T. Haven Morse
- Guest Author -
G'day folks,
Welcome to my interview with a multi-genre author and poet.
Welcome, T. Haven Morse ...
1.
TELL US A LITTLE
ABOUT YOURSELF AND YOUR WRITING JOURNEY.
I’m a poet and writer
who loves crafting pieces that are character-driven and grab readers by the
heart. Since I jumped into this craft a bit later in life—not starting until I
was 38—I brought a lot of life experience to the table. I’ve travelled all over
the world, lived in foreign countries, met a wide variety of people, and have learned
to pick myself up when I fall – with grace and gratitude, most of the time.
Makes this writing-thing easier since my ego doesn’t drive the bus as often and
I’ve risked way more than failing in writing. Doesn’t make me fearless but
makes the rejections and edits more palatable.
2.
WHEN AND HOW DID YOU
BECOME A WRITER?
I’ve only been at this
writing thing for about two years, but I’ve had an incredible journey thus far.
I’ve explored fiction, nonfiction, and just about everything in between. I’m
not sure if I can tell you the exact moment that I became a writer. I think
I’ve always been a writer, I’m just honing my skills and learning the
marketable craft of writing now.
3.
WHAT TYPE OF PREPARATION DO YOU DO FOR A MANUSCRIPT? DO YOU PLAN
EVERYTHING FIRST OR JUST SHOOT FROM THE HIP?
I’m a plotting pantser.
I initially come up with the outline for the story or poem - basic plot points,
main characters, themes. But then as I get rolling, I allow the characters,
rhythm, or mood to play and interject. So, the piece might take twists and
turns that I never saw coming in my initial outline. However, it always seems
to work out in the end and the two combine into a cohesive piece of
storytelling or collection of poetry.
4.
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY
MOST ABOUT BEING A WRITER?
The flexibility. I can
write anywhere, at any time, with or without anyone else being present. Yes,
there is some coordinating to be done with beta readers, editors, publishing,
reading/signings, etc. But, on a whole, it’s a much more flexible process than
I’ve experienced in previous jobs and situations.
5.
WHAT IS THE HARDEST
THING ABOUT BEING A WRITER?
Picking which project
to focus on. I have so many stories and poems and articles and blogs floating
around in my head and heart that having to pick which one to focus on and when
can be a chore. Sometimes, there’s a battle between projects—each vying to be
in the written word spotlight.
6.
WHAT WERE YOU IN A
PAST LIFE, BEFORE YOU BECAME A WRITER?
A world traveller and an adventurer. I’ve danced across Europe
with a touring company, lived in Manhattan – working with Broadway shows,
worked with Doctors Without Borders in Guatemala, and transported rescue dogs
from state to state.
7.
WHAT IS YOUR
GREATEST WRITING ACHIEVEMENT?
Honestly, starting my writing career at thirty-eight-years-old without a
degree would have
to be my greatest writing achievement. Not letting people tell me that I was
too old or too late to start a new career or live a new dream. As well, I never
finished college. So, I don’t have an MFA in creative writing or a degree in
English. I think those are valuable assets for writers to have but I want other
writers, like me, to know that you don’t have to have those credentials to be a
successful writer.
8.
WHAT ARE YOU WORKING
ON AT THE MOMENT?
I’m marketing my poetry
book that came out back in March, Flooded
By, doing rewrites/edits on book one of my fantasy novel series due out
later this year, and penning numerous blogs, newsletter articles, interviews, and
other tidbits for various publishing and writing-related entities.
9.
WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
People’s emotions and
how those emotions drive us to act or react to one another and to ourselves.
10.
WHAT GENRE DO YOU
WRITE?
Poetry and fantasy
mostly. However, I write other genres from time to time – memoir, flash
fiction, and nonfiction pieces.
11.
DO YOU HAVE ANY TIPS
FOR NEW WRITERS?
You’re coming into
writing in a time when anything is possible. If you want it bad enough, are
willing to be patient, understand the basics of marketing (as well as writing),
and work well with others, you can do this. Network like a beast and stay open
to possibilities that may come your way—those help too.
12.
DO YOU SUFFER FROM
WRITER’S BLOCK?
Nope. I’ve got more
ideas and stories in this crazy-train of a brain than I could publish in a
hundred years. From time to time a scene may befuzzle me or I might struggle
with a character detail but I just sleep on it and within a day or two, the
answer will come to me—usually while driving or in the shower. No need for
Pepto or Immodium AD to get things flowing.
13.
DO YOU HAVE A
PREFERRED WRITING SCHEDULE?
Not really. I enjoy
writing first thing in the morning, mostly because I have vivid dreams that
inspire shorter stories or scenes. But I can write whenever my schedule allows
and the spirit moves me.
14.
DO YOU HAVE A
FAVOURITE WRITING PLACE?
The balcony, at my home,
is an amazing place to write – when it’s not 100 degrees and 90% pure Texas coastal
humidity. Enclosed by huge, ancient oaks and pine trees, it’s isolated and I’ve
made it my own version of heaven on earth – with flowers, bird feeders, and
comfy patio furniture.
15.
WHAT IS YOUR
GREATEST JOY IN WRITING?
Readers reactions.
Tears in eyes, thoughtful lip biting, nodding heads. When they look up from the
page or when I finish reading aloud and they are either so lost in the moment
that they can’t respond or they say, “I felt like that was written just for
me”.
16.
WHO IS YOUR
FAVOURITE AUTHOR AND WHY?
Tough call. I’m such a
diverse reader. Hard to choose between Suzanne Collins on one hand, Robert
Fulghum on the other, Elizabeth Gilbert on one foot, Margaret Atwood on the
other foot, and Paulo Coelho on my lap. All of these people write stories
(fiction or non) that connect with me. I feel like I know them or their
characters after reading their work. The moment is real to me and I’ve had an
experience after spending time with them or their characters.
17.
WHAT’S THE GREATEST
COMPLIMENT YOU EVER RECEIVED FROM A READER?
In one of the five-star reviews for Flooded By, a sweet reader wrote, “This is the most powerful poetry
I have ever read. The authenticity of emotions is awesome.” There, that’s it
for me. Achieving authenticity and reaching a reader’s emotions. Nothing better
for me to hear than that.
18.
WHAT WAS THE WORST
COMMENT FROM A READER?
Good question. I had a
beta reader once said, “I just don’t get her. She doesn’t feel real to me.” I
don’t think this was a bad comment at all, it gave me the information I needed
to rework the character and the scene. But I did have a moment of crushed
writer spirit that took some deep breaths and dark chocolate to get over.
19.
WRITERS ARE
SOMETIMES INFLUENCED BY THINGS THAT HAPPEN IN THEIR OWN LIVES. ARE YOU?
Absolutely! I dedicated Flooded
By to Hans Zimmer, whose film scores I listened to while writing the
collection, and to everyone I’ve ever met, observed, or heard about. Experience
is the fuel that feeds my writing and gives it that foundation of authenticity.
20.
OTHER THAN WRITING,
WHAT ELSE DO YOU LOVE?
Connecting, helping,
and have I mentioned dark chocolate yet? I have a tattoo on my forearm that
reads “Iunctus” – Latin for connected or adjoined. And I was born with a
servant’s heart, I’m happiest when helping make the world a better place. Yep,
sounded corny as soon as I wrote it. Oh, well. It’s true. Corny or not.
21.
DID YOU HAVE YOUR
BOOK / BOOKS PROFESSIONALLY EDITED BEFORE PUBLICATION?
Yes and no. I had my
poetry collection read by beta readers – some of whom are professional editors
by trade. They made suggestions on word choice here and there, and questioned a
few themes but didn’t really edit per say. Not a formal developmental or
copyedit. Then I did have two fellow poets give the entire book a once over for
proofreading.
22.
DESCRIBE YOUR
PERFECT DAY.
Oh, this is like the
favorite author question. (Pardon my American spelling.) There are so many
possibilities. A day floating in a bay, in the shadow of a volcano, in Hawaii
would be stellar. But, so would a day hiking in the woods, just me and my dogs,
the birds and the bees. An afternoon touring art museums with friends could
make me just as happy. As would getting to train with the cast of Cirque du
Soleil then write a story about it??! So many perfect possibilities.
23.
IF YOU WERE STUCK ON
A DESERT ISLAND WITH ONE PERSON, WHO WOULD IT BE? WHY?
Can I pass on this
question? I’m afraid any answer I give with either be atrociously corny or make
someone feel bad because I didn’t choose them. I plead the Fifth.
24.
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY
IF YOU HAD THE CHANCE TO SPEAK TO WORLD LEADERS?
I would collect all of
the quotes, passages, lines, and quips from the people I’ve met, observed, or
heard about over my lifetime. Then read them aloud with as much love, heartfelt
authenticity, and genuine passion as I could. When I was done, I’d say, “This
is why I’m alive. This is the world I want to live in.” Then I give them all
dark chocolate – as it solves everything.
25.
WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS
FOR THE FUTURE?
Where to begin? Is the
moon out of the question? Write more, read more, love more, learn more, see
more, feel more, grow more, be more. Yep, that’s about it.
26.
WHAT ARE YOUR VIEWS ON BOOK TRAILERS? DO THEY SELL BOOKS?
Not sure. Jury’s still
out on trailers. I’m not ready to invest my time and money in producing one
just yet. But ask me next week and I may have already started on one.
27.
DO YOU SEE YOURSELF
IN ANY OF YOUR CHARACTERS?
All of them. Because
they’re all emotional creatures, who feel and think, act and react. I’ve yet to
pen a character that is devoid of emotions, feelings, thoughts, actions, and
reactions. Maybe that’s a new writing challenge for me.
28.
DOES THE PUBLISHING
INDUSTRY FRUSTRATE YOU?
Well, I haven’t yet
dealt with the traditional publishing world. When I pitched my poetry book to a
handful of decent-sized, well-known presses, I was told “We’d love to publish
it, in two years”, “Sure, we’ll publish your book for an 80% cut and no advance”,
and “While we love your idea, we want to completely change everything about
your collection”. So, I went with a small, start-up, boutique press and enjoyed
the process. No frustrations, as of yet.
29.
DID YOU EVER THINK
OF QUITTING?
Well, since I just
started writing two years ago, I’m not sure I’ve earned the right to quit yet.
I’m not much of a quitter anyway. I adapt, adjust, and finagle but don’t often
outright quit anything.
30.
WHAT WAS YOUR
FAVOURITE MANUSCRIPT TO WRITE? WHY?
The one I’m currently
working on, of course. Can’t live in the past or the future. So, the manuscript
of now is my favorite.
31.
HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE
‘SUCCESS’ AS A WRITER.
For me, I label myself
a success, if I do something within the scope and field of writing every day.
Growth is important to me, so learning something about the craft of writing
regularly also facilitates success in my book (ha, ha, accidental pun). Everyone’s
goals for being a writer are different, so I say you’re a successful writer, if
you’re meeting your writing goals. Yep, very vague and PC of me but that’s how
I feel.
32.
WHAT SHOULD READERS WALK AWAY FROM YOUR BOOKS KNOWING? HOW SHOULD
THEY FEEL?
Knowing – a bit more
about themselves and/or life. Feeling – connected, like they’ve just stepped
back off the pages as the cover closes.
33.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE YOUR BOOKS MADE INTO MOVIES? EVER WRITTEN A
SCREENPLAY?
Sure, I’d love to see my words and concepts shared in as
many mediums as possible. What I write, I write to be shared and experienced.
If I can reach movie-goers, music-lovers, theatre-patrons, and readers, that’s
the holy grail of connection to me. I haven’t written a screenplay, as of yet,
but some of my early beta readers on the fantasy novel I’m working on mentioned
that it felt like a screen or stage play. They could see actors performing it
in their heads. So, who knows.
34.
HOW MUCH THOUGHT GOES INTO DESIGNING A BOOK COVER?
For me, almost as much
as the writing itself. The cover is your chance to catch the reader’s attention
visually. It’s the interview process to determine if you get the job. Because I
love collaborating with others, I found an artist whose work speaks to me and
asked to use one of his pieces for the cover of Flooded By. I love the idea that my readers might discover his art
because of my book and vice versa.
35.
WHAT’S YOUR ULTIMATE DREAM?
Wow, I am seriously a
corny human being. Oh well. My ultimate dream is to love and connect with
everybody. Yep, it’s a lofty one. Probably not achievable by a human being but
it’s my ultimate dream. I hope that writing is helping me get there by
connecting with readers.
36.
WRITING IS ONE
THING. WHAT ABOUT MARKETING YOU, YOUR BOOKS AND YOUR BRAND? ANY THOUGHTS?
Writing is only a
smidge of the job of a writer these days. You also have to be an accountant,
marketing guru, promoter, salesperson, public speaker, tech wiz, self-editor, and
office manager. This is particularly true for those of us that work with
smaller presses or self-publish. Unless you have a stellar agent, publisher,
cover designer/artist, editor, formatter, and promotional director, you’re
going to end up doing some of these tasks along the way. So, my best suggestion
is to learn as much as you can and fake-it-till-you-make-it with all the rest.
Or marry a sugar-daddy/mama and get them to hire you a staff.
37.
ARE YOUR BOOKS
SELF-PUBLISHED?
My only solo-authored,
published book was published by a boutique publishing house called Bountiful
Balcony Books. So, technically, no. However, being a smaller press, I’ve done a
lot of the work myself and I’m good with the collaboration.
38.
DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN FIVE WORDS.
Collaborative,
Open-minded, Open-hearted, Optimistic, Emotionally-driven
39.
WHAT PISSES YOU OFF MOST?
People reacting out of
ignorance or fear. (I’ve been pissed at myself plenty over the past forty
years?!?)
40.
WHAT IS THE TITLE OF THE LAST BOOK YOU READ? GOOD ONE?
It was a tie. I like to
read two books at once. One in bed before going to sleep and one in the morning
to kick off the day. For dawn, I’ve been reading The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood and at dusk, The Spy by Paulo Coelho. Yep, both are
stellar. Connection and authenticity through and through. Plus, amazing female
protagonists.
41.
WHAT WOULD BE THE VERY LAST
SENTENCE YOU’D WRITE?
Before I die? “My peace
I leave you.”
Before the end of this
interview? I don’t know I’ll tell you in two more questions.
42.
WHAT WOULD MAKE YOU
HAPPIER THAN YOU ARE NOW? CARE TO SHARE?
If everyone in the
world were able to glimpse, for just a moment, into the hearts and minds of
everyone else. To get to walk a poem in another’s shoes. Feel that we’re all
made of the same stuff – blood and molecules, energy and stardust, magic and
mystery, hopes and fears. Could you take care of that for me, Clancy?
43.
ANYTHING YOU’D LIKE
TO ADD?
Thank you. I love doing
and reading interviews like this one. They make me feel like part of a huge
community of writers and readers, all coming together to get to know one
another through the written word. Pretty powerful and, in my corny, little
heart, amazing. Oh, and I guess this is the traditional place to plug myself
and my work. Check out BountifulBalconyBooks.com for more about me, my persona
poetry collection, Flooded By, blog
posts, and for where to stay tuned for the release date of book one of my
fantasy novel series, “Feathers of the Phoenix” – due out later this year. Thanks,
Clancy!
Clancy's comment: I enjoyed this interview. It was easy and relaxed. Many thanks, and keep writing, T. Haven Morse.
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