Today is a dream come true! Years ago a wonderful lady and I started out on a journey together. The journey to publication. We vowed to write from our hearts. We vowed to tell the stories of our souls. We vowed that our words would reflect all that we held dear and true. And that we would never waver from these truths. Well, we never did. We stayed the course; we stayed true to ourselves and our love of the written word. And today we are both published authors. I want to cry every time I think of all the trials and rejections and pep talks we've gone through to get to where we are. And those tears would be those of joy. What a journey it has been. I am so pleased that I walked my journey with Pam. And I am so excited to share her story with you.
Where are you from?
Tell us your latest news?
Gosh, well, after years and years of submitting manuscripts to publishers, I finally got a real, live contract. Yeah, it’s an e-book and soon a print-on-demand paperback. And it will be disappointing for Smitten Image not to be on bookshelves in every bookstore across the country, but I’ll make sure it’s in local libraries. Yesterday, I had a phone interview with a free-lance journalist, an old friend who used to own a bookstore I worked in. Knowing how long this journey has taken me, his first question was, “So,” (he laughs) “how many books have you written?” I cracked up, and told him six, but only the last two are any good!
Gosh, well, after years and years of submitting manuscripts to publishers, I finally got a real, live contract. Yeah, it’s an e-book and soon a print-on-demand paperback. And it will be disappointing for Smitten Image not to be on bookshelves in every bookstore across the country, but I’ll make sure it’s in local libraries. Yesterday, I had a phone interview with a free-lance journalist, an old friend who used to own a bookstore I worked in. Knowing how long this journey has taken me, his first question was, “So,” (he laughs) “how many books have you written?” I cracked up, and told him six, but only the last two are any good!
Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
It’s a romance, the message is ‘always believe in happy endings’. But yeah, Smitten Image is also about accepting who you are, believing in yourself and finding magic wherever you can. Lily is flaky but humorous, Daniel is generous but secretive, my favorite character Madame Bagasha is eccentric and a witch. I wanted Smitten Image to be fun and hope readers have a blast with it.
It’s a romance, the message is ‘always believe in happy endings’. But yeah, Smitten Image is also about accepting who you are, believing in yourself and finding magic wherever you can. Lily is flaky but humorous, Daniel is generous but secretive, my favorite character Madame Bagasha is eccentric and a witch. I wanted Smitten Image to be fun and hope readers have a blast with it.
If someone wrote a book about your life, what would they title it?
Way to throw out a really tough question! Let’s see, I’d be happy with a title like “Pam Morris, Fact or Fiction”, or “The Odyssey of a Naive Dreamer”, but a better fit would be “The Trippy, Dippy Life of Pam B. Morris”!
Way to throw out a really tough question! Let’s see, I’d be happy with a title like “Pam Morris, Fact or Fiction”, or “The Odyssey of a Naive Dreamer”, but a better fit would be “The Trippy, Dippy Life of Pam B. Morris”!
What is the ultimate dream vacation?
For our twentieth wedding anniversary (and my in-law’s fiftieth) they treated our family to a trip to Maui. Wow! Montana hicks in Hawaii… we fell in love with the ocean. I am not a swimmer but after an initial and very violent aversion to actually breathing underwater, I managed to master snorkeling. My son swam with a sea turtle, my daughter body surfed, I had a panic attack amidst a school of very large, flat fish and my husband cut his hands to shreds on barnacles. But my dream, our dream is to go back, the whole family, to Kauai this time and add hiking the back country to swimming, snorkeling and lounging on the beach. Maybe with a cabana shack on the beach. And internet reception so I can ‘blag’ about it!
For our twentieth wedding anniversary (and my in-law’s fiftieth) they treated our family to a trip to Maui. Wow! Montana hicks in Hawaii… we fell in love with the ocean. I am not a swimmer but after an initial and very violent aversion to actually breathing underwater, I managed to master snorkeling. My son swam with a sea turtle, my daughter body surfed, I had a panic attack amidst a school of very large, flat fish and my husband cut his hands to shreds on barnacles. But my dream, our dream is to go back, the whole family, to Kauai this time and add hiking the back country to swimming, snorkeling and lounging on the beach. Maybe with a cabana shack on the beach. And internet reception so I can ‘blag’ about it!
What person in history would you most like to meet?
William Shakespeare. No, wait… what if he doesn’t live up to my very high expectations? Okay, I know Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and I could have a great time together!
William Shakespeare. No, wait… what if he doesn’t live up to my very high expectations? Okay, I know Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and I could have a great time together!
If you could design a refrigerator magnet, what would it say?
Because Rionna and I are bestest friends, I’ve known I’d have to answer this very question one day. So I’ve given a lot of thought to my answer. Without a doubt, my refrigerator magnet would say “Get your hands off me and go take a hike”. But then, maybe “This sticky note is a reminder: your lost keys are in the freezer”. Or perhaps “Take a note, it will last longer”. Or how about “Chocolate. It’s what’s for dinner!” (I could so go on and on and…)
And thank you, Rionna, for, well, EVERYTHING!! And thanks, readers, for hanging out with us today.
Because Rionna and I are bestest friends, I’ve known I’d have to answer this very question one day. So I’ve given a lot of thought to my answer. Without a doubt, my refrigerator magnet would say “Get your hands off me and go take a hike”. But then, maybe “This sticky note is a reminder: your lost keys are in the freezer”. Or perhaps “Take a note, it will last longer”. Or how about “Chocolate. It’s what’s for dinner!” (I could so go on and on and…)
And thank you, Rionna, for, well, EVERYTHING!! And thanks, readers, for hanging out with us today.
You are so welcome, Pam. Thank you too for just everything!
...A bit more about Pam!
I have a B.A. in English Literature and a minor in Library Science from Montana State University and became an elementary school librarian in Bigfork, MT where I finally hit my stride.
I'm an artist, love to draw, paint, create funky art out of wire, fabric and cloth; gardening, cross country skiing, mountains, horses and herons. I'm not a traveler, love movies, science fiction, string theory, space opera, fantasy fiction and classical literature. My favorite author aside from Shakespeare is Neil Gaiman. My favorite bands are The Decemberists (they broke up) and The Barenaked Ladies (they sort of broke up too). Absolutely love soundtracks.
I have Meniere's Disease, a degenerative disorder of the inner ear that causes mean vertigo at times. Diet, exercise and medication keeps it mostly under control. Bird watching and building snow sculptures helps. Also sleeping. Love my crazy, vivid dreams.
Flipping on her VPEG player, Lily donned her paint smock, snatched up her pallet and brushes and disappeared into alizarin crimson, the perfect color to bring the sensuality of her male nude to life. Such a brazen red would highlight the man's strength, the masculine line of his jaw and chin, his confident brow. Oh yes, his vigorous, male features definitely needed more attention...
Hours passed while songs shuffled in her comp-deck and Lily lost herself inside her work, brushing paint in long, sensual strokes across the curve of a manly shoulder, over the shadow of his collarbone, emphasizing an arched cheekbone or the sweet curve of his mouth. She breathed in linseed oil, tasted licorice and worked her magic. The nude took on a vitality of his own, arm stretched upward towards the light, face lifted in anticipation. His face looked nothing like the model she'd sketched in her drawing class Monday night but that always happened, her own inner vision replacing a less substantial reality.
When at last she stepped back and stretched to relieve cramped muscles, Lily felt a jolt of pleasure at her creation. The painting worked composition wise, the greens and purples an ambiguous dark behind his skin of crimson and gold glowing with virility. She dropped her brush in a jar of waiting paint thinner, tugged free other paintbrushes she'd absently stuck in her hair and realized a hot bath would ease her aching bones and perhaps cool the tingling excitement she felt after stroking paint over male muscles.
She had pulled her paint smock off over her head, skimmed out of her t-shirt and unzipped her jeans when she heard a loud sucking sound behind her. Turning, Lily watched in horror as the figure in the painting moved. Just a twitch of a hand at first, a stretch of an arm. Then in one violent lunge the man tore himself free of the canvas and stepped onto the floor, real, animated, looking around her apartment with every naked inch of his skin gleaming in fresh oil.
As soon as I could read, I fell in love with books. Born and raised in Montana, I live in the Bitteroot Valley with my husband and near our two grown, intelligent and creative kids. I grew up skiing, fishing, camping, went through 4-H raising and training colts- got bucked off more times than I can count. Pretty much the perfect life... until puberty. Always shy and self-conscious, I lived to escape into stories. And wrote. Always.
I have a B.A. in English Literature and a minor in Library Science from Montana State University and became an elementary school librarian in Bigfork, MT where I finally hit my stride.
I'm an artist, love to draw, paint, create funky art out of wire, fabric and cloth; gardening, cross country skiing, mountains, horses and herons. I'm not a traveler, love movies, science fiction, string theory, space opera, fantasy fiction and classical literature. My favorite author aside from Shakespeare is Neil Gaiman. My favorite bands are The Decemberists (they broke up) and The Barenaked Ladies (they sort of broke up too). Absolutely love soundtracks.
I have Meniere's Disease, a degenerative disorder of the inner ear that causes mean vertigo at times. Diet, exercise and medication keeps it mostly under control. Bird watching and building snow sculptures helps. Also sleeping. Love my crazy, vivid dreams.
Oh, I love Smitten Image so much that I can't wait to share an excerpt with you!
Flipping on her VPEG player, Lily donned her paint smock, snatched up her pallet and brushes and disappeared into alizarin crimson, the perfect color to bring the sensuality of her male nude to life. Such a brazen red would highlight the man's strength, the masculine line of his jaw and chin, his confident brow. Oh yes, his vigorous, male features definitely needed more attention...
Hours passed while songs shuffled in her comp-deck and Lily lost herself inside her work, brushing paint in long, sensual strokes across the curve of a manly shoulder, over the shadow of his collarbone, emphasizing an arched cheekbone or the sweet curve of his mouth. She breathed in linseed oil, tasted licorice and worked her magic. The nude took on a vitality of his own, arm stretched upward towards the light, face lifted in anticipation. His face looked nothing like the model she'd sketched in her drawing class Monday night but that always happened, her own inner vision replacing a less substantial reality.
When at last she stepped back and stretched to relieve cramped muscles, Lily felt a jolt of pleasure at her creation. The painting worked composition wise, the greens and purples an ambiguous dark behind his skin of crimson and gold glowing with virility. She dropped her brush in a jar of waiting paint thinner, tugged free other paintbrushes she'd absently stuck in her hair and realized a hot bath would ease her aching bones and perhaps cool the tingling excitement she felt after stroking paint over male muscles.
She had pulled her paint smock off over her head, skimmed out of her t-shirt and unzipped her jeans when she heard a loud sucking sound behind her. Turning, Lily watched in horror as the figure in the painting moved. Just a twitch of a hand at first, a stretch of an arm. Then in one violent lunge the man tore himself free of the canvas and stepped onto the floor, real, animated, looking around her apartment with every naked inch of his skin gleaming in fresh oil.
Places you can catch up with Pam and buy Smitten Image!
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Places to Buy Smitten Image!!
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In high-speed, high-tech New Chicago, 2039, magic has gone viral. Lily Barnett, a brilliant but drifty artist wanders into a strange magic shop where she impulsively guzzles a love potion. Erratic and unpredictable powers awake inside her. Her houseplants turn ravenous and strings of flamingo lights spout poetry. When she paints a portrait of her perfect man, he steps free of the canvas and stalks her. Desperate, she turns to her best friend, Daniel, for help.
But Daniel has problems of his own. He’s a telepath who must shield thoughts, emotions, and desires or go mad. He wants Lily, desperately, but knows his passion will drive her away and that his friendship is of more value to her than his love.
As Lily negotiates the catastrophic blends of her fear, imagination, and chaotic magic, Daniel must fight against his own impenetrable reserve and the psychic gifts he’s always despised.
Magic and love might save them, but can they survive each other?
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http://www.facebook.com/pambmorris
Giveaway Alert!!!
Pam will be giving away one eBook to a commenter from each tour stop and a $10 Amazon Gift Card to one lucky commenter at the end of her tour. To enter to win here at Chanting of Muses, just leave a comment and an e-mail address! Yay!! Good luck!! I can't wait for you to win such an awesome book!
Such a fun interview! Thank you for hosting Pam today!
ReplyDeleteMK,
DeleteYou are so welcome. It was the honor of my life!! I am so very happy that you are part of this dream coming true!!
All the Best,
Rionna
Would still be bemoaning my fate if not for you, Rionna. I swear (politely)!!
DeleteAnd thank you, MK, for all you've done for me. I love Black Lion Tours and recommend them to everyone!!
ReplyDeleteLoved this interview, Rionna and Pam. I think it's so touching that you are such good friends - and that you have each other's backs. So, so glad you are published and are part of the wonderful Crimson authors' group. I am honored to know both of you. May you have many sales in the future!
ReplyDeleteDeborah,
ReplyDeleteYou are just lovely!! We are honored to know you as well and to count you among our wonderful friends. Crimson Romance is definitely a shining light in our lives!! Thank you so much for stopping by!!
All the Best,
Rionna
Thank you, Deborah. I love being a part of Crimson Romance, meeting you all and yes, feel like I have a huge extended family now, everywhere. Very cool for a hermitagenite!! And I feel equally honored for so many new gifts in my life. And for Rionna, an old, but dearly valued gift!!
DeletePam, I totally want to hang with you. We're bird watchers, hikers, Kauai lovers (our second dream bungalow is there), and I love doing snow sculptures to entertain the dogsledders and snowmobilers who go by our isolated house every winter. I did an incredible Little Mermaid once that didn't turn out in pictures. Bummer. The face was so beautiful and realistic. And learned while doing Brian from The Family Guy that colors don't hold up under the sun. He was amazing - briefly. I loved this interview. I feel like I know you so much better now. And you look incredibly cute and comfy in your picture.
ReplyDeleteTara, what a wondrous thing to say. And yes, we could totally hang out. I'm still for a Crimson writers retreat someday... what fun we would have, all our brains connecting a million miles an hour! So come to Montana anytime, I'll hang with you and the birds!!
DeleteThank you! All of you who dropped by and made this day so fun!
ReplyDeleteAll the Best,
Rionna