Latrell R. Morris | Author
Latrell R. Morris is an author from Miami, FL. Latrell first started writing when she was a little girl, dabbling in poetry and mysteries. She hails herself as a longtime horror fan and debuted her first book (horror), Nova: The Executioner of Justice, back in October 2021…
1. What inspired you to start writing/creating art, and how has that inspiration evolved over time?
I started writing when I was a little girl. It was my way of escaping everyday life. I would create these characters and worlds that was very much outside my norm. When I became a teenager, I stopped writing however, in 2020, I got the writing bug again and have been writing ever since. I think because I’m an adult now and more aware of things in the world, it has shaped a lot of what I write.
2. Can you share the story behind your latest work? What was your creative process like?
My current work in progress is a fairytale retelling. However, it will not be exactly like that fairytale. The characters and the circumstances will be different. I like to make most of my female characters no-nonsense and badasses so, she won’t be a damsel in distress. Depending on the story I’m telling, I can either plan it out or wing it. When I’m winging it, I always have the general story and characters in mind however, the story comes to me once I start writing. I’m winging it with my current book.
3. What themes or messages do you aim to convey through your work, and why are they important to you?
I always said to myself, my main female character will always be a Black woman because I’m a Black woman and to me, they’re the center of my world. We deserve to have more representation especially in the horror and science fiction genres. We’re not a monolith. That’s the message I want to put out there.
4. What advice would you give to aspiring authors/artists who are just starting their journey?
Write what’s in your heart. As authors, we want to be paid for our craft just like any other artists, and many authors write to market. Yet, I am one of those authors that feel you should write from your heart even if it isn’t the most popular genre.
5. What role has self-publishing or independent production played in your career, and what have you learned from the process?
Self-publishing is all I know. There are good and bad things about it, just like with traditional publishing. With self-publishing, I feel like having that creative control to produce your work in whatever way, outweighs the bad. I’ve learned a lot about the process and still learning more. I learned so much about copyright, editing, marketing (the hardest for me), distribution, etc. There are so many parts to the publishing process than I initially thought.
6. How do you handle challenges like writer's block or creative burnout, and what motivates you to keep going?
When I encounter writer’s block I just rest and give myself time to breathe. Sometimes the story isn’t ready to fully manifest so, no need to force it. Take a break and come back to it when it’s ready.
7. What’s next for you? Can you share any upcoming projects or future creative goals you’re excited about?
I will be releasing a horror, sort of romance novella in spring 2025. It was supposed to be a short story but decided it wanted to be longer. Likewise, I am working on a science fiction/suspense three-part series that will be released 2025-2026.
8. How has your personal life or experiences influenced your writing/art, and are there any particular moments that stand out?
I would venture to say a good chunk of my life experiences has inspired most of my books. Of course, the stories are fiction, but I think their based mostly on my emotions and how I was generally treated in life. Case in point my first book, Nova: The Executioner of Justice, was inspired by me being laid off back in 2020. This book manifested from my anger of feeling I was unfairly let go. I was out of a job for a year and the latter half of that year was very difficult for me. I made the main character into a supernatural being looking to avenge those who couldn’t get it for themselves. Likewise, my science fiction series, The Friend Trilogy, was inspired by my emotions of feeling lonely in my life. I’ve also written stories in my horror anthologies regarding racism, fatphobia, sexism, etc. So many things around me have inspired my stories and sometimes all it takes is an emotion.
