Interview Questions:
1. Let’s start with a little something about you. What do you want the readers to know?
Certainly no more than I'd tell the local and federal authorities. Please add that I was smiling when I typed that bit of irreverence which shall be a recurring theme throughout this interview.
I realized I wanted to be a writer since I was in 7th grade. Since then, I've written grant proposals, advertising (print, TV, radio, internet), business plans, screenplays, short stories, reviews, audio plays, interviews, and now books. If I sold milk and bread, I'd be one-stop shopping.
A couple of years ago, after losing the day job due to a corporation de-organization (Bitter? Not me), I decided to become a full-time writer/publisher and it's been unicorns and rainbows ever since. I'm still smiling, please note.
2. Now? Tell us about your book(s).
My first was BLOODSHOT: THE COLDEST WARRIOR, an action/adventure book based on the Valiant Comics character, via the Kindle Worlds program. It's about a nanite-enhanced one-man WMD who discovers a clue to his own mysterious past via a man with the nicest lawn in town.
After that, I released SANTASTEIN via my own Freelance Words imprint. A peculiar retelling of the Mary Shelley classic, Dr. Frankenstein discovers a cure for the holiday blues. What could possibly go wrong?
I also want to mention that I have a couple of stories in a collection called WITH GREAT POWER. Each tale follows the path of a single copy of Amazing Fantasy #15, which features the origin story of Spider-Man, and how that particular book influences its owners.
3. List of favorites…
A. Quote? "The only problem with always being on time is that no one is around to appreciate it." Frank Thaves
B. Color? Superman blue, just like my eyes. The runner up is Superman Cape Red … also just like my eyes.
C. Food? I think I'm part Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle because I could probably live on pizza.
D. Lucky number? Fifty-six, the year I was born. Now what century that fell in, I'm not telling.
E. Movie? Actor? Actress?
My fave movie changes almost with the wind. But most of the time, it's probably The Rocketeer, Arsenic and Old Lace or the original Miracle on 34th Street. I'm so retro.
Actor, same thing. These days, I'm liking David Tenant most.
Actress, I've been hot for Julie Newmeyer since I was a pre-hormonal lad. I got to meet her a few years ago and she's still gorgeous. Plus, she's smart and VERY talented, if under appreciated. I'd pay to hear her read the phone book.
F. Song? "We Are the Champions" by Queen.
G. Memory? Probably my wedding. We planned our own and it began with everyone showing up at practically the last minute and ended with almost mutilating two of my friends. In between, we had laughs, the reverend misspelling his own name on the wedding certificate, a cat fight, my mother's ashes posing for family pictures, and all manner of fol-de-rol. There's probably a screenplay in this.
H. Way to spend your down time? Oddly enough, writing. Down time, work time, not much difference to me.
I. Word? "Prevarication" is pretty good.
J. Author? Warren Murphy and Harlan Ellison a very close second. This too changes frequently.
K. Secret indulgence? I don't have one since all my indulgences are fairly public. And often frightening.
L. Perfume/cologne? Old Spice.
M. Place you’ve visited? Metropolis, Illinois.
N. Guilty pleasure? Lee's Chicken Chicken Strips Meal with potato wedges … except I feel little guilt or shame. Come to think of it, I feel very little shame about a lot of things, most of which I should.
O. Cartoon? Pinky and the Brain.
4. Do you have any rituals when you write?
If you don't count plotting each step of the way and then abandoning the plot once the characters get inside my head and demote me from "author" to "transcriber," then I have none. Except drinking enough coffee in a day to keep a large metropolitan city awake for a week … okay, I have one.
5. What/who encouraged you to be a writer and what/who inspires you to keep writing?
My late mother was always very positive about my writing, as is my wife Cookie. She still reads my work, shakes her head, and mutters, "That's just wrong," but she encourages me just the same.
What inspires me to continue to write is the positive feedback I get from my readers, all of whom I adore so thoroughly, it's almost on a molecular level.
6. Writing plans for the future?
In the next couple of months, I will have SKYMAN BATTLES THE MASTER OF STEAM out, based on the old Columbia Comics/Ace Comics character. It's a pulp-flavored adventure yarn about a young scientist/adventurer who must battle a Nazi plot to steal America's scientists.
I'm also releasing a series of short superhero stories called Archtypical Musings where I tell stories of our favorite varieties of pop culture superheroes, but reducing them to their archetypes. I hope it reads better than I make it sound.
But just so anyone starts to worry that I've run out of ideas, I am working on a book that should skewer alien invasion stories in the way that SANTASTEIN kinda takes indecent liberties with the horror and holiday genres. I'm also writing another Bloodshot tale simply because I dig the character. I just hope I live long enough to tell all the stories I want.
7. What is your opinion on S’mores? Burnt marshmallow or not?
You mean there is a S'more that doesn't involve burning the marshmallow to bring out the exquisite flavor of the dish? I shall brook no more heresy of this manner.
8. Tell us a story about something you’ve witnessed that made you laugh.
A friend I were helping someone move out of their house and we were assigned the second floor, a decision fraught with horrendous potential. A trash can was thoughtfully placed below our window and we decided that carrying things downstairs repeatedly was a chump's game. So we began hurling stuff out that the owner no longer wanted, which grew more amusing as we progressed.
Tossing the aquarium was really hilarious. It landed perfectly in the center of the trash can. But the topper was the metal pole that swiftly followed. The metal landed in the direct center of the aquarium so deeply that if someone had managed to extricate it, they probably would be ruling England today. But the perfection of the tosses left us helpless with laughter.
I cannot say our hosts were quite as amused. We didn't care.
9. Most embarrassing moment ever?
My most embarrassing moment was probably in high school when some friends found that if you touched one fingertip to the laboratory refrigerator (which had a short in it) and another fingertip to the nearby metal window sill, you could receive a mild tingly electric shock. This was what passed for "fun" in a small town in the '70s.
Not being particularly good at following instructions, I gripped the door handle and clamped the other onto the window frame.
When I came to several minutes later, I suppose I'd been quiet too long and someone decided to check on me in the back of the laboratory. I guess I was doing the 20 amp boogie and someone had to break my contact to stop me from being electrocuted.
At least this is what I was told. I seem to have been unconscious through most of this escapade. But that was a little silly of me and I felt a tad uncomfortable about it afterwards It's not something I'd gleefully put on my resume, unless there was a place for "dumbass". Ah, the folly of youth (and surviving it).
10. You can teleport anywhere and any era you wish. You can only bring 3 things with you. Where do you go and what do you bring?
I would probably travel to the latter part of the American 17th Century so I could fully research the time period for a book I desperately want to write. I would take my laptop, an electrical generator that ran on entropy – since we're talking time travel and teleportation, I'm stacking the proverbial deck in my favor – and a TARDIS so I can not only get home, but bring companions – I mean friends and family – to enjoy my other journeys with me.
11. What are your feelings about chocolate milk?
Chocolate milk is like sex. Good chocolate milk is amazing and cheap chocolate milk is still pretty good.
12. Pet person? Do you have them? If so, tell us about them?
I am barely able to maintain myself so I am loathe to endanger some innocent animal who would probably be better off in the wilderness than my own home. I'm no housekeeper so for one thing, being outside would be cleaner.
I had a pet dog when I was about four years old. The animal was kind and loving until its pack friends came around and then he'd join them in chasing me up a fence. There's probably a metaphor for life in there or possibly high school.
13. Tell us about your first kiss.
I'm told it was my mother when I was an infant. I don't remember much about it. I don't remember much about my first adult kiss either. My heart would be broken if the other party didn't remember it as well. But given one's other "first times," this would probably be par for this particular course.
14. Have you ever walked down a toy aisle at a store and pushed all the buttons?
Wait one minute! You mean you're NOT supposed to??? Why am I always the last to learn these things???
15. It’s raining outside, you’re completely alone, what do you do?
I step outside, luxuriate in the warm rain, then yell, "SHAZAM!" at the top of my lungs and hope for the best.
I did this once as a teenager and was rewarded with a peal of thunder. I should probably be grateful I wasn't electrocuted then either.
16. Words of wisdom for our readers?
Never stop pursuing your dream. Never be afraid to leave behind those who would prevent you from achieving your goals. Never stop paying it forward and being a good example for those who want to be creative.
Be positive because it makes those around you happier and it really cheeses off those who really need to be annoyed on a regular basis.
And don't be stupid around electricity.
Thanks for the GREAT questions! :)
*************************************************************************************************
Brian K. Morris Bio
Brian K. Morris (that's me!) realized he wanted to be a writer in seventh grade when it occurred to him that properly connected words had power over an audience. The following decades were spent convincing others of his sincerity.
Never wanting to be "that guy who wrote (fill in the blank)," I wanted to be that guy who wrote EVERYTHING. I've written ads for print / radio / TV, business plans, pre-burial arrangement contracts, website copy, small press comic books, short stories, pop culture articles, interviews, audio adventure scripts, newsletters, promotions, anything that sounded interesting.
I've had my work published in magazines such as BACK ISSUE Magazine, Hogan's Alley, Knights of the Dinner Table, WHOtopia, The Jack Kirby Collector, and many other magazines in varying degrees of obscurity. In addition, my work has been seen in The Krypton Companion (where I interviewed some of artist Curt Swan's inkers) and a couple of short stories in the With Great Power anthology (a series of stories following a copy of Amazing Fantasy #15 from owner to owner).
Also, I've had several short plays produced. My first play received an award, I'm delighted to say. It seems one of the actors vanished and the director stepped in during the last week of rehearsals. Well, he accidentally skipped three pages of dialogue (they only set up the theme of the play along with took care of some exposition and gave the foundation for a joke later in the script ... nothing important), leaving the other actors trying to cover.
Well, I received the award for not killing the director. Fact is, I was so nervous about how the play would be received that I didn't even notice. Good sport, oblivious, you be the judge.
I'm moving into new directions for my writing in my Freelance Words imprint as well as more stories in the Kindle Worlds universes. Please join me.
I also plan to restart my blog on the creative process when I have nothing else to do ... so far, I have been unburdened by an excess of time.
Currently, I am a full-time freelance writer and I look forward to hearing what you think of my work. Please be gentle.
I am also a member of the Script Development Team with Audio Movies, LLC, bringing excitement to the silverest of screens.
Don't let anyone steal your dream ... you have greatness within you.
You can find Brian's books and bio here --> http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00FS1U0NI
Thanks for taking the time to share this with us, Brian! Your answers ROCKED!!! It was a pleasure to have you here. Keep us up to date with your work, please?
1. Let’s start with a little something about you. What do you want the readers to know?
Certainly no more than I'd tell the local and federal authorities. Please add that I was smiling when I typed that bit of irreverence which shall be a recurring theme throughout this interview.
I realized I wanted to be a writer since I was in 7th grade. Since then, I've written grant proposals, advertising (print, TV, radio, internet), business plans, screenplays, short stories, reviews, audio plays, interviews, and now books. If I sold milk and bread, I'd be one-stop shopping.
A couple of years ago, after losing the day job due to a corporation de-organization (Bitter? Not me), I decided to become a full-time writer/publisher and it's been unicorns and rainbows ever since. I'm still smiling, please note.
2. Now? Tell us about your book(s).
My first was BLOODSHOT: THE COLDEST WARRIOR, an action/adventure book based on the Valiant Comics character, via the Kindle Worlds program. It's about a nanite-enhanced one-man WMD who discovers a clue to his own mysterious past via a man with the nicest lawn in town.
After that, I released SANTASTEIN via my own Freelance Words imprint. A peculiar retelling of the Mary Shelley classic, Dr. Frankenstein discovers a cure for the holiday blues. What could possibly go wrong?
I also want to mention that I have a couple of stories in a collection called WITH GREAT POWER. Each tale follows the path of a single copy of Amazing Fantasy #15, which features the origin story of Spider-Man, and how that particular book influences its owners.
3. List of favorites…
A. Quote? "The only problem with always being on time is that no one is around to appreciate it." Frank Thaves
B. Color? Superman blue, just like my eyes. The runner up is Superman Cape Red … also just like my eyes.
C. Food? I think I'm part Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle because I could probably live on pizza.
D. Lucky number? Fifty-six, the year I was born. Now what century that fell in, I'm not telling.
E. Movie? Actor? Actress?
My fave movie changes almost with the wind. But most of the time, it's probably The Rocketeer, Arsenic and Old Lace or the original Miracle on 34th Street. I'm so retro.
Actor, same thing. These days, I'm liking David Tenant most.
Actress, I've been hot for Julie Newmeyer since I was a pre-hormonal lad. I got to meet her a few years ago and she's still gorgeous. Plus, she's smart and VERY talented, if under appreciated. I'd pay to hear her read the phone book.
F. Song? "We Are the Champions" by Queen.
G. Memory? Probably my wedding. We planned our own and it began with everyone showing up at practically the last minute and ended with almost mutilating two of my friends. In between, we had laughs, the reverend misspelling his own name on the wedding certificate, a cat fight, my mother's ashes posing for family pictures, and all manner of fol-de-rol. There's probably a screenplay in this.
H. Way to spend your down time? Oddly enough, writing. Down time, work time, not much difference to me.
I. Word? "Prevarication" is pretty good.
J. Author? Warren Murphy and Harlan Ellison a very close second. This too changes frequently.
K. Secret indulgence? I don't have one since all my indulgences are fairly public. And often frightening.
L. Perfume/cologne? Old Spice.
M. Place you’ve visited? Metropolis, Illinois.
N. Guilty pleasure? Lee's Chicken Chicken Strips Meal with potato wedges … except I feel little guilt or shame. Come to think of it, I feel very little shame about a lot of things, most of which I should.
O. Cartoon? Pinky and the Brain.
4. Do you have any rituals when you write?
If you don't count plotting each step of the way and then abandoning the plot once the characters get inside my head and demote me from "author" to "transcriber," then I have none. Except drinking enough coffee in a day to keep a large metropolitan city awake for a week … okay, I have one.
5. What/who encouraged you to be a writer and what/who inspires you to keep writing?
My late mother was always very positive about my writing, as is my wife Cookie. She still reads my work, shakes her head, and mutters, "That's just wrong," but she encourages me just the same.
What inspires me to continue to write is the positive feedback I get from my readers, all of whom I adore so thoroughly, it's almost on a molecular level.
6. Writing plans for the future?
In the next couple of months, I will have SKYMAN BATTLES THE MASTER OF STEAM out, based on the old Columbia Comics/Ace Comics character. It's a pulp-flavored adventure yarn about a young scientist/adventurer who must battle a Nazi plot to steal America's scientists.
I'm also releasing a series of short superhero stories called Archtypical Musings where I tell stories of our favorite varieties of pop culture superheroes, but reducing them to their archetypes. I hope it reads better than I make it sound.
But just so anyone starts to worry that I've run out of ideas, I am working on a book that should skewer alien invasion stories in the way that SANTASTEIN kinda takes indecent liberties with the horror and holiday genres. I'm also writing another Bloodshot tale simply because I dig the character. I just hope I live long enough to tell all the stories I want.
7. What is your opinion on S’mores? Burnt marshmallow or not?
You mean there is a S'more that doesn't involve burning the marshmallow to bring out the exquisite flavor of the dish? I shall brook no more heresy of this manner.
8. Tell us a story about something you’ve witnessed that made you laugh.
A friend I were helping someone move out of their house and we were assigned the second floor, a decision fraught with horrendous potential. A trash can was thoughtfully placed below our window and we decided that carrying things downstairs repeatedly was a chump's game. So we began hurling stuff out that the owner no longer wanted, which grew more amusing as we progressed.
Tossing the aquarium was really hilarious. It landed perfectly in the center of the trash can. But the topper was the metal pole that swiftly followed. The metal landed in the direct center of the aquarium so deeply that if someone had managed to extricate it, they probably would be ruling England today. But the perfection of the tosses left us helpless with laughter.
I cannot say our hosts were quite as amused. We didn't care.
9. Most embarrassing moment ever?
My most embarrassing moment was probably in high school when some friends found that if you touched one fingertip to the laboratory refrigerator (which had a short in it) and another fingertip to the nearby metal window sill, you could receive a mild tingly electric shock. This was what passed for "fun" in a small town in the '70s.
Not being particularly good at following instructions, I gripped the door handle and clamped the other onto the window frame.
When I came to several minutes later, I suppose I'd been quiet too long and someone decided to check on me in the back of the laboratory. I guess I was doing the 20 amp boogie and someone had to break my contact to stop me from being electrocuted.
At least this is what I was told. I seem to have been unconscious through most of this escapade. But that was a little silly of me and I felt a tad uncomfortable about it afterwards It's not something I'd gleefully put on my resume, unless there was a place for "dumbass". Ah, the folly of youth (and surviving it).
10. You can teleport anywhere and any era you wish. You can only bring 3 things with you. Where do you go and what do you bring?
I would probably travel to the latter part of the American 17th Century so I could fully research the time period for a book I desperately want to write. I would take my laptop, an electrical generator that ran on entropy – since we're talking time travel and teleportation, I'm stacking the proverbial deck in my favor – and a TARDIS so I can not only get home, but bring companions – I mean friends and family – to enjoy my other journeys with me.
11. What are your feelings about chocolate milk?
Chocolate milk is like sex. Good chocolate milk is amazing and cheap chocolate milk is still pretty good.
12. Pet person? Do you have them? If so, tell us about them?
I am barely able to maintain myself so I am loathe to endanger some innocent animal who would probably be better off in the wilderness than my own home. I'm no housekeeper so for one thing, being outside would be cleaner.
I had a pet dog when I was about four years old. The animal was kind and loving until its pack friends came around and then he'd join them in chasing me up a fence. There's probably a metaphor for life in there or possibly high school.
13. Tell us about your first kiss.
I'm told it was my mother when I was an infant. I don't remember much about it. I don't remember much about my first adult kiss either. My heart would be broken if the other party didn't remember it as well. But given one's other "first times," this would probably be par for this particular course.
14. Have you ever walked down a toy aisle at a store and pushed all the buttons?
Wait one minute! You mean you're NOT supposed to??? Why am I always the last to learn these things???
15. It’s raining outside, you’re completely alone, what do you do?
I step outside, luxuriate in the warm rain, then yell, "SHAZAM!" at the top of my lungs and hope for the best.
I did this once as a teenager and was rewarded with a peal of thunder. I should probably be grateful I wasn't electrocuted then either.
16. Words of wisdom for our readers?
Never stop pursuing your dream. Never be afraid to leave behind those who would prevent you from achieving your goals. Never stop paying it forward and being a good example for those who want to be creative.
Be positive because it makes those around you happier and it really cheeses off those who really need to be annoyed on a regular basis.
And don't be stupid around electricity.
Thanks for the GREAT questions! :)
*************************************************************************************************
Brian K. Morris Bio
Brian K. Morris (that's me!) realized he wanted to be a writer in seventh grade when it occurred to him that properly connected words had power over an audience. The following decades were spent convincing others of his sincerity.
Never wanting to be "that guy who wrote (fill in the blank)," I wanted to be that guy who wrote EVERYTHING. I've written ads for print / radio / TV, business plans, pre-burial arrangement contracts, website copy, small press comic books, short stories, pop culture articles, interviews, audio adventure scripts, newsletters, promotions, anything that sounded interesting.
I've had my work published in magazines such as BACK ISSUE Magazine, Hogan's Alley, Knights of the Dinner Table, WHOtopia, The Jack Kirby Collector, and many other magazines in varying degrees of obscurity. In addition, my work has been seen in The Krypton Companion (where I interviewed some of artist Curt Swan's inkers) and a couple of short stories in the With Great Power anthology (a series of stories following a copy of Amazing Fantasy #15 from owner to owner).
Also, I've had several short plays produced. My first play received an award, I'm delighted to say. It seems one of the actors vanished and the director stepped in during the last week of rehearsals. Well, he accidentally skipped three pages of dialogue (they only set up the theme of the play along with took care of some exposition and gave the foundation for a joke later in the script ... nothing important), leaving the other actors trying to cover.
Well, I received the award for not killing the director. Fact is, I was so nervous about how the play would be received that I didn't even notice. Good sport, oblivious, you be the judge.
I'm moving into new directions for my writing in my Freelance Words imprint as well as more stories in the Kindle Worlds universes. Please join me.
I also plan to restart my blog on the creative process when I have nothing else to do ... so far, I have been unburdened by an excess of time.
Currently, I am a full-time freelance writer and I look forward to hearing what you think of my work. Please be gentle.
I am also a member of the Script Development Team with Audio Movies, LLC, bringing excitement to the silverest of screens.
Don't let anyone steal your dream ... you have greatness within you.
You can find Brian's books and bio here --> http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00FS1U0NI
Thanks for taking the time to share this with us, Brian! Your answers ROCKED!!! It was a pleasure to have you here. Keep us up to date with your work, please?