Indie-Licious Interview with A.K. Morgen

 

About the Author: A.K. Morgen lives in Little Rock, Arkansas with her husband, three dogs, and demonic cat. She has a graduate degree in Criminal Justice and Law, and plans to save the world some day. When she’s not writing, she spends her time teaching her niece and nephews how to cause mischief. You can also find her dancing in the grocery store, building a spork army, and fundraising for nonprofits close to her heart

It is my pleasure to put A. K. Morgen, Author of FADE and her latest in the Ragnarök Prophecy series FALL, in the interview spotlight. Now let’s pick her creative brains and see what we can dig up, shall we?

1. 

      1. Can you sum up in a line or two what the Ragnarok Prophesies series is about? Does the story touch on Norse Mythology?

"The Ragnarök Prophesies series is about learning to trust yourself and letting go. Arionna Jacobs and Dace Matthews have been sent by Odin to guard against the apocalypse time and again, but their abilities have weakened while their enemies only grow stronger. Time is running out. Ragnarök is coming. And Arionna and Dace don’t even know where to begin fulfilling their destiny. How do you save the world when you can't even save yourself? Norse mythology plays a big role in the series, with many characters and myths from the Norse tales making an appearance"

2.      2. What inspired this series?

"The series was inspired partly by mythology, partly by wolves, and partly by my own desire to put these characters in a modern world and see how they deal. I love mythology, but the Norse myths are so complex, they tend to be overlooked by a lot of mythology fans. I thought this series would be a fun way to introduce some of my favorite characters in a way that makes them a little more relatable and real. We might not be able to identify with saving the world, but I think we can all identify with the lessons Ari and Dace learn along the way"

3.      3. My favorite question to ask: who would play your main characters in a movie?

"You know, I asked my readers the same question the other day, and they had a lot of interesting answers for me. Personally speaking, I think Troian Bellasario would make a great Ari. She's feisty, and could definitely stand up to Dace."

4.      4. Are some of the experiences in this series based in some parts of your own life? Do your characters own any of your traits?

"I started writing FADE after my grandfather passed away, so I was really able to identify with Ari in that regard. She loses her mom immediately before the series starts, and has to learn to live again when her heart is mangled. That was a lesson my family had to learn, and it can be pretty brutal. Beyond that, I think Ari shares my stubborn streak. When I want something badly enough, I don't stop until I get it. She's the same way, though she's probably a little less of a pain in the butt than I am. I drove my parents crazy as a kid, I really did."

         5. Was there a lot of research involved in writing this series?

"Oh, definitely. I researched Norse mythology, wolf behavior, apocalypse myths, folklore, fairy tales… so many different things have gone into the series, I've spent a lot of time buried in research. I'm a total nerd for saying this, but researching is probably one of my favorite things to do, so it’s not been a hardship or anything. :)"

Now let’s find out more about Ayden

1. How long have you been writing?

"I started writing in the first grade, when I realized that actual people wrote the books I loved. I published my first book locally when I was twelve, and just haven't stopped writing since." 

2. What first inspired you to write?

"I wanted an elephant as a kid, but my mom wouldn’t let me have one, so I wrote myself an elephant. I felt incredibly defiant. It was nice. As I've grown older, the things that inspire me to write have changed, but there's always been that hint of defiance, I think. I mean, I mix Norse mythology with concepts of Christianity. I write about real Mexican drug cartels, abuse… Anything that people maybe think shouldn't be done because of the sensitive nature of the content, I like to find a way to do that's respectful but realistic. People don't grow if their preconceived ideas aren't challenged at least once in a while, right?"

3. What was your favorite book growing up?

"I loved the Wizard of Oz series. It's still one of my favorites. I also loved reading the classics, Prince and the Pauper, a Connecticut Yankee, the Iliad… I think I was born a nerd. :) One of my favorite kid books was Goblins in the Castle. It was such a fun story!"

4. Besides your own, what is your favorite book right now?

"I love Becca Fitzpatrick's Hush, Hush series. I'm also a huge fan of Sempre by J.M. Darhower. That story absolutely wrecks me, but I can't stop reading it! I'm really excited to dive into EVADE by Jessa Russo, the second book in the EVER trilogy."

5. Can you give a tip or advice to new writers?

"There will always be plenty of people out there to tell you that you can't do it, or that you shouldn't do it. Ignore those people and write anyway. Even if you only ever write for you, don't let anyone else tell you what you can or can't do.  They're wrong."

              Just for fun.

1. This question was recently inspired by a Halloween interview I just did. If you had to play the lead role in a horror flick/book, which one would it be?

"Oh my gosh, can I say none of them?! I can't even watch horror movies without having nightmares. No way do I want to actually be in one! If I absolutely have to choose, I'm going with Hocus Pocus. That one stopped being scary to me a long time ago."

2. If you had to play the lead in a romance movie, which one would it be?

"Tristan and Isolde. I think that is one of the most romantic, tragic stories ever told."

3. Has music inspired any part of FADE/FALL? If so, which songs?

"Oh, yes! I'm a big music fan, so I always have something playing when I write. Certain songs can help you focus on a concept or feeling so well, I think. One of the songs I think fits the entire series is Tears of an Angel by Ryandan. It's such a beautiful song."

4. What do you like to do besides write?

"I love to volunteer with organizations whose causes speak to me. I also love to hike, watch ridiculous movies with the husband, and teach my nieces and nephews things their mothers often want to throttle me for teaching them. I mean, for two years my nephew thought Mommy was spelled L-O-S-E-R. Do you have any idea how much fun I had with that?! Oh man, my sister wanted to kill me. It was awesome.  I also love to swim, dance, read, spoil my animals, and cause mischief with my partners-in-crime. I love having fun. :) Job wise, I work in the social work field. I help transition people from nursing homes back into the community when that's a viable option. It's such a rewarding career. I also work part time as a volunteer coordinator for the Ronald McDonald House here. It's such an amazing organization."

5. Do you have other writing projects up your sleeve?

"I do. Aside from the Ragnarök Prophesies series, I'm working my way through a series based on the War Scroll, which is one of the Dead Sea Scrolls. There's a lethal virus, fallen angels, demons, and the possibility of the Christian apocalypse involved in that one.

I'm also editing my way through a crime trilogy about a ballerina and an undercover DEA Agent forced to team up to stop a dangerous new drug being manufactured by a crime family in Seattle. It's definitely an adult series though. It's pretty risqué."

How do you save someone who doesn't want to be saved?

Those called to stand guard against the end are broken, and Sköll and Hati run free. Now Arionna Jacobs and Dace Matthews face a threat unlike any before. Ragnarök is coming and they aren't strong enough to stop it.

Arionna thought she understood sacrifice, but she never counted on her destiny tearing Dace apart. Ever since she nearly died, he has been consumed with guilt. Now it threatens to turn him into the monster he always feared.

It's up to Arionna to stop him before it's too late, but the path to hell is paved with good intentions, and Dace is hurtling toward self destruction. This time, Arionna isn't sure she can save him from himself. Can she convince him to let the past go, or is her true destiny to sacrifice her heart in exchange for the lives of the people she loves?

FALL – The Ragnarök Prophesies: Book Two is now available at Amazon and Barnes and Noble.  FADE – The Ragnarök Prophesies: Book One is available now at Amazon US, Barnes and Noble, and Kobo.

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