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You are here: Home / guest post / Writer Wednesday / Writer’s Desk with Morgan L. Busse

August 18, 2021 by Tricia Goyer 21 Comments

Writer’s Desk with Morgan L. Busse

I am so excited to feature Morgan L. Busse, author of the new book Secrets in the Mist, on this week’s writer’s desk.

This week I'm so excited to feature Morgan L. Busse and her new release, Secrets in the Mist on Writer's Desk!

Writer’s Desk with Morgan L. Busse

Later this week, I have the opportunity to interview Morgan about her new book — and would love for you to join us! Make sure you’re in the Avid Readers of Christian Fiction Facebook group to be able to watch (plus we’ll be taking questions from those that are joining live). But first, a little more about Morgan.

Morgan L. Busse is a writer by day and a mother by night. She is the author of the Follower of the Word series, The Soul Chronicles, and The Ravenwood Saga. She is a three-time Christy Award finalist and winner of both the INSPY and the Carol Award for best in Christian speculative fiction. During her spare time she enjoys playing games, taking long walks, and dreaming about her next novel.

Be sure to stick around until the end of the post to learn more about Secrets in the Mist + enter to win a copy!

Q&A with Morgan L. Busse

Do you have a writing routine? When/Where do you write?

Definitely yes! With a pastor husband and four teens, I need a routine, or I would never write! Here’s my typical day: after my kids and husband take off for school and work, I sit down and spend quiet time with God so my heart and soul are prepared for the day. Then I get my cup of tea and sit down at my computer in my office and start typing. I’m a slow writer, so I write only 500-1k words a day, but they’re usually very clean and I rarely go down rabbit holes, so when I’m done, I have a clean draft. Usually, this takes me all morning. Then I spend an hour or two on marketing, social media, or other writing-related stuff.

When are you most productive?

Morning. By afternoon, my brain is exhausted. Nighttime is when I might pull up the chapter I wrote that morning and see how it sounds in my head.

What do you snack on or drink while writing?

Tea or coffee. I love sipping on something hot and delicious while I type away!

How do you overcome writer’s block?

I usually don’t get writer’s block because I have most of the story plotted out. However, there are days when I can see the scene in my head, but the words won’t come, so I will jump ahead in the story and write a different chapter, one that I can both envision and I have the words for. Other times I will take a shower or go for a walk to clear my head. If my creativity feels depleted, I will step away and recharge either by reading a book, watching a movie, or playing a game.

What is your outlining process? Are you a pantser/plotter or something in between?

I am a plotter. But I’m not a detailed plotter. More like I know all the main events, how I want to start, and where I want to stop. I liken it to a map. However, there are times when I get into the thick of the story that my characters will surprise, much in the same way when you enter a forest with a map, you start to see the details more clearly (you see the trees, hear the birds, find the best picnic spot, get caught in a storm). It’s the right combo of knowing where I’m going, but can still be thrilled by discovery when I write.

This week I'm so excited to feature Morgan L. Busse and her new release, Secrets in the Mist on Writer's Desk!

Best advice for someone who is just starting out.

Practice. Writing improves with practice, just like a pianist gets better with practice. Then go to writing conferences, follow writing blogs, and purchase a few good writing books. Those will help you learn your craft, but then you need to put what you learned into practice. And the second piece of advice: allow yourself some grace. You are learning many things at once. Slowly add one thing at a time and before you know it, you can write dialogue, description, and plot without having to think a lot about it.

Quickfire questions:
Favorite to binge-watch: Lord of the Rings
Currently reading: I’m in between books. The last book I read was These War-Torn Hands, a great Arthurian Legend retelling in the Old West.
Favorite Song: Morning Vibes on Youtube.
Favorite Starbucks: Cinnamon Dolce Latte

Enter to win a signed limited-edition hardcover copy of Secrets in the Mist*

a Rafflecopter giveaway
 
*Due to shipping costs, this giveaway is open to US shipping addresses only.

Don’t miss the upcoming video interview with Morgan HERE on Friday, August 20th at 1 PM CT!

More about Secrets in the Mist:

What’s lurking in the Mist is the least of their worries…

In a world where humanity lives in the sky to escape a deadly mist below, Cass’s only goal is survival. That is, until she finds a job on the airship Daedalus as a diver. Now she explores ruined cities, looking for treasure and people’s lost heirlooms until a young man hires her to find the impossible: a way to eradicate the Mist.

Theodore Winchester is a member of one of the Five Families that rule the skies. Following in his father’s footsteps, he searches for the source of the Mist and hopes to stop the purges used to control overpopulation. But what he finds are horrifying secrets and lethal ambition. If he continues his quest, it could mean his own death.

The Mist is rising and soon the world will be enveloped in its deadly embrace, turning what’s left of humanity into the undead.

Amazon | BookShop.org | Enclave Publishing

Connect with Morgan L. Busse

Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

Sharable Graphics! Just click, save, and share!

This week I'm so excited to feature Morgan L. Busse and her new release, Secrets in the Mist on Writer's Desk! This week I'm so excited to feature Morgan L. Busse and her new release, Secrets in the Mist on Writer's Desk!

Filed Under: Writer Wednesday Tagged With: Author, giveaway, Morgan L. Busse, Secrets in the Mist, writer, Writer's Desk


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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Rebecca D. says

    August 18, 2021 at 4:58 pm

    I love your writing process. It’s so easy to just stop at roadblock and staying stuck. Hopping over it to work out later…that resonates with me.

    Reply
  2. Megan says

    August 18, 2021 at 7:15 pm

    Hi Morgan! Great interview ladies. Thank you for the chance to win your book, it sounds so good!

    Reply
  3. Michelle Hernandez says

    August 20, 2021 at 1:01 am

    So excited to read this book!

    Reply
  4. Ellen Crosby says

    August 20, 2021 at 3:13 am

    I have to admit to not knowing what “steampunk” meant, but now I do. However, I do like a well-written sci-fi piece, so I would surely love to be intro’d to this subgenre with Secrets in the Mist!

    Reply
  5. Ellen Crosby says

    August 20, 2021 at 3:15 am

    I must admit to not knowing what the term “steampunk’ meant. However, I do enjoy a well-written sci-fi piece so would love to be intro’d to this subgenre with Secrets in the Mist!

    Reply
  6. Sophia says

    August 23, 2021 at 5:11 am

    Morgan, I missed the live interview, but am thankful for replays – your authenticity comes through your writing and your answers – I’m thankful to have you and your books in my world!

    Reply
  7. Karen Visnosky says

    August 24, 2021 at 6:24 pm

    Sounds so interesting!

    Reply
  8. Andrea Conner says

    August 24, 2021 at 6:42 pm

    I’m a huge Steampunk fan. Thanks for the chance to win!

    Reply
  9. Connie Hendryx says

    August 29, 2021 at 11:49 pm

    Love the book and especially the cover!!!

    Reply
  10. Katie says

    August 31, 2021 at 4:34 pm

    Loved this!

    Reply
  11. Krista D says

    August 31, 2021 at 5:21 pm

    Sounds great

    Reply
  12. Mac Mulvaney says

    August 31, 2021 at 10:12 pm

    Super excited about this book:)

    Reply
  13. Deborah Cooper says

    September 1, 2021 at 12:15 am

    Looking forward to reading the book!

    Reply
  14. Rachel Koppleberger says

    September 1, 2021 at 12:22 am

    Sounds like a book I’d love to read!

    Reply
  15. Gary VanRiper says

    September 1, 2021 at 2:26 am

    Watched (and enjoyed) the entire interview!

    Reply
  16. Stephanie S. says

    September 1, 2021 at 2:15 pm

    I love this book and hope to make time to watch the interview replay soon!

    Reply
  17. Cathryn VanNostrand says

    September 3, 2021 at 4:23 pm

    Yay! I can’t wait to read this book! 😀

    Reply
  18. Katrina says

    September 3, 2021 at 4:42 pm

    Morgan, your book sounds like something I would really enjoy reading! I can only imagine the time and work that goes into seeing a book through to publication. Congratulations!

    Reply
  19. Mimi says

    September 3, 2021 at 9:48 pm

    I had no idea that this genre even existed let alone in Christian fiction! Morgan is such an excellent author!

    Reply
  20. Robyn Mulder says

    September 4, 2021 at 6:18 pm

    Wow! The premise for this book sounds so good. Loved this interview. It’s always interesting to learn more about the routines and habits of authors. ~Robyn

    Reply
  21. Mari says

    September 5, 2021 at 7:48 am

    I really loved to learn about her writing routine! I need to find my own and this is very insightful!

    Reply

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