What inspired you to
become an author?
Reading got me through
some tough times, specifically reading about authors. I decided I admired writers about as much as
I admired any profession. When I was
growing up you used to see authors on TV more often, they had a presence and an
(often eccentric) personality. They were
looked up to. Now they’re largely
invisible. I decided I’d like to become
one of those guys.
Do you have a specific
writing style?
My favorite author is
Norman Mailer. I could never hope to
approximate his writing style, but have drawn from several writers I respect including
Elmore Leonard, Philip Roth, Erica Jong, Hunter S. Thompson. (I’m dating myself I know.) The bottom line is you choose which aspect or
aspects of writing you think are most important and push them to the max. I used to think the only essential element in
writing was sound. I submitted a whole
collection of short stories called ‘Radish Heart’ to the Flannery O’Connor
prize. I didn’t win, but I respected
myself for remaining true to that ideal, even though I’ve moved on from
that. You’ll see some stories like that
on my website morsklitmonthly.com
Do you write in
different genres?
I invented my own
genre term, ‘mysteroticom’ combining mystery, comedy and erotica. As far as I know I’m the only one doing it. I do it well.
If I’m not enjoying the writing I know it’s time to change
something. I go for entertainment value,
lightening fast reads with horse-like doses of sex, humor, even drugs.
If yes which is your
favorite genre to write?
‘Mysteroticom’
as I said. I write in the first person. Mailer called this his ‘trump card’. I think it gives an immediacy of experience
if you get inside the narrator’s head and know exactly what they’re thinking
and feeling. My novella, “HE: A Sexual
Odyssey” is in the third person however which suits its plot line to a
tee.
How did you come up
with the title for your latest book?
It
was originally called ‘crispi-sulcans’ which means winding or serpentine in
Latin. But since few people would have any
idea of what that meant, I simply changed it to encompass what I felt was the
most salient feature, this introverted protagonist searching for Ms. Right and
connecting only with his penis.
Do you title the book
first or wait until after it’s complete?
I changed it along the way.
Usually I do title my books when I start and stick to it. The title provides a guidepost for what the
book’s supposed to be about, albeit a rather vague one.
Is there a message in
your novel that you want readers to grasp?
A couple of themes stand out in “HE: A Sexual Odyssey.” The protagonist, a thirty-ish law student in
Manhattan is in search of salvation from his rather isolated existence. He’s looking for Ms. Right. Women are largely seen by “HE” as the blessed
immaculate deliverance from his cubby hole existence. The power of women, emotionally and sexually
stands out. Finally, the cruelty of a
tornadic vortex of gonzo karma is ever present.
“HE” is thrust into a series of intolerable situations through no fault
of his own.
Is the book,
characters, or any scenes based on a true life experience, someone you know, or
events in your own life?
Most of it is
made up. Characters are drawn from
people in my life past and present but then altered subtly to fit the ongoing
landslide of the plot line. I always
visualize someone whether from TV, real life, movies, etc. when I describe a
character.
What books/authors have
influenced your life?
As I said, I’m old
school. Norman Mailer, Erica Jong,
Philip Roth, Hunter S. Thompson, Elmore Leonard to name a few. I haven’t connected with any contemporary
authors, probably because I’m too busy writing and don’t have time to read
much. When I go on vacation I bring a
book with me. Usually it’s an old
classic and I rarely finish it. I’m a
shamelessly slow reader.
If you had to choose,
which writer would you consider a mentor?
Mailer. Read his book “American Dream”.
It reads like genre but is chilling in the anvil-like sense of guilt
pervading its pages, its lush descriptives, you name it. Also read “Tough Guys Don’t Dance.” Devastating.
By the way he won TWO Pulitzer’s.
What book are you
reading now?
None! I’m a sloth in the reading department.
What books are in your
to read pile?
I’ve never read “The Naked
and the Dead,” Mailer’s out of the box hit after WWII. But I’m not big on war books. I tried to read “A Visit From the Goon Squad”
once but just didn’t connect with it.
What is your current
“work in progress” or upcoming projects?
“Green Light.” It’s part of a
series (As is “HE”) about a screenwriter’s misadventures. Again the insouciance of blitzkrieg fate
shines through, and the adoration of women.
Can you share a little
of your current work with us?
In “Green
Light” the screenwriter, a successful guy in his forties outside of LA, meets a
woman in a bar. A few days later she shows up at his door. The next day she leaves but is later found
dead. Wouldn’t you know it? Shit for karma. He thinks he knows who the murderer is and
gets beaten up over it. By the way, he
has a mammoth penis. So be it.
Is there anything you
find particularly challenging in your writing?
Keeping it always fresh, deliberately humorous and intriguing, always
changing to keep the reader (and myself) entranced. If you try “HE” you’ll see what I mean. It’s sexy as hell and a lighting fast
novella. (71 pages)
Who is your favorite
author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?
Mailer’s descriptives,
the constant impression of his thought processes, his invincible timing. He also ran for mayor of New York, made
films, stabbed one of his wives, was an alcoholic and spent time in
Bellevue. Harvard grad. He held his own in an interview with William
F. Buckley. Quite a character to earn
two Pulitzer’s.
Do you have to travel
much to do research for your books?
Not
at all, except mentally.
Who designed the cover
of your latest book?
I did with help
from Infinity Publishing. I sort of had
second thoughts about it for a while, but now I’m convinced it’s just perfect.
Do you have any advice
for other writers?
Write, write and then
write some more. Identify what it is in
writing that intrigues you and push that aspect to its God forsaken limits. Then start all over again.
Do you have a song or
playlist (book soundtrack) that you think represents this book?
“I Dig a Pygmy” by the Beatles. Just kidding.
Thanks so much for allowing me this time to elucidate a bit
about myself and my work. Follow me on
morsklitmonthly.com, Twitter (@SMorsk), Facebook. “HE:A Sexual Odyssey” is available in softcover
(Amazon), and e formats Kindle and Nook.
HE: A Sexual Odyssey
Stephan Morsk
ASIN: B00E3GZPTI
ISBN: 0-7414-8224-X
Genre: erotica
Book Description:
In HE the unnamed protagonist, a law student, is involved with a series of women who either loathe him, try to poison him, save his life or exploit him sexually. The first is the nanny of his ex boss’ kid. She sends him a hateful letter, enclosing a pubic hair and rubbed with pheromones. After observing a woman in a coffee shop whose breasts are ‘freaks of nature’ she leaves a briefcase and departs. He’s unsuccessful in returning it to her, but this karmic event exposes him to a bevy of dangerous and seductive paramours.
About the Author:
Stephan Morsk is a mental health professional who writes daily. He won a 7th and an 8th place in the Writer’s Digest competition 2001 out of a field of 19,000 writers. He has published a short story and won honorable mentions in other years. His web site morsklitmonthly.com offers a new short story each month. He is interested in novellas and recently submitted “Parrot Moon” to the Paris Literary Prize. He’s finished several other short books, part of a four part series including “HE”, “Trashy Novel-A Love Story”, “She” and “I”. He lives in rural Minnesota with his family. Favorite novelist, Normal Mailer. He enjoys exercise and is a reasonable amateur magician.
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