It is with great pleasure that I welcome Fiona Morgan onto the website today. Fiona is the author of three novels and lives near Glasgow.
Alex: Tell me a bit about yourself, Fiona.
Fiona: I live in a small town outside Glasgow in Scotland and have two gorgeous daughters. I work as a Deaf/blind Guide Communicator and a British Sign Language Facilitator. I needed to learn something new for myself that wasn't connected to being a mum. When this feeling came over me again I started writing. It was the best way to beat my depression when the blackness threatened again.
I always loved writing, but never really thought about it as something I could do seriously, until I knew I had to do something. And I had always wanted to try, but never gotten around to it. As they say, if you don't do it, it doesn't get done. So I went ahead, got the pen and paper out and wrote. And loved it.
Oh, and I love shoes and cars, too.
Alex: How would you describe your writing, and are there particular themes that you like to explore?
Alex: Tell me a bit about yourself, Fiona.
Fiona: I live in a small town outside Glasgow in Scotland and have two gorgeous daughters. I work as a Deaf/blind Guide Communicator and a British Sign Language Facilitator. I needed to learn something new for myself that wasn't connected to being a mum. When this feeling came over me again I started writing. It was the best way to beat my depression when the blackness threatened again.
I always loved writing, but never really thought about it as something I could do seriously, until I knew I had to do something. And I had always wanted to try, but never gotten around to it. As they say, if you don't do it, it doesn't get done. So I went ahead, got the pen and paper out and wrote. And loved it.
Oh, and I love shoes and cars, too.
Alex: How would you describe your writing, and are there particular themes that you like to explore?
Fiona: My first book was about domestic violence. I wanted to focus more on the strength it takes to leave a relationship, to start to rebuild your life. No matter what, you know you can do it. From this, I wanted to continue the theme of women realising their own strengths, learning to live their best lives, and this also includes asking for help, and leaning on people when you need to.
Alex: Are you a writer that plans a detailed synopsis or do you set out with a vague idea and let the story unfold as you write?
Fiona: I plan and plot to a certain extend. I normally know certain 'main' events that I want to happen, then I let my characters do their own thing. They do that anyway even when I do try to corral them.
Alex: Tell us about your latest novel.
Fiona: My last published novel is titled 'Dynamic Entry'. I loved writing Sophie, my main character. She is an undercover police officer who is fiercely independent, fighting her way in what others see as a 'man's job'. During her new assignment her love life gets entangled and she needs to live out two lives. I was/am writing my fourth book, but unfortunately I took rather unwell with the horrid Coronavirus. Since then I have struggled with chronic fatigue, and made life changing decisions, during which I lost my mojo for the characters and storyline. I have shelved that book for now, and have started on the idea I was mulling over for book five.
Alex: Are you a writer that plans a detailed synopsis or do you set out with a vague idea and let the story unfold as you write?
Fiona: I plan and plot to a certain extend. I normally know certain 'main' events that I want to happen, then I let my characters do their own thing. They do that anyway even when I do try to corral them.
Alex: Tell us about your latest novel.
Fiona: My last published novel is titled 'Dynamic Entry'. I loved writing Sophie, my main character. She is an undercover police officer who is fiercely independent, fighting her way in what others see as a 'man's job'. During her new assignment her love life gets entangled and she needs to live out two lives. I was/am writing my fourth book, but unfortunately I took rather unwell with the horrid Coronavirus. Since then I have struggled with chronic fatigue, and made life changing decisions, during which I lost my mojo for the characters and storyline. I have shelved that book for now, and have started on the idea I was mulling over for book five.
Alex: What was the first book you read?
Fiona: Oh, I don't know if I can remember that far back, but I do remember loving Nancy Drew as a youngster, moving on to Agatha Christie.
Alex: How much research do you do and what does it usually entail?
Fiona: I research as I go. I call on friends and family for their knowledge and job expertise. There is always the internet, though sometimes I claim artistic license.
Alex: Do you ever base your characters on people you have encountered in real life?
Fiona: I think I would claim no, but if I'm being honest then, yes, there are bits of people in there. Not an outright carbon copy, maybe a bit like a patchwork quilt of idiosyncrasies. I do however, love adding in details that people closest to me will pick up on, grandparent's names, items from my childhood, and cars we had once upon a time.
Fiona: Oh, I don't know if I can remember that far back, but I do remember loving Nancy Drew as a youngster, moving on to Agatha Christie.
Alex: How much research do you do and what does it usually entail?
Fiona: I research as I go. I call on friends and family for their knowledge and job expertise. There is always the internet, though sometimes I claim artistic license.
Alex: Do you ever base your characters on people you have encountered in real life?
Fiona: I think I would claim no, but if I'm being honest then, yes, there are bits of people in there. Not an outright carbon copy, maybe a bit like a patchwork quilt of idiosyncrasies. I do however, love adding in details that people closest to me will pick up on, grandparent's names, items from my childhood, and cars we had once upon a time.
Alex: Which was the last book you read that blew you away?
Fiona: I love finding a new series of books and found a fantastic one in J.D. Kirk and his DCI Logan series. Well worth a read, or two.
Alex: How do you market your books?
Fiona: I think badly. I struggle to market them, but I try to keep a presence on social media. I have done book signings, and hope to get more of them done once life has resumed and everyone is out of lockdown. I do love doing these interviews, too.
Alex: What are your interests aside from writing? And what do you do to unwind?
Fiona: Aside from writing, I love cars and Formula 1. I grew up going to work with my dad in his Auto Electrician garage - bringing my love of cars to life, which is why there are always cars in my books. To unwind I love reading, and drinking coffee. I love catching up with friends, and having the odd glass of wine, or two.
Alex: Which authors do you particularly admire and why?
Fiona: I admire all authors. They take us on journeys we never thought we wanted to go on, and to places we would never get to. I have been told that my books take on a Martina Cole feel, which is a massive compliment to me. Her books are fantastic, and I love the strong females in them.
Alex: Thank you Fiona for sharing this. And good luck with your next book.
Fiona: Thank you Alex.
Fiona: I love finding a new series of books and found a fantastic one in J.D. Kirk and his DCI Logan series. Well worth a read, or two.
Alex: How do you market your books?
Fiona: I think badly. I struggle to market them, but I try to keep a presence on social media. I have done book signings, and hope to get more of them done once life has resumed and everyone is out of lockdown. I do love doing these interviews, too.
Alex: What are your interests aside from writing? And what do you do to unwind?
Fiona: Aside from writing, I love cars and Formula 1. I grew up going to work with my dad in his Auto Electrician garage - bringing my love of cars to life, which is why there are always cars in my books. To unwind I love reading, and drinking coffee. I love catching up with friends, and having the odd glass of wine, or two.
Alex: Which authors do you particularly admire and why?
Fiona: I admire all authors. They take us on journeys we never thought we wanted to go on, and to places we would never get to. I have been told that my books take on a Martina Cole feel, which is a massive compliment to me. Her books are fantastic, and I love the strong females in them.
Alex: Thank you Fiona for sharing this. And good luck with your next book.
Fiona: Thank you Alex.
