Morgan Greene Author Interview: Favourite Book, Futurama, Writing Routine and More

Morgan Greene, author of the Jamie Johansson and Solomon Church thrillers, has built a loyal following for his fast-paced stories that blur the line between crime and action. With over a dozen titles and counting, Greene has become a go-to name for readers who love sharp writing and high stakes.

In this interview, he pulls back the curtain on his daily life, creative habits, and the stories that shaped him. From exploring the Welsh mountains to daydreaming about car collections and quoting Futurama…

What’s a typical weekend like for you when you’re not writing

I always feel like I spend too much time behind my computer, so I just like being outside as much as I can. Now that I’ve moved into a more ‘responsible’ stage of my life, the dog always seems to want walking, the lawn always needs mowing, and there seem to be endless jobs around the house, so I’ve always got my plate full. If I get some downtime, it’s tennis, or getting out to explore the mountains here in Wales.

What book has stayed with you the longest, and why?

Fahrenheit 451 is my favourite book and continues to stay with me now. I think that it toes that line between a great story with a brilliant central character and an eerily premonitory warning in the way that only really good dystopia can. Every time I read it I feel like it’s erring closer and closer to reality.

What’s a favourite or comfort TV show or film you always go back to?

Oh, gosh. I think Futurama is probably the easiest answer. I’m a huge sci-fi nerd and the writing is so good in that show. It’s just so quotable, too, and it’s never a chore to sit down and watch a few episodes.

Do you collect anything / have any collections?

I have a couple of antique typewriters knocking about, but I’m not a big ‘collector’ of things, generally. I feel like there’s so much to accomplish before I get to that point. But if I won the lottery I’d definitely have a car collection. A guy can dream!

How long have you been writing, and what attracts you to the thriller genre?

I’ve been writing since I was a kid. I still have some old stories and things I wrote when I was a teenager! As for thriller, I think it’s what attracts everyone. It’s something that gets the blood pumping. Just like everyone else, I sit around all day imagining all the cool and exciting stuff that I could be doing if I wasn’t just a normal person. The only difference is I write that stuff down! I think everyone dreams of a more exciting life, and thrillers give us a way to live those lives vicariously through the characters and stories in books. Everyone wants to be a hero, in some way.

Where do you get your ideas from?

I’m lucky that they kind of just spark themselves from things around me. I might hear a snippet of a conversation, see a TV show or movie, read a book and home in on a certain scene… Inspiration comes from all sorts of places. You just take that little spark and blow on it. Sometimes it burns out. Sometimes it becomes an ember, then a flame, then a fire, and suddenly, it’s a book.

What does a typical writing day look like for you?

I try and get my admin and editing done in the morning, then have some lunch, get out and walk the dog in the afternoon, centre myself and think about the next chapter or scene, then come back with a clear head and just get some words down. No secret formula, unfortunately! Just routine.

Are you a planner or a ‘see where it goes’ kind of writer?

I used to be a pantser for sure! Now, working on multiple projects at a time, and getting older, I definitely can’t remember everything. So now, I plan way more precisely and write to a pretty tight outline. Helps to eliminate plotholes!

If one of your novels or stories were to be adapted into a TV series or film, who would you cast as the leads?

Oh, that’s a good question. I think Jamie’s a tough one as I’ve done so many books with her that I don’t know who I could see! I think looks-wise, I always thought Teresa Palmer would be a good pick. And Matthew Goode as Elliot. They starred together in A Discovery Of Witches. I caught a couple episodes of that and thought, damn, they’d make a great Jamie and Elliot! For Church, it’s a little easier. Tom Hardy. Done.

Do you ever struggle with creative blocks? How do you push through them?

I think it comes down to discipline, honestly. There are days I don’t want to write. Most days, in fact. I’d rather be on a beach somewhere with a cold beer, catching up on my TBR pile. But it’s a job, and like any job, you clock in and you work. If you don’t give yourself the option of an ‘out’, then there isn’t one.

Which book of yours do you think new readers should start with?

I’d say Angel Maker, or The Exile, depending on if you prefer crime, or more of an action thriller!

What writing project are you currently working on? 

The next book. Always the next book! Solomon Church 3, Solomon Church 4, Jamie 16… Lots of plates spinning! Tight release schedules demand it, unfortunately. But, I wouldn’t change it, for sure!

Explore Morgan’s books here: https://morgangreene.co.uk/