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Welcome to the Tuesday Author Interview with Christina Boyd for the Who, What, When, Where, and Why.
CHRISTINA: I first met M.K. Scott when I worked with her on a small story, titled "Dreamspinner" in the anthology Sunkissed. She published that story as Morgan K. Wyatt. Ever since, I've followed her writing career via social media as she published countless books and posted pictures of her labrador, various author events, and Star Trek events.
When did you first think you had a book to write and how did you start?
Morgan: Way back when I was in junior high, I was basically a painfully shy kid who wanted to entertain others. This resulted in me writing The History of the World with Commercials. I hand wrote this tale without any access to copiers. I chose to include teachers and students as characters making sure to change names and transforming them into animals. Mr. Fox was my history teacher, while Wanda Woodpecker might be the school secretary pecking away on her typewriter. My four friends diligently copied my latest chapter and handed it out without any author name attached. This became quite popular rather like Lady Whistledown on Bridgerton. While students enjoyed it and spent time speculating on who was what animals, a few teachers objected to the whole concept and were on a search to discover the true author. As a shy, studious girl, I was never suspected. In a way, my nameless alter ego gained the popularity I desired.
CHRISTINA: That's a great story.
What comes first: plot or characters?
Morgan: It depends on the story. Many series already have characters, so it would be the plot. Sometimes, I find a plot line and have to decide what characters suit it best. Other time, the characters come much easier such as the cantankerous Eunice in The Way Over the Hill Gang. I had no clue how Eunice would fit in, but decided I had to have her in the series.
CHRISTINA: Do you put people you know, or their characteristics, in your book?
Morgan: I often ask people if I can use their names. If I choose an actual friend or student in a book, it is usually brief and a flattering portrayal. Most characters are a composite of living people and fictional characters. My husband jokes that he can see himself in certain characters.
CHRISTINA: What do you think makes a good story?
Morgan: Well-rounded characters and growth make for a good read. There doesn’t have to be car chases or bombs going off. I prefer the quieter tales. Rosamunde Pilcher’s short story about a shy woman being bold enough to wear a red sweater she keeps in a box in her closet is one of my favorites. I wish I could remember the name of the story. You can’t go wrong by reading any of Pilcher’s short stories.
CHRISTINA: If you weren’t a writer, what would you be?
Morgan: I always wanted to be a park ranger. Perhaps, I watched too much Yogi Bear as a kid.
CHRISTINA: Aw, cute.
How did writing your first book change your writing process?
Morgan: I used to believe you had to be inspired to write, which resulted in my first book taking about seven years to finish. LOL. In today’s market, the day after you release your newest book, people want to know when the next book is coming out.
CHRISTINA: Ha! That’s kind of a compliment to you though.
MORGAN: I also didn’t allow myself to have much voice in the writing process. Editors might want to change the title to ride a market trend, proofreaders might change actual words without my permission, or cover artists might not create the right feel for the story. In the beginning, I had no clue I could object to any of this. Now, I state my opinion—politely, of course.
CHRISTINA: What’s your current project?
Morgan: My most recent work is book eight, Sniffing Out the Truth, in "The Talking Dog Detective Agency" series.
In Sniffing Out the Truth, join the spirited Private Investigator Nala and her canine companion, Max, on a twisted journey through deception and danger. When an unexpected corpse surfaces at her friend's vegetarian eatery, Nala must navigate a maze of lies and betrayal to prove her friend's innocence.
As suspicions rise and tensions flare, Nala's loyalty is tested as she unravels a web of secrets that implicates even those closest to her. With a clever dog by her side and a determined spirit, Nala races against time to expose the real killer, even if it means challenging her own beliefs and putting her romantic relationship with an officer at risk. A riveting tale of mystery and friendship. Sniffing Out the Truth is a thrilling ride through a world where the truth is the most elusive catch of all.
Thanks for the opportunity to talk about writing without making my friends get writer’s cramp from copying the interview several times. Thank goodness for the Internet.
CHRISTINA: Absolutely. Thank you for your time. Best wishes on your next.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
M. K. Scott is the Morgan and Scott cozy mystery writing team of The Painted Lady Inn Mysteries, The Talking Dog Detective Agency, The Way Over the Hill Gang, Cupid’s Catering Company, and The Tenacious Librarian series. Morgan pens the tales, while Scott serves as first editor and webmaster. Daughter Sarah handles the social media, and Jane the Lab supervises digging in the garden.
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Thanks for the interview opportunity. 😀
MK Scott