Meet Briana Morgan.
Hi Briana! Thanks for joining us today. Tell us a little about yourself.
Hi there! My name is Briana Morgan. I’m a young adult horror and fantasy author, freelance editor, and playwright with a passion for all things spooky. When not writing or editing, you can find me on Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram.
The Interview.
If you could use only one horror trope for a year – what would it be and why?
The final girl trope! Females are strong as hell, and I love writing badass heroines.
How has your experience as a writing coach strengthened or weakened you as a writer?
Helping other people work through problems in their process and manuscripts has only helped me as a writer. It’s always encouraging to see how many people struggle with similar issues as me, and sometimes while I’m researching or talking through an issue with a client, I’ll discover solutions I hadn’t considered before.
Fantasy vs. Horror – what genre wins in the ultimate battle of wills?
At this point, fantasy, since I have completed two fantasy manuscripts. However, I’m planning to write mostly horror from now on, so… horror.
Were there any books that really spoke to you this year from a reader’s standpoint?
I’ve been reading a lot of female-authored horror, and one of my favorite books I’ve read this year (though it wasn’t published this year) is The Awesome by Eva Darrows. It has a fun voice and Supernatural vibes and I couldn’t put it down.
What was the hardest thing you had to learn as you balanced being an author with your freelance services? What are you still learning?
It can be hard to make time for everything. Some days, nothing gets done, but that’s okay. This year, I’m learning how to take breaks, and that the world won’t end if I miss a day of writing or editing for someone.
Out of your published works, do you have a favorite or a particular book that has really stuck with you?
My favorite book I’ve written is Reflections. I learned so much about myself writing that book, and I think it has the best message in terms of emotional impact.
What was it like writing your very first play?
Strange, mostly. I didn’t think I’d ever write a play, but I had toyed with the concept of Touch for years. At first, I planned for it to be a short story, but the idea lends itself more to being staged and witnessed in real time, if that makes sense. It also started as a three-act play, which I condensed to one act. Funny enough, Touch is my shortest work, yet it is the most frequently discussed, performed, and adapted. I’m planning to do more plays in the future.
With the different hats you juggle – author, editor, coach, playwright – has any particular role challenged you this year?
I hinted toward this a little in my previous answer, but I haven’t been lending time to the playwright version of myself. I’ve been chipping away at a YA contemporary manuscript, editing for clients, and coaching writers, with little time left over for playwriting. Like I mentioned, I’m hoping to write more plays soon.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with the readers today?
Do yourself a favor and read more horror books by women! Especially queer women and women of color. There is a treasure trove of books just waiting to be discovered, and it kills me that the boys are still running things. It’s 2019. Let’s change this together.
Raven C. Eckman 