Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I live in Northern California with my husband and our three kids. Growing up we were pretty poor so there weren’t many extras in my life. Our house was a couple of miles outside of town so on days when my dad had the car my mom would load my baby brother into a stroller and we’d walk to the local library where she volunteered. It was one of my favorite places. The Carnegie family donated it to our town just after the turn of the century, and I was in awe of the high ceilings, arched windows, and tall dark wood shelves. I loved the warm Mediterranean colored bricks of the exterior, old fashioned light fixtures, and cool, shady foyer. It was like a cathedral to my young eyes. I used to love wandering through the quiet building and hiding amongst the stacks as I ran my finger tips across the spines of books as I passed. Though I was poor and lacked many of the luxuries some of my peers had, I never felt deprived when I stood surrounded by so many stories. It spawned a love of literacy and writing before I was even properly literate. My first published book was a romance my husband challenged me to write, but I usually write for children. In addition to Love’s Design I have written two picture books intended for 3 – 6 year olds catalougueing the everyday antics of my older two children. “The Tigress in a Tutu” and “The Racing Raccoon”. I have written a third and fourth for my youngest as well as my oldest and closest niece that I am currently illustrating. I intend to publish them soon.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“The Racing Raccoon” is the name of my most recently published book, though in another couple of weeks I will publish both “The Marvelous Mare” and “The Wildest Unicorn”. All three were inspired by my children and their day to day silliness.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I think some of the most influential writers in my life were the classics. I loved Austin, Bronte, Tolkien, and C.S. Lewis. If I’m in the mood for a funny beach read then Janet Evanovich Stephanie Plum series is one I can keep going back to. I also really enjoyed “A Wrinkle in Time”, “Tuck Everlasting”, and “The Dark is Rising” series growing up.
What are you working on now?
Because my husband and I are a biracial couple and several of his cousins have gone on to have children with even more diverse groups these recent protests have really hit home. My children are primarily white/hispanic, but have cousins who are African American, Pacific Islander, and Chinese decent. They also have cousins who are all white and all hispanic. My middle daughter, the tigress, recently asked some hard questions about what was going on and expressed anger and hurt both for what happened to George Floyd and also those people and businesses being attacked by rioters. It hurts her to think that there are segments of society who would hate her for being brown and others hate her sister for coming out white. It upsets her to think about what could happen to her brother and cousins. In our house we try to encourage our children to ask themselves whether or not they are responding with love when they are angry or hurt. The conversation with my little tigress got me to thinking, while she is old enough to understand and process what she’s seeing and hearing, her sister and many of the cousins are not. Lately I’ve been working on attempting to write a picture book for young children to help them process what’s happening around them and in the media so that they can hopefully look at the situation with mercy and love.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
I know it sounds cliche, but write what you’re passionate about. Write what you know. Also, don’t worry about time unless you’re currently under a deadline. Sometimes when you write it comes fast, others it comes slow. But as long as you are proud of the results time doesn’t matter.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Other people’s opinions of you are none of your business. That’s their problem. Worry about what you can control, what you can influence. And don’t be bothered by failure, everyone does it. Failure is the opportunity to come back smarter and better.
What are you reading now?
I am really enjoying the Noir series by Larry Corriea.
What’s next for you as a writer?
When I’m done illustrating the two I’ve got already written. And when I’m done writing and illustrating the book regarding coping mechanisms for anger and hurt, I’d like to finish a fantasy novel for fifth graders I’ve been writing on and off for the last decade.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
OMG, I couldn’t hope to choose.
Author Websites and Profiles
Abigail Morales Amazon Profile
Abigail Morales’s Social Media Links
Pinterest Account