Tracy S. Morris on BU Blog Tour

Today we welcome Tracy S. Morris to our tour.

Tracy S. Morris is a writer, photographer, gardener, herbalist and self-proclaimed kamikaze speller. She is the author of the Tranquility mysteries, a series of books that have been described as "Jeff Foxworthy writing the X-Files set in Cicily, Alaska."  The newest book in the series, Bride of Tranquility was a finalist for the Darrell Award in 2010. She has been awarded an Honorable Mention by the Writers of the Future on three separate occasions.

Morris's other works include short stories with the Esther Friesner anthology Strip Mauled and the Grantville Gazette, both by Baen books, essays with the Benbella books Smart Pop anthologies as well as numerous short stories in the Bubbas of the Apocolypse zombies vs. rednecks line of anthologies by Yard Dog Press.  You can find her on the web at http://www.tracysmorris.com

She lives in Fort Smith, Arkansas with her husband and two dogs.  The dogs are in charge.

1. How can we find you? Website, Facebook, Twitter, blog, etc. - please share your public links.

The best way is through my website: http://www.tracysmorris.com
All my other accounts including, facebook, twitter, livejournal link through that.

2. Tell us about your writing - What genre do you prefer to write? What books, stories, other publications that you've written are your personal favorites? Anything new coming up?
Mostly I write urban fantasy.  Or more accurately, rural fantasy since the settings are generally towns in the Ozarks with smaller populations.  My best known work is the Tranquility series, which is sort of what you would get if Jeff Foxworthy wrote the X-Files and set every episode in the town of Cicely, Alaska.  The second book in the series, Bride of Tranquility, just received an honorable mention for the Darrell Award. 

My tendency is to write offbeat, satirical genre stories.

In June one of my short stories will be released in the Yard Dog press Rednecks vs. Zombies anthology A Stitch in Time Saves None.  This is the 5th anthology set within the Bubbas of the Apocalypse shared universe.


3. What about you as a person? What do you do to relax? Favorite movies or tv shows? Hobbies?

I actually spend a lot of time in front of the computer.  My day job involves writing content for websites.  I write a lot of how-to articles, travel articles and gardening articles.  No surprise that my hobbies include photography, travel and gardening.  Things that I can get dirty doing, as opposed to sitting in front of a computer. If I have down time, I try to read for fun.

4. What gets your creative juices going? Do you write to a music, and do you want to share your playlist?

I don't write to music because it's distracting.  Stirring music makes me want to jump up, run around the house, choreograph the next fight scene that I am going to write, etc.  I actually carry a journal and pen with me everywhere so that I can write when the inspiration strikes. Usually it strikes when I have to be in a meeting and I'm daydreaming, so at least I can look like I'm taking notes.

5. "All writers must have cats, especially if they write fantasy or speculative fiction." Do you have a stand on this one? Any cute pictures of your kitty or other pet?

I'm not a cat person.  I've got two Shiba Inu puppies that my husband and I adopted.  They keep me company while I'm writing.  Mostly they lay around getting fat.  Occasionally when the mood strikes me to get in shape they will take a run with me.  Dogs have friends.  Cats have staff. 

I used to have three ferrets, which are the inspiration behind the ferrets in my detective novels.  They're partially a tip of the hat to all the great pet mysteries out there.  The thing with ferrets is that they're not really focused animals.  So while dog and cat detectives might help their owners out, a ferret will be off sleeping in your sock drawer or hiding your keys. 

6. What organizations do you recommend for those wanting to become writers? Any advice you'd like to share about writing?

Writing is a process of collecting rejection letters. Don't get discouraged, because rejection is a part of it.  Today was a good example for me. I checked the mailbox and found a certificate for an Honorable Mention award that I was recently given by Writers of the Future tucked in next to a rejection letter from a major publisher. 

I would also suggest finding a good (emphasis on good) writing group.  That kind of mentorship is invaluable to your growth as a writer. If your writers group is not helpful, or if it's just stroking your ego, it's time to move on. 

7. What writers inspired you to become an author?

I was a huge reader before I ever wrote, but I made the decision to write when I was about 12 years old.  I can't remember just what it was that I read at the time, but I put the book down thinking that I would love to write like that and put out books and short stories.  

8. Any special appearances or events coming up that you want to mention?

I will be at ConQuest in Kansas City on May 28-30, and then Soonercon in Oklahoma City June 4-6.  Soonercon is helping my publisher, Yard Dog Press celebrate their 15th anniversary.  They will be releasing their anthology A Stitch in Time Saves None at the convention.

Thanks for everything

Thank you for joining us. Good luck on your upcoming release!