Where do you get your ideas?
By Morgan Brice
I’m often asked where I find the ideas for my books and characters. I tell the truth–finding ideas isn’t hard. Finding the time to write all the stories based on the ideas is tough, even though I write full time!
Ideas are everywhere. They’re in the headlines (what if this happened instead of that). They’re in history (what if something changed). They’re in nature (why does that happen, and what if it worked a different way). And they’re in legend, myth and other stories, TV shows and movies. (What if the character made a different decision? What if they took a different path? How would someone with different traits or background respond to that challenge?)
It all starts with ‘what if’. Every time a decision or a set of circumstances led to a sequence of actions, there was a moment where a different choice or a slightly different scenario might have gone in a totally different (or slightly but crucially different) way. Or maybe, nothing happened but it would have been really cool if it did. And all of those are springboards to stories.
We all are influenced by what we’ve experienced, read, watched and seen. Writers take those elements and change them, twist them a bit, and come up with something new. For example, I’m very clear about the TV show Supernatural being a big influence on me (as well as shows like Dark Shadows, Buffy, and other books and movies). Eric Kripke, the show runner who created Supernatural, has spoken about how Star Wars influenced him and how Sam and Dean were to an extent based on Han and Luke.
Of course, George Lucas who created Star Wars was influenced by Joseph Campbell’s ‘The Hero’s Journey.’ And Campbell based his work on world legends and myths, and the kinds of stories that we tell over and over throughout history. So to an extent, all stories have their beginning in other stories and that ‘what if’ question. The job of the writer–and the fun of writing–lies in coming at the story or challenge from a new an interesting way.
Book Title: Unholy (Witchbane #5)
Author: Morgan Brice
Cover Artist: Lou Harper
Release Date: February 8, 2020
Genre/s: Urban fantasy MM paranormal romance
Trope/s: monster hunting, paranormal, supernatural, magic, ghosts, curses, cursed lovers, hurt/comfort, established couple
Themes: loyalty, brotherhood, found family, keeping promises, trust, commitment
Heat Rating: 4 flames
Length: 66 000 words/ 224 pages
It can be read as a standalone, but is book #5 of the Witchbane series.
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A deadly curse on Seth and Evan means time is running out.
Can they find a way to turn the tables, or is Charleston their final destination?
Blurb
A cycle of ritual murders. A coven of dark warlocks, drawing their immortality from the magic of their dead master. Two men sworn to stop the deaths, destroy the warlocks and avenge the victims. Except this time, the killer is hunting the hunters.
Seth Tanner swore vengeance on the dark witches who killed his brother, Jesse. He rescued Evan Malone from one of the witches, and they’ve fallen in love despite the danger and chaos, going on the road to complete the quest and bring an end to the ritual murders. Their relationship is still new, tested at every turn by danger and magic.
Seth and Evan head to Charleston to stop the next warlock and save his intended victim. But this time, they’re too late. The warlock has already powered up, and he’s determined to destroy the two hunters one way or another. A deadly curse on Seth and Evan means time is running out. Can they find a way to turn the tables, or is Charleston their final destination?
Unholy is an urban fantasy MM paranormal romance with plenty of supernatural suspense, hurt/comfort, hot sex, found family, dark magic and paranormal thrills. It is part of a series but can be read as a standalone and features an evolving, established romantic relationship with all the feels. Intended for readers 18 years of age and older.
From Chapter 3
“Hi, and welcome to Charleston,” Alicia said. “I’ve heard a lot about both of you.”
That left one other person. He looked to be in his late twenties, with blond hair in a trendy cut, high cheekbones, and gray eyes the color of the sea after a storm. Unlike the others, he didn’t have a drink or a plate in front of him. The man’s appraisal made Evan shiver, although nothing in his manner seemed hostile.
“This is Sorren,” Cassidy said. “He’s my business partner, and he and my ancestor founded Trifles and Folly—my shop—back when Charleston was first chartered.”
Seth and Evan exchanged a glance. “But Charleston is over three hundred years old,” Seth protested.
Sorren smiled, and Evan caught his breath as he glimpsed the tips of fangs behind his lips. “You’re correct. And I am nearly six hundred. I am deeply interested in finding out about this witch-disciple you hunt. He has, apparently, gone to great lengths to avoid my notice.”
As soon as Sorren spoke, Evan wondered how he could have thought the man was close to his own age. Sorren had a presence that made it easy to believe he was immortal. Instinct warned him not to meet Sorren’s gaze, and he remembered stories about a vampire’s ability to glamour mortals and bend their will.
“Don’t worry. You’re safe here,” Sorren said, apparently noting Evan’s uneasiness. “You are guests in Cassidy’s home, and allies. That puts you under my protection—something I take very seriously.”
Evan pasted on a smile and nodded. Holy shit. What have we gotten ourselves into?
“You already know Teag, and I believe he and Seth have bonded over hacking to get information on some of the cases we’ve worked on. But his ninja computer skills are really an outgrowth of his Weaver magic,” Cassidy said, “which you know at least something about, from the spell-woven braided bracelets you gave each other for your birthdays.”
She sat at the table beside Teag. “Eat first, and then we all want to hear your story.”
Evan wasn’t sure what might pass for normal conversation with this crew, but the banter felt comfortable and familiar. They obviously knew each other well and were friends as well as colleagues. While they ate, the conversation drifted to local happenings, upcoming events, and the shared frustration that went with having to avoid road construction. Even Sorren commented now and again, and Evan noticed that no one at the table seemed to regard him fearfully. Evan glanced at Seth and knew from the look on his boyfriend’s face that the mental wheels were turning, appraising their new allies.
When everyone had their fill of the pizza and had topped off their drinks, the chatter stopped, and they all looked to Seth and Evan. Teag stepped away and returned with his laptop.
“We know a little bit about your hunt for the witch-disciples from the information Teag helped you find in the past,” Cassidy said.
Morgan Brice is the romance pen name of bestselling author Gail Z. Martin. Morgan writes urban fantasy male/male paranormal romance, with plenty of action, adventure and supernatural thrills to go with the happily ever after. Gail writes epic fantasy and urban fantasy, and together with co-author hubby Larry N. Martin, steampunk and comedic horror, all of which have less romance, more explosions. Characters from her Gail books make frequent appearances in secondary roles in her Morgan books, and vice versa.
On the rare occasions Morgan isn’t writing, she’s either reading, cooking, or spoiling two very pampered dogs.
Series include Witchbane, Badlands, and Treasure Trail. Watch for more in these series, plus new series coming soon!
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