A Conversation with Morgan Gauthier, a Fantasy, Romance Author

Morgan Gauthier writes both Fantasy and Contemporary Romance. She lives in East Tennessee with her husband and best friend, Brad, and their three children, Remi, Archer, and Roux (who are 5 years old and younger!). If five people wreaking havoc in the same house wasn’t enough, Morgan also has three dogs, Potter, Skye, and Bubba. Storytelling is in Morgan Gauthier’s blood; She can’t seem to turn her brain off at night and some of her best ideas have come to her in the shower.

Born to two book-loving parents, Morgan was raised on a healthy diet of The Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Nancy Drew, and any fantasy book she could get her hands on. She started writing her own stories at eleven years old and hasn’t looked back. She is the author of the Mark of the Hunter Trilogy (Wolves of Adalore, The Red Maiden, and The Raven and the Wolf) as well as Aloha, Seattle and The Maine Attraction (both Contemporary Romantic Comedies). If Morgan isn’t writing or reading, she can be found binge watching Netflix shows, attempting to cook like Gordon Ramsay (not even close to his level), and practicing archery.

Let’s get started with a quick rapid fire.

Q1. If you could be transformed into one mythological creature, which one would you choose?

This might sound like a basic answer, but I’d be an Elf from Tolkien’s world.

Q2. What is one thing you wish you enjoyed more?

Exercise. I wish I loved working out more.

Q3. What are the least-likely three words someone would use to describe you?

Late, Disorganized, Lazy.

Q4. Where did you go on your last vacation?

We went to see family in Nashville, Tn! We love it there!

Q5. Would you rather find your dream job or win the lottery? You can’t do both.

Dream job. Definitely.

Q6. What is one thing you regret spending money on?

Take-Out. Sometimes I’m lazy and don’t want to cook for a family of 5 all the time.

Q7. What object do you misplace or lose the most?

Probably my phone. I set it different places throughout the day and have to retrace my steps to find it again.

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Q8. If you were a spy, what would be your codename?

I got to go with “Mo” since it’s my nickname.

Q9. Favorite Holiday Destination.

I’ve always wanted to spend Christmas at a ski lodge. Maybe one day I will.

It’s time for a more detailed conversation, Morgan.

You’ve answered our rapid fire brilliantly, Morgan. Now, it’s time for our readers to know more about the person behind the book.

Q. Tell us something about yourself that’s going to keep us wanting more.

Well, in addition to being an author, I married my best friend, Brad. We have three kids who are 5, 3, and 2, so I’ve got my hands full. We have three dogs and live in Tennessee! When I’m not writing or reading, I love watching baking shows with my daughter, practicing archery when the weather is nice, and playing video games with my husband!

Q. Well, that’s just…memorable for sure. So, what books have you read more than once in your life? 

I really don’t tend to re-read books. I get super excited to read new books and meet new characters. But when I was younger, around 11 or 12, I fell in love with Mara, Daughter of the Nile written by Eloise Jarvis McGraw, and it became my obsession. I was able to track down a copy in my adult years and have it proudly displayed on my shelves. I hope my kids will read it one day and enjoy it just as much as I did.

Q. Interesting. Who has been the biggest supporter of your writing? 

My parents have always encouraged me in my writing, even when I first started out as a middle schooler and my stories weren’t all that great. My husband has also been my biggest fan and without him having given me the push I needed. I probably wouldn’t have published when I did. I had just about given up hope of being an author when he encouraged me, and the rest is history.

Q. Do you hide any secrets in your books that only a few die-hard fans will find?

I don’t tend to hide any secrets, but in my contemporary romance books, I have my characters go through awkward or heartwarming moments that I have personally experienced.

Q. For an author, what do you think is worse – negative reviews or zero reviews?

Zero reviews for sure. Don’t get me wrong, negative reviews are never fun to receive but they also help readers decide if they should read your book or not. If one negative review steers like-minded readers away from reading your book since they wouldn’t enjoy it, it helps avoid other negative reviews. What some people hate about your book, others will love, and those are the readers you want reading your book anyways.

Q. What comes first for you — the plot or the characters — and why?

Honestly, it depends on the project, but as soon as I start mulling over a new plotline or a certain character takes root in my head, the rest of the story isn’t far to follow.

Q. How do you plan your plot and characters?

I am never without a notebook so I can scribble any ideas that pop into my head so I can think them over and mold them into a good concept/character for a story. I do tend to plot a rough outline for major events that need to happen during the span of the book, but as I write, I am open to a multitude of different ways to get to the final destination, if that makes sense. I tend to be a healthy mix of plotter and pantser.

Since I am a visual person, I like to use Pinterest to get some photo inspiration for characters and setting. It helps me organize my thoughts before I start writing the story itself.

Q. You got 100 points. You need to divide them on the basis of how relevant and important they are to you as a reader and a writer for your book or someone else’s as a reader. Your options are Plot/Story, Book Cover, Marketing, and, Reviews.

Ok, so as a writer, I’d say: Book Cover 30pts. It’s what catches a potential reader’s eye and persuades them to read the blurb.

Plot would be next with 20pts. Without a solid storyline, you’ll lose whatever reader picks your book up.

Dialogue is 20pts. I think character interaction is the lifeblood of the story (at least in the way I write). I like to create strong relationships and I want my readers to feel as if they know these characters like old friends. It also keeps readers engaged and not bogged down with heavy descriptions or inner monologues.

Marketing and Reviews I’d give a combined 30pts since I think they go hand in hand. Obviously, getting your book in front of readers is HUGE. If readers don’t know your book exists, they won’t read it. Reviews help attract the right reader who will enjoy your story and characters and recommend it to their friends and family, spreading the word about your work. All five of these categories is vital to a book being successful, but this is how I would rate them.

Q. So, now, about your book. Talk to us about it. No major spoilers.

So, I write both YA Epic Fantasy and Contemporary Rom-Coms.

My fantasy trilogy follows three siblings vying for the ancestral White Throne of Northwind. There’s action and adventure, betrayal and plot twists, lots of characters, distant and exotic kingdoms, magic, monsters, romance and even pirates. It’s perfect for fans of Game of Thrones, The Lord of the Rings, and Throne of Glass.

My Rom-Coms are witty and lighthearted. The type of tropes readers can find are enemies-to-lovers, fake dating, wedding date, her brother’s best friend, one bed, road trip, tropical getaways, big family vibes, holiday romance, forced proximity, he falls first, and of course, happily ever after.

Q. What part of the entire book publishing process, starting from the plot idea to the book anniversary, do you find tough or tricky?

The first blank page of starting a new project or series is the hardest part for me. Finding the perfect, captivating open line or paragraph can be tricky, and it ends up taking me the longest to get right. By the time I finish my first draft, I’ve probably changed the beginning chapter a few times before finding the one I like most and believe will draw readers in from the very first line.

Q. What is your kryptonite as a writer?

I’m easily distracted. It can be a shiny new idea for another story popping into my head or answering emails or responding to readers on Instagram, but I can be derailed from my writing time if I check for any notifications.

Q. What risks have you taken with your writing that have paid off?

Writing Contemporary Rom-Coms. I never intended to write or release my romances, but I had some ideas come to me and I rolled with it. So far, it’s a risk that paid off because readers have really enjoyed my rom-coms. I keep my romances clean (steamy with no explicit sex) because there are readers who are looking for fun, lighthearted romantic comedies without spice. I’m happy to provide that form of entertainment!

Q. Let’s talk about the process of writing. Do you do research while writing a book to add more authenticity? What kind and how far do you go – ever travelled to a foreign place or learned some skill, just for the sake of your book?

I definitely research locations for my contemporary romances, going so far as to do virtual tours of a museum for The Maine Attraction because my main character worked at that particular museum. I enjoyed the tour, but it helped me map out one of my scenes better and I felt it added another layer of authenticity to my character.

Q. What was your hardest scene to write?

I actually just finished writing the third book in the Mark of the Hunter Trilogy, The Raven and the Wolf, and there are a couple characters that die during the span of the war. It was really difficult to write those scenes because I’d grown so fond of them and in my own way, I was saying goodbye.

Q. What is the best money you’ve ever spent with regard to your writing?

The covers for my fantasy series, hands down! My artist @artzzofkae on Instagram is incredible. I had her do character art for me and then asked her if she would be willing to do my book covers. She’d never done covers before but took a chance and worked with me, which I’m forever grateful. They’re beautiful and capture my world and characters perfectly! Easy decision to make when it came to my writing budget.

Q. Well, this has been great. Now, before we wrap this up, do you have any suggestions to help someone become a better writer? If so, what are they?

Write the story you want to read. That’s what’s most important. At the end of the day, if you have a story that you are in love with, I guarantee others will fall in love with it too. Thank you so much for having me! I’ve had a lot of fun answering your questions!

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