Unlock Your Inner Storyteller: Brittney Morris Reveals the Secrets to Writing That Captivates
Today’s Write Now interview features Brittney Morris, author of THIS BOOK MIGHT BE ABOUT ZINNIA.
Who are you?
My name is Brittney Morris, I’m an award-winning author and video game writer, and I’m based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania!
What do you write?
I write primarily YA, although I’m currently drafting my first adult. It’s a paranormal pitched as Van Helsing meets the Golden Bachelorette. As with video games, I don’t think any words or themes are off limits in the world of books — in fact, if we can’t explore the edges of our earth through books, where can we? Writing was my first love. The day I figured out that someone had to actually create all of the magical books I saw on the library walls, I decided I wanted to do that forever. And I still want to. Every day. It feels like directing a movie with an unlimited budget. I have just one tool: words. They’re an unlimited resource, and throughout my life they’re the only thing that have come easy to me.
Where do you write?
Much of my writing is done curled up in bed in the least ergonomic position you can dream of, because of who I am as a person. It’s just me, Microsoft Word, and a coffee. Or, if I’ve stolen time away from my kiddo to retreat to a cafe, it’s just me, Microsoft Word, and a latte, in a considerably more ergonomic position (hopefully). If I’m aiming for locked-in productivity, I listen to my latest hyperfixation song on repeat with headphones, or if I’m meandering through ideas as I write or workshopping a scene that hasn’t quite come together yet, I’m watching someone play through a video game. Lately it’s been Fears to Fathom and Black Myth Wukong.
When do you write?
I don’t generally set time limits, but sometimes I’ll work in 15-minute sprints. I only set a word count goal if I’m working on a first draft under a tight deadline, which is a situation I try to avoid. I prefer to set my own deadlines whenever I can, but now that I think about it, who doesn’t? My favorite time of day to write is first thing in the morning. I’m one of those feral 5am folks. Usually I’ll stay for a few hours before getting outside and…
