coming up?
JM: Find your tribe. Find people who will have your back and support you. Never be afraid to ask for help. Not everyone will have your best intentions so be careful who you give your time to when starting out. Research, get a GREAT editor, great beta readers, and people who are not afraid to tell you the truth.
CLR: What are you working on now?
JM: I just wrapped up my first story for Waterhouse Press in the Misadventures world. It’ll come out Spring 2020! Misadventures of a Firefighters.
CLR: What are your “next steps”?
JM: Next I’ll be outlining my second Waterhouse book, Misadventures with my Lawyer, plotting out Enzo, book two with Gracen Miller in our Private Dick series, and I’m starting a collaborative effort with someone new. We haven’t shared details formally yet, so look for news of this, and who it is, coming soon!
Julie Morgan is an award-winning USA Today best-selling author. Her forte is writing strong heroines who are more likely to be the dragon than the damsel. Julie reads a wide array of genres from paranormal romance to horror, and her writing reflects that variety. She lives with her family in Florida and loves playing board games and reading.
To find out more about Julie and her books, visit her website. Other places you can find Julie:
Book bub | Amazon | Facebook | Twitter | Newsletter
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Kiss Me: An Asian Hero Boxed Set
two daughters and living out her dreams via her stories. She began escaping into books a little later than most but was hooked after the first book she read. It has been her dream to give back to the book world since she was in second grade.
Today I am pleased to host one of my favorite romance authors, 
