Tell us about yourself!

Hi everyone! I like to say I’m a writer by day and a mom by night. I’m the mother of three teens and one college-bound (when did my kids get so old?). I also love rescuing animals and am currently in love and loved by three dogs, two cats, and three guinea pigs. My partner in crime…err… husband is my best friend, biggest supporter, and the one I love to do this adventure called life with. When I’m not writing, I can be found reading manga, taking walks at night to find frogs, or playing video games.

What does NobleBright fantasy mean to you? Why is it important?

I never heard the term NobleBright until a few years ago. At first, I thought the term meant light fantasy, with happy characters running in fields of flowers and butterflies. And that is so not me. Then one day I read that Noblebright didn’t mean happy light fantasy, but fantasy with hope. It can be dark, brutal, and hard, but in the end, the characters press on to do what is right and believe there is hope at the end. And when I read that, I realized that was me. Those are the kinds of stories I write. Life is hard, sometimes super hard, and so I write about life like that, but my favorite heroes are those who still persevere, even when everyone and everything is against them because there is something greater and brighter at the end of the journey. To me, that is NobleBright fantasy.

How did you start writing?

I thought of an idea and started typing. All right, it’s more complicated than that. I’ve loved fantasy for as long as I can remember but there came a point where I grew weary of books filled with cussing, over-the-top violence and gore, and sex. I wanted something that still held that otherworld feel with a dark edge, but there was a spark of light at the end with characters I could admire and respect. So I started writing the books I wanted to read. That was almost twenty years ago!

What are some of your favorite books/authors? Why?

I would say my favorite authors who have also inspired me are C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, Terry Brooks, Frank Peretti, and David Farland. All of these authors have written amazing, imaginative books, some with deep Christian worldviews (whether overtly or covertly). Their work is what I strive for: to create beautiful worlds with interesting characters and deep meaning.

Please tell us about your world and your characters.

My latest book, Secrets in the Mist, is set in a world where everyone lives on mountaintops, sky islands, or airships due to a deadly mist that covers the valleys and turns humans into the undead. In a world like this, there is the problem of overpopulation so when there gets to be too many people, those deemed less worthy are herded off into the Mist to make room for those at the top.

Cass, one of my main characters, is a survivor who lives by her wits and escapes the purges. A twist of fortune sees her hired on an airship that travels the skies and dives into the Mist below to find treasure and lost heirlooms. During her time on the ship, she meets Theo, the heir of one of the powerful families in the sky and who is looking for a family secret, one he hopes will put an end to the Mist. Together they face the Turned, the Mist, and those in power who do not want to see the world saved.

Do you have any works in progress? Tell us about them!

I just finished the second book in the Skyworld series and am currently working on a secret project that I’m waiting to hear if it will be picked up by a publisher.

Does writing energize or exhaust you?

Both. Everytime I write, I feel like I’m pouring every part of me out on the page: my heart, my soul, my mind. Because of that, I can only write for a couple hours a day and then I’m exhausted. But when I get that scene just right, or I have a breakthrough with one of my characters, or I receive an email from a reader who got my book, that gives me a huge burst of energy.

What are common traps for aspiring writers?

Not understanding the reality of being a writer. Writing takes a lot of time, a lot of practice, and requires self-discipline. There are days you don’t feel like writing, but you buckle down and still write. And finishing a book will take a lot of time. Most people give up and never finish. Lastly, not understanding the publishing industry. Yes, you can just load your manuscript on Amazon and call it good, but unless you are really lucky, you need to do more. You need to understand your audience, where to find them, how to market, and then write the next book. Oh, and there is a reason writers are called starving artists. I encourage people who want to become writers to find a job that pays the bills and gives you time to write until your writing can sustain you.

Have you ever gotten reader’s block?

Yes! When I’m working on a book I can’t read any other books, especially in my genre. I think it’s partly because I’m tired of words at the end of the day and sometimes I find myself comparing my new book to someone else’s, forgetting their book is finished and mine is in the midst of creation. That’s why I read manga or webcomics, they are a refreshing break from words and I still get to engage in amazing stories.

If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?

Don’t worry, you’ll get there. You’ll be published, and top the rankings on Amazon, and win awards. But it won’t be like you think it will. Those don’t satisfy. Instead, you will find true happiness is in the excitement of creating a new book, meeting new characters, and those precious emails from readers.

What did you do with your first advance?

Pay off debt. Not very glamorous but it helped my family out.

What kind of research do you do, and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book?

I like my books to feel as real as possible, so when I’m writing my steampunk series, I research the Victorian time period and try to stay within the feel and science of that time. If I’m writing fantasy, I find countries and cultures close to my world and study those so I can make my own world feel authentic. I do broad research beforehand, then research a particular item while I am writing so I can capture what I learned right then on the page.

What special knowledge or research was required to write this book?

Between Youtube videos, blogs, and info sites, I spent over ten hours researching hang gliding for Secrets in the Mist. I wanted my scenes to make the reader feel like they were really hang gliding and have it as accurate as I could make it.

How many hours a day do you write?

I’m a very slow and meticulous writer who pours a lot of my being into my story. So at most, I usually write 2-4 hours a day and then I’m wiped. But I write every weekday, so the story slowly grows. 

Does your family support your career as a writer?

Yes, or I would have quit a long time ago. When I first published, I received some harsh criticism and if it wasn’t for my husband or the fact I had signed a 3 book series, I would have walked away. Even now, almost after each series, I seriously consider walking away from writing. My family sacrifices a lot financially so I can write. Any other job would pay more than what I make as a writer. But my husband believes in me and my stories, sometimes more than me, and is willing to walk the long road for me to be a writer.

What are the tools of the trade?

For me personally, these are my tools: laptop, internet, thesaurus, emotional thesaurus, soft music, and a good cup of coffee or tea. I can write almost anything as long as I have these things.

When you’re writing an emotionally draining or difficult scene, how do you get in the mood?

Music. I find music that fits the scene and I use it to feel the emotions before I write.

Do you find it more challenging to write the first book in a series or to write the subsequent novels?

They are each hard. The first book is hard because you are building the world and introducing the characters. The last book is hard because by then I’m tired of writing and tired of the world, but I want to press on so I can write a fulfilling ending.

How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?

My tenth novel is with my editor and I’m now working secretly on the 11^th. As far as my favorite, I love them all. Seriously. They all hold my heart.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

A unicorn. I love unicorns. Instead, I became a writer, and that’s almost as magical.

If you could only have one season, what would it be?

Autumn. I love the cool air, the changing trees, and pumpkin spice everything!

What’s your favorite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?

The Oregon Coast. It’s beautiful, wild, with towering trees, mountains, and crashing waves. I’ve based a couple of places in my books on the Oregon Coast.

Are you on social media and can your readers interact with you?

Yes! And I love interacting with my readers.

Where can we find you online?

Website: www.morganlbusse.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/morganlbusseauthor

Twitter: twitter.com/MorganLBusse (@MorganLBusse)

Instagram: www.instagram.com/morganlbusse