Writer Wednesday: Roh Morgon + G1veaway!
Welcome to my Writer Wednesday feature! Each week, I either showcase a fellow writer who has inspired/encouraged me in some way, or I interview one. Writers could be at any stage of their writing career.
My first Writer Wednesday victim of the year 2012 is…
Roh Morgon
Roh’s was one of the first blogs I followed when I began my foray into the blogging world. She and her blog have come a long way since then; she has released a novel, Watcher: Book One of the Chosen, with a novella, The Last Trace, to follow really soon! I am so pleased for her!
Having been an escapist her entire life, Roh is a fantasy writer who grew up in a remote Southern Californian canyon, where she explored the wild hills barefoot with her brothers, and rode her horse bareback at top speed. A wicked youth spent hitchhiking across the West and perching on the backs of Harleys eventually gave way to soccer mom duties and full-time college studies–at the same time. In her spare moments, she learned how to herd cattle, sew costumes, swordfight, and plant an arrow or a knife in a target–not necessarily at the same time.
Roh currently lives in the Sierra Nevada foothills with three mustang horses, two crazy herding dogs, and a very patient husband who wonders if she’s ever going find the time to sleep again.
Contact: Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter
***Find out how you could win an e-book copy of Roh’s paranormal novel, Watcher, below!***
Thank you for offering yourself up as a willing victim, Roh.
First of all, I’d like to thank you, J.C., for interviewing me on your blog. I remember when we were both starting out–it’s amazing how much our sites have grown, and how we’ve both grown as writers in such a relatively short time.
When did you start writing?
January 2009. I woke up with a very sad vampire woman in my head showing me her life. I had no choice but to write Sunny’s story, which resulted in the trilogy of The Chosen: Watcher, Runner, and Seeker.
What genres do you write?
I write fantasy, mostly dark fantasy, for middle-grade, young adult, and adult readers. The characters in my stories tend to be either paranormal or magical.
The middle-grade and young adult series I have in development is paranormal, centering on shapeshifters, although there are also vampires, werewolves, and other ‘monsters’ in the stories. The series is called Forbidden Doorways and the first novel, Finding the Key, is nearly complete and will be available in early 2013. A middle-grade novelette, Fur Before Feathers, appeared in the 2010 anthology I Dreamed a Crooked Dream.
I also have several magical fantasies in the works. When the Magic Disappeared is a YA novella about a young magical healer during the witchcraft burning era in Europe. Magic will appear this fall as part of an anthology to be published by the Fresno Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers.
My adult works tend to be darker. In The Chosen series, most of the characters are vampires. While some of them resist their natures (namely the main character, Sunny); others embrace theirs. Watcher, Runner, and Seeker are novels in the series. I’m also working on novellas as part of the series, which will feature backstories on secondary characters. I’ve just finished one called The Last Trace, which is about a mountain man named Trace Tasman being stalked by a ‘demon’ in 1842 Montana.
I also have several dark fantasy short stories published on Smashwords – both of which are the result of blogfests!
J.C.: You sound like one busy–and productive–lady! Good on ya!
Sum up your current WiP in 10 words or less.
In Runner, Sunny’s choice brings her worst fears to life.
What’s your ultimate goal as a writer?
The same as most writers–to write well enough to be able to do it full-time!
Seriously, I am working toward a point where I can hopefully devote more time to writing. I have stories that I haven’t even mentioned outlined and waiting for attention. But I do need to sleep once in awhile…
How close are you to achieving this goal?
It’s impossible to tell. The status of an author depends on what the readers like and want more of. In my case, if they like my writing, and tell their friends about it, then I might be achieving my goal a bit sooner!
Any quirky writing habits?
Hmm … let me see. My favorite places to write are either on my front porch swing (which overlooks rolling California hills dotted with oak trees and horses), or propped up in bed with the draperies drawn and my headphones on. And I always write to music–my latest piece, The Last Trace, was written and edited to Coldplay (Amsterdam is Trace’s theme song).
And I love to write in the middle of the night – between 11:00pm and 5:00am is the best. But I don’t get to do that very often. It’s really hard to get up for work the next day when you went to bed at 4:00am!
J.C.: Yikes! I’m usually asleep by 11! No wonder you call your blog “Musings of a Moonlight Writer”!
Best writing snack?
It changes according to my mood. I’m trying to wean myself off sugar, and have just traded in Worther’s and cinnamon Jolly Ranchers candies for salted pumpkin seeds in the shell. But if you ask me next week, it’ll probably be something else.
Kung Fu KAPOW! Question:
Think of a character you wrote. How much do you share his/her personality?
Hah! No psychoanalysis for me! I firmly believe my characters exist in another plane and just use me as a conduit for their stories. <grin> No really! Just ask them!
Okay, well, let’s see. I’ll focus on The Chosen characters, because that’s the series I’m currently working on.
It’s not Sunny, because she’s much more noble than I am. And her choices suck. She definitely doesn’t do what I would’ve done at the end of Watcher.
Nicolas…maybe a little. We certainly have the same taste in cars!
Trace? I don’t know–there’s whole lot of bad boy brewing in that half-Indian. I won’t know what he’s really like until I finish his next coupleof novellas.
So to answer your question … I don’t know! I suppose a little bit of each one…
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Giveaway!
Roh is excited to give away a print copy of Watcher to one lucky reader, and this contest is open internationally!
Blurb:
Predator. Killer. Monster.
The words echo in Sunny Martin’s head each time she looks in the mirror. Since the night she was torn from her car and drained of her blood, Sunny’s fear of the hungry beast within her is rivaled only by the fear of exposure.
Her lonely struggle to survive on the edge of the human world leads Sunny to the mountain peaks of Colorado where she meets Nicolas, the enigmatic leader of a hidden society.
Their passion, tainted by betrayal, violence, and murder, reveals a shocking truth behind Sunny’s savage nature and drives her toward an agonizing Choice between her heart and the last remnant of her human soul.
Purchase Links: Amazon | Smashwords | Barnes & Noble | Apple
For your chance to win, all you have to do is answer the following question:
Who is your favourite vampire characeter in literature, and why?
Leave your answer in the comments below, being sure you fill in the e-mail address field.
The giveaway will run till Friday 6th January. A winner will be randomly drawn and announced on Saturday. Good luck! 
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I am on the hunt for more willing Writer Wednesday victims! Are you game to answer six simple questions and one not-so-simple Kung Fu KAPOW! Question? If you have a book release coming up soon, or if you just want a bit of exposure, let me know! Happy to accommodate giveaways as part of your interview as well! E-mail me HERE to express your interest!
Butt-kicking bookworm. Displaced Malaysian. Writes crime & thrillers. Debut novel ORACLE will be released by J. Taylor Publishing on 30th July 2012.
Thank you for introducing us to Roh. I’ll definitely be checking out her blog and website!
[...] was kind enough to interview me for her weekly feature, Writer Wednesday. You can check it out [...]
Great interview. Her adult series sounds so intriguing!
Hi, J.C. Thanks for sharing this cool interview. I had never had the pleasure of “meeting” Roh, and I’m so glad that I have. Her writing sounds intriguing and we’re practically neighbors! *waves from Fresno, Ca. area*
As for my favorite vampire character in literature and why, I’m having trouble choosing. No matter what, I seem to end back at Lugosi’s classic turn as Dracula. Perhaps it’s because it was my first.
Thanks so much for the opportunity.
-Jimmy
Okay. Roh sounds like an awesome kick-butt girl and her book? I’m already a fan! Thanks for introducing Roh to us!
Yea Roh! So glad to see your interview here. I bought Watcher and can’t wait to start reading it!
Amy
I’m really happy to discover Roh, thanks you so much for this giveaway of a print copy and opening it to international. I really appreciate your generosity
As for the question: my favorite vampire is Bones from the Night huntress serie by Jeaniene Frost because he is so loyal, honest and with a great humor. A perfect soulmate
all the best
Great interview! Favorite vampire? Hmm. Probably Simon from the Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare. He’s a vampire who can withstand daylight.
Hi everyone!
I’d like to thank you all for stopping by to say ‘hi’, and for your wonderful comments.
Favorite vampire…hmm.
My favorite individual is Weyland from Suzy McKee Charnas’ novella “The Unicorn Tapestry”, which won the 1980 Nebula. He’s similar to traditional vampires in some ways, but very unique in others. Weyland crawled inside my head and wouldn’t leave for days, much like Nicolas in Watcher.
My favorite group has to be the Austra family, from Elaine Bergstrom’s series that began with “Shattered Glass.” Again, they are traditional in some ways, and so very not in others. I love that series.
I also really like the vampires in Tim Power’s “The Stress of Her Regard”, in which poets Byron, Shelley, and Keats are stalked by strange, powerful vampire-like creatures. They are like nothing I’ve read before.
As for your favorite vampires…Dracula, of course, is the sire of the modern, alluring vampire. Though he wasn’t the first, he certainly became the most popular in both literature and film. I recommend you check out the sequel by Stoker’s great grandnephew, Dacre Stoker, who had access to his ancestor’s files and notes. Very interesting take on our beloved Count.
I’ve not read either the Night Huntress nor the Mortal Instruments series, though I’ve definitely heard of them. I’m avoiding recent vampire works for the time being while I’m working on my own series. But when it’s finished, those are both at the top of my list to read.
Again, thank you everyone for your interesting comments.
And thank you very much, J.C., for interviewing me on your awesome blog and hosting the giveaway for Watcher.
Here’s to a great 2012!
Oh, I hope I’m in time to enter the give away. I’d love to read Roh’s book.
My favorite vampire is a toss up between Anne Rice’s Lestat – he’s so wonderfully arrogant – and Angel played by David Borenaz. Angel is a gloriously angsty adult vampire, with kick ass attitude and the ability to back it up.
Loved the interview Roh and JC. I’ve lost track of Roh is recent months, But I’ll rectify that by visiting the blog. I’m glad you’re still hanging around Roh
……….dhole
Hello, Donna!
So glad to hear from you!
I’ve been off the radar in recent months due to being buried in indie publishing. But I have most of my completed titles out now and can take a little more time for blogging.
See you around the blogosphere!
[...] a touch late. Had a mad day at work! Anyway, thanks to everyone who commented on Roh Morgon’s Writer Wednesday interview. She is an awesome writer who deserves all the exposure she can get! I am pleased to announce the [...]