Tell us about yourself and your most current project/s?
I’m a writer of both fiction and non-fiction, mostly horror and the paranormal (although I occasionally sidestep into mystery and science fiction). My current project is a non-fiction book called My Name is Legion: The Strange and Terrifying History of Demonic Possession.
What did the inspiration/idea come for this project?
My favorite movie is The Exorcist - I saw it when I was a teen and it made me want to be a writer - so this is a longtime dream project for me. It’ll be my fourth book with the wonderful publisher Reaktion Books, which makes it even better.
What does the writing process look like for you?
On a nonfiction book like this, you start with a proposal which includes a chapter outline. Once the book is sold and the publisher is happy with the basic outline, the research is next. I’ll start writing as I’m working through the research; that way I’ll see the gaps that need filling and I can dig deeper into the research. Of course the process is very different if I’m working on a short story or a novel (although my fiction often involves research as well). I don’t outline short stories, but just think them through for a while before I sit down to type (I’m a plotter, in other words, not a pantser!).
How do you handle writer’s block?
I look at my list of all my deadlines and the work I owe various editors and publishers!
How do you feed your creativity when feeling drained?
One of the reasons I love writing nonfiction is that it’s like a never-ending treasure hunt; you keep unearthing amazing facts that you can’t wait to fit into your own book, so you never feel drained! When I’m working on fiction...well, that’s probably one of the reasons I prefer writing short stories to novels - when you’re constantly telling a new story, it keeps it fresh and exciting.
What advice would you give writers who feel stuck on uninspired?
Figure out why you’re stuck; if you can’t seem to move forward, it usually means there’s something wrong with what came before in your current work in progress. Once you backtrack and find that roadblock, you’ll probably slide right back into your groove.
Have you ever thought about giving up writing? If so, what pulled you back?
Never. I seriously can’t afford to!
How do you keep your voice or ideas fresh over time?
That’s an interesting question and I’m not sure how to answer it for other folks...for me, ideas are just always flowing in. I can go out for a ten-minute walk and come in with three new story ideas.
What do you wish more people understood about the creative process?
That to really pursue writing means some sacrifice. It means taking time away from other things, whether it’s watching YouTube or hanging with friends or playing videogames or even taking care of your family. There have been times in my life when making time for writing meant staying up late in bed with a laptop until I fell asleep. If you’re not willing to give up things like evenings out or watching your favorite show - or even sleep! - then writing may not be for you.
What is the most honest thing you’ve ever written - and did it scare you?
I’ve written a number of pieces (both fiction and non) about dementia, which my mom suffered from for 17 years (I was her caregiver for part of that time). In fact, as I write this my most recent short story, “Forgetting” (from New Writings in Horror and the Supernatural Vol. 3, edited by Stephen Jones and published by PS Publishing), deals with a massive plague of dementia and yeah, it bothered me to write it.
Where can my audience find you and your work?
The easiest place to start is probably lisamorton.com, although my books are at all major book sites.
Thank you again for the opportunity, Michael!