Author 20 Questions with Holly D Morgan

With the recent release of her debut book One Spark, indie author Holly D. Morgan played Author 20 Questions to talk about her novel, writing, and how to handle doubt. 

1) Describe One Spark in 10 words or less for people just learning about it.

Emotions have literal powers and can tear families apart.

2) Where did the idea for One Spark come from? 

I started writing One Spark during a particularly rough patch of parenting. My household is full of neurodiversity (ADHD, Autism, Gifted) and my kids were having an extra hard time at school because they feel their emotions deeply and quickly. They were (and are) still learning how to regulate their emotions and how to respond to changes and situations. It was hard for me as a parent to try and figure out what the best choices for them are, let alone imagine how hard it must be for them to not be in control when they are upset. That’s where this idea came from. What if we couldn’t hide our emotions? What if our emotions created powers that put other people at risk? How would the world respond? 

3) Were you a writer when you were younger?

I LOVED reading as a kid. I would devour books. My mom would yell at me for reading in my bed at night with the lights off - I don’t know how I did this, but yes I wear glasses now. I would write short stories and scenes, but never thought I could write a full novel. I would start a book, then get a few pages in and forget about it… whoops. Then in college, I wrote essays and short stories for my classes (elementary education major). I would often get good feedback about my writing, but still didn’t think writing full books was for me. So grateful I took the plunge 10 years later and gave it a try! I’ve found a new love of writing and it’s helped me feel more like myself throughout the struggles of parenting. I can be a mom and a writer.

4) What books did you grow up reading?

Harry Potter, of course! It was big when I was young. I also love Twilight and The Hunger Games. I remember reading the whole Chronicles of Narnia series in junior high, as well as the A Wrinkle in Time series. Also enjoyed the Percy Jackson series. Apparently I really like series, or at least they are the ones I can remember.

5) What surprised you about your Kickstarter Campaign?

The fact that I got over 73 backers! That’s 73 people that want to read MY book! I went into it thinking if I could break $1,000 that would be amazing for a debut author’s first book. $2,000 would really be a stretch. I still can’t believe I raised $3,313 at the end of it! And I was able to put that money toward the book to make it truly shine. I’ll be forever grateful for my Kickstarter backers for making this book possible!

6) What was the best money you ever spent as a writer?

Hiring a cover artist! I absolutely LOVE my cover, Benita Thompson with Kairos Book Designs blew it out of the park! She was so great to work with, even though I was probably a pain with the amount of revisions I asked for. She was able to do it all and created a truly unique and perfect cover! I still catch myself staring at it. I would also say my professional line/copy editor, Angela Morse with An Encouraging Thought Editing Services. It’s important to have that professional read through to make sure everything is consistent and flows well.

7) What was the most challenging scene of One Spark for you to write, and how did you overcome it?

This is a good question. There were some hard scenes for me to write because I really try to get into my character’s heads. The ones that were probably hardest were the ones with Jemma being a mom to her boys, especially when Ben is gone. The loneliness and struggles of motherhood really caught up to her, and I had to recall the struggles I have as a mom and imagine what it’d be like if my husband was missing. But she did it. She took care of her kids because she didn’t have any other choice. And she reached out for help from others around her.

8) What difference do you see between a writer and an author?

I guess I don’t really think about this one much. I would say authors are writers. Are all writers also authors? Not necessarily. Perhaps author comes once someone has finished writing a piece? Then they’ve authored it. I don’t know, use the term you want.

9) How many hours a day do you write?

Being a busy mom, I write when I can get time. My youngest is in preschool 3 days a week now, so I try to make use of those 3 hours and write at the library. Other than that, my husband is amazing and will help with kids so I have more time to work on my stories. 

10) What one thing would you give up to become a better writer?

Interesting question. If I gave up social media I could probably become a better writer though having more time to write haha But then, I wouldn’t be able to find my readers as well without that social media presence. Plus, I’ve become a better writer through others I’ve met there. And I love connecting with readers and hearing their thoughts and responses to my stories. So, I guess that’s not a good answer.

11) How did you come up with the title One Spark?

Titles are HARD! It took me a couple drafts before I finally decided One Spark was the title. It has multiple meanings within the story, it takes one spark to start a change, the spark between my main characters (Jemma and Ben), actual sparks when it comes to electric powers, etc. I also searched for my title to make sure it wasn’t already in use, which surprisingly at the time I didn’t find it being used by other books. “Spark” is common in titles, but not One Spark together.

12) Can you share a behind-the-scenes anecdote or interesting fact about the creation of One Spark?

One Spark would never have been written if it weren’t for my bestie, Kimberleigh Dixon. She was working on revising and editing her first novel and asked me to be her alpha reader/critique partner. Through working with her and seeing her process, I realised ‘I kinda like this writing thing’. And that’s when the idea for One Spark started growing in my mind. Then, she challenged me to Nano in 2022 and I finished the first draft!

13) Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want?

I’m not a big follower of tropes. I’m a pantser when I write, which means I don’t really know much of the story before I start typing. I often surprise myself with where the story goes, and I love it. So I’d say more original. Plus, a dystopian with adult/parent main characters? Can’t say I’ve seen many of those. Really though, finding comp titles was hard.

14) What is the most difficult part of your artistic process?

Focus. I have so many things I want to work on and do that I end up feeling paralysed on where to start. It may be a bit of ADHD, I don’t know. I’ve never been officially diagnosed, but considering my siblings are all getting their “formal” diagnosis and my husband and kids have it, and I relate to many things about it… Odds are, I’m odd. Okay, not saying ADHD makes someone odd, just saying I am… oh goodness am I rambling? I tried to keep myself from doing that… So, focus. Focusing is hard. And getting disrupted once I am finally focusing… makes it that much harder to get back into the groove. 

15) Is there anything you would like people to take away from One Spark?

I’d like people to know that it’s okay to feel. That emotions can be hard and can cause some messes, but it is possible to learn to control your emotions and there is beauty in them. They are there to keep us safe, even though our brains don’t always know the best time to use them. I also hope they see the bond of family and healing from trauma. But also, I want people to have a good time while reading! That “I can’t put this down” feeling with a book. I’ve had a few ARC readers tell me they finished it in a day because they HAD to know what was going to happen.

16) If you’re planning a sequel to One Spark, can you share a tiny bit about your plans for it?

There will be 3 books in this series! Plus a prequel novella about a couple characters you meet in One Spark (I cannot reveal who at this time because spoilers). I have the first draft of book 2 done. Next step is revising, which I’m slowly working on. But we will have 4 POVs we go into and explore. To compare, One Spark has 3 POVs: Jemma, Ben, and Grandma Margaret. Jemma and Ben will still be there in book 2, plus two new ones. And we will get to explore more of the other Republics, which I’m excited about.

17) What has been the toughest criticism you have received as an author?

This is a hard question because I feel like I can take feedback well, at least when it’s given intentionally to help. I understand that everyone has different tastes and preferences as well (Enneagram type 9 here). One time I did enter a beginning of book contest where you submit your first 500 words and one of the judges did not understand the scene (for a YA fantasy project) and said I might need to think about rewriting the whole thing. But then another judge said she loved it and gave me 100% of the points. Writing is subjective and if mine isn’t for you, that’s okay. Go find what will work for you.

18) How do you combat doubt spirals?

Have a praise folder! Not that I’ve created mine yet, but it’s a recommendation I’ve been hearing lately and agree could be so helpful. Words from others who have loved your work to reflect on when that doubt is creeping in. It’s one thing to say I’m wrong and my book is garbage, it’s another thing to say all these other people are wrong and their opinions are garbage. I mean, we might want to pretend they are just being nice, but come on. They aren’t. You are a great writer and you’ve got this! And also remembering that imposter syndrome is something EVERYONE faces. No one really knows what they are doing until they do it. At least that’s what I tell myself cuz I have no idea what I’m doing half the time. I just do it and hope it turns out well. Sometimes it doesn’t, and guess what? I’m still here. I’m still going. And there’s so many more good things awaiting me.

19) How many unpublished and half-finished books do you have?

I have my YA fantasy that is partly finished and keeps yelling at me to come back to it… I have a couple more stories I’ve started but haven’t gotten too far on. Then of course I have the first draft of book 2 done. And I’m hoping to draft One Spark’s prequel and book 3 in November/December. So let’s say 5ish? Then my long list of other book ideas that eventually I may get to.

20) What projects are you currently working on, and can you offer any hints or teasers for your upcoming work?

Revising book 2! And then upcoming drafting of the rest of the series. As for a teaser, let’s just say the Republics aren’t quite ready to be done with Enertin, the pill that suppresses emotions and may actually have been causing Disparates to become more dangerous.

One Spark by Holly D. Morgan was released on 15 October and is available to buy now on Holly’s website, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble. You can find out more about Holly and her project on her website linked below.