Interview with Author Mo Flames
- Kaleidoscope Romance
- May 25
- 4 min read
Romance Sub-genre(s): Contemporary, Romantic Suspense, Forbidden, Dark Romance, Why Choose
Steam Level: High steam to scorching
---
Describe yourself in three words.
Creative, Driven, Unapologetic
What are three facts about you?
I love tacos
Purple is my fave color
I'm terrified of frogs - all of them, toads included! YUCK!!
What is your favorite book from childhood?
Are You There God? It's Me Margaret
When you read, which authors are your go-to authors?
Blue Saffire
Frieda McFadden
What book has made the biggest impact on your life?
On Writing, Stephen King
Do you have any book related tattoos?
I have a quill pen with flames on my right arm.
What is your favorite TV show or movie?
The Office
What subject could you talk about all day?
Music
What is your dream vacation destination?
Maldives
What do you do for fun when you aren’t writing?
Play the Sims
Are there any causes you support or which are important to you?
Suicide Prevention
Protecting LGBTQIA+ Rights
Domestic Abuse Awareness
How did you discover writing as a possible career?
By sharing snippets of my written work via a Blogspot in 2005.
How did you choose your pen name?
Shortening my middle name Monique and of course, I write that fire between the sheets...literally.
Where do you find inspiration for your stories?
Everywhere - imitation of life. It can be personal or other people's experiences, Reddit, LipStick Alley, TMZ and Shaderoom
What is the weirdest fact you've found when researching for a book?
You can mimic the scent of fear.
Pheromones shift under stress, and in BDSM psychology, some dominants can detect subtle changes in scent and behavior cues.
What trope is your favorite to write?
Enemies to Lovers
What is your favorite thing about being an author?
I have this gift of storytelling and am able to create impactful stories that resonate with my readers.
What is your writing process?
All my stories exist within the interconnected universe I call the MoVerse. So whenever a new idea sparks, my first step is figuring out how the characters tie into the larger world I’ve already built. I brainstorm potential connections to previous stories, then dive into research and note-taking to shape how the plot will unfold and what motivates the characters.
Once I lock in who they’re related to, or whose chaos they’ll collide with, I draft a loose outline. I’m a plotting pantser, which means of course, nothing is ever set in stone. From there, I build out the characters, the world they inhabit, the subplots, twists, and ultimate climax.
My drafting process is 1) First draft: scene by scene, chapter by chapter. 2) Second draft: big-picture revisions. 3) Third draft: feedback from betas and major adjustments. 4) Fourth draft: line edits and refinement. 5) Fifth draft: polish until it shines.
What time of day are you most creative?
First thing in the morning
What is your ideal writing environment?
Cozy nook in my content space with music of course!
As an author, what challenges do you face?
Not having a clone or 4 hands. I have so many ideas I want to write, but only two hands.
What is your least favorite part of being an author?
Marketing, I'd rather be writing or pulling out an ingrown hair.
If there was one thing you could change about the writing/publishing industry, what would it be?
If I could change one thing about the writing and publishing industry, it would be the systemic bias that continues to sideline Black Indie authors. Black authors deserve the same access to publishing contracts, visibility, and mainstream recognition as our counterparts. But instead, Black authors are often forced to fight for space in an industry that wasn’t built to support them. That needs to change.
What advice would you give aspiring authors?
Read a lot. Write from a place of love, not fear. Let writing be your way of exploring, discovering, and learning. Don’t hold back. Trust the story to guide you. And remember, this isn’t a race. Take your time and honor your voice.
What is something you’d like to write, but haven’t yet?
Magical peens! I would like to dabble in some romantasy or paranormal one of these days.
Which parts of yourself are reflected in your characters?
All of me - from the men to the women - I have taco lovers, adrenaline junkies, horror movie fans, and even those who love all things football.
Which of your characters have special meaning to you?
Aaron Joseph "Joey" Moretti
How do you come up with character names?
I have a composition notebook filled with names, and there are bookmarked sites that have names. Sometimes I've had my readers choose the names. Mostly, it's me aligning character names, their meanings and tying them to their story or family.
What is something you love to hear from your readers?
I love when readers dive deep into the chaotic world of the MoVerse and debate which characters they love, hate, or love to hate. Hearing from someone who’s followed every book, every character, every messy family dynamic, and is still hungry for whatever romance-fueled chaos I write next. That’s the most fulfilling feeling. It means they’re not just reading, they’re living in the world with me.
Where can readers find you online?
Mo's Corner (reader group) https://www.facebook.com/groups/485602852240865
Do you have any current ARCs or free downloads readers might be interested in?
One Ain't Enough: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/8nuuc7sj5u
What is your latest/upcoming release?
Vengeful Justice: https://books2read.com/u/bzxOrL
Closing Thoughts
If you’re stepping into one of my books, just know you’re not getting a simple love story. You’re entering the MoVerse, where chaos reigns, loyalty is tested, and love is anything but ordinary. My characters are messy, unfiltered, and deeply human. Some will make you swoon, others will piss you off. But that’s the point. This world is layered, interconnected, and unapologetically bold. So buckle up, because once you’re in, the ride doesn’t slow down.
