I want to welcome Meggan Connors to my blog today! Her exciting new release, The Marker is now available. Read her interview to find out what makes her tick as a writer and what her release is about!
Author Interview
1.) When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
I think I was in fifth grade when I first realized I wanted to write. I wrote my first "book" (3 spiral binders of a disjointed fantasy) when I was in sixth grade. Over the years, I've written a scene here, a scene there. About two years ago, I woke up and thought, "I think I'm finally going to write that novel that's been running around in my head."
I thought it might be a passing fancy, but four months later, I had that novel completed. And ideas for six more floating around in my head. So far, I've gotten through four of them. J
I think I was in fifth grade when I first realized I wanted to write. I wrote my first "book" (3 spiral binders of a disjointed fantasy) when I was in sixth grade. Over the years, I've written a scene here, a scene there. About two years ago, I woke up and thought, "I think I'm finally going to write that novel that's been running around in my head."
I thought it might be a passing fancy, but four months later, I had that novel completed. And ideas for six more floating around in my head. So far, I've gotten through four of them. J
2.) What type of genre do you write in?
My debut novel is an historical, set in California in the years after the gold rush, but I have to admit, I still haven’t really "picked" a genre. I read across genres, and I write across them as well. So, for completed manuscripts, I have two historical westerns, one western steampunk, and one urban fantasy. And I love them all!
My debut novel is an historical, set in California in the years after the gold rush, but I have to admit, I still haven’t really "picked" a genre. I read across genres, and I write across them as well. So, for completed manuscripts, I have two historical westerns, one western steampunk, and one urban fantasy. And I love them all!
3.) What inspires you to write in this genre?
I live in the west, so I'm familiar with it. The first romance novels I ever read were historicals, so they will always have a special place in my heart. I love men in kilts, but when I decided to write a romance novel, I realized how much I wanted to see something different. So while The Marker could be set just about anywhere, I picked Sacramento.
I live in the west, so I'm familiar with it. The first romance novels I ever read were historicals, so they will always have a special place in my heart. I love men in kilts, but when I decided to write a romance novel, I realized how much I wanted to see something different. So while The Marker could be set just about anywhere, I picked Sacramento.
4.) Where to you get your ideas for your writing?
My ideas come from the craziest places. Sometimes, the ideas spring from a TV show, another time, I was inspired by an old map. The Marker was inspired by The World Series of Poker and a trip to the Sacramento Train museum. Sounds crazy, but it's totally true.
My ideas come from the craziest places. Sometimes, the ideas spring from a TV show, another time, I was inspired by an old map. The Marker was inspired by The World Series of Poker and a trip to the Sacramento Train museum. Sounds crazy, but it's totally true.
5.) Who are your favorite authors and why?
It's so hard to pick just one, and it depends on what I'm reading. I love Karen Marie Moning and Kresley Cole for their dark heroes and interesting story lines. In terms of contemporaries, I really enjoyed Natasha Tate's An Inconvenient Obsession, and Candis Terry's Second Chance at the Sugar Shack. A Thousand Splendid Suns and The Kite Runner had beautiful prose. Thinking of the classics, I've read everything written by the Bronte sisters (though Wuthering Heights was my favorite. I loved Heathcliff. He was the original, brooding antihero).
It's so hard to pick just one, and it depends on what I'm reading. I love Karen Marie Moning and Kresley Cole for their dark heroes and interesting story lines. In terms of contemporaries, I really enjoyed Natasha Tate's An Inconvenient Obsession, and Candis Terry's Second Chance at the Sugar Shack. A Thousand Splendid Suns and The Kite Runner had beautiful prose. Thinking of the classics, I've read everything written by the Bronte sisters (though Wuthering Heights was my favorite. I loved Heathcliff. He was the original, brooding antihero).
6.) In your opinion, what key parts of a story make it great?
I think voice is what makes a story great. A new, inspired voice will suck me into a story and won't let me go.
I think voice is what makes a story great. A new, inspired voice will suck me into a story and won't let me go.
7.) What activities do you undertake for inspiration?
It usually depends on what I'm writing, but often, I'll head up into the mountains or into the desert and go for a hike (in the appropriate seasons). Sometimes, I'll load the kids up in the car and go for a drive to someplace we haven't been. We'll go for a walk, hang out a park, get some lunch, and head on home. Watching the passing landscape always seems to make the muse wake up (though she doesn't always obey my command to focus).
It usually depends on what I'm writing, but often, I'll head up into the mountains or into the desert and go for a hike (in the appropriate seasons). Sometimes, I'll load the kids up in the car and go for a drive to someplace we haven't been. We'll go for a walk, hang out a park, get some lunch, and head on home. Watching the passing landscape always seems to make the muse wake up (though she doesn't always obey my command to focus).
8.) Do you belong to any writing communities, or critique groups?
I belong to RWA and the nearest local chapter, Sacramento Valley Rose. I also belong to an informal group of writers in my area, Sierra Romance Writers. They are a wonderfully supportive group!
I belong to RWA and the nearest local chapter, Sacramento Valley Rose. I also belong to an informal group of writers in my area, Sierra Romance Writers. They are a wonderfully supportive group!
9.) Do you have a day job?
Yup.
Yup.
10.) If you could do it over again, what aspects of the writing/submission process would you change before becoming published?
Maybe I would have joined RWA before I finished that first book rather than after, but that's about it. I don't think I would change anything else. I've learned something from each of my rejections and missteps, and they were lessons well learned. All that disappointment was necessary to truly savor the sweetness of seeing my work in print.
Maybe I would have joined RWA before I finished that first book rather than after, but that's about it. I don't think I would change anything else. I've learned something from each of my rejections and missteps, and they were lessons well learned. All that disappointment was necessary to truly savor the sweetness of seeing my work in print.
11.) What is the title of your upcoming/newly released novel, and where can we find it?
My novel is called The Marker, and it can be found on the Soul Mate website (www.soulmatepublishing.com/the-marker) and at Amazon (www.amazon.com/The-Marker-ebook/dp/B006MMYSR6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1324247125&sr=8-1) and Barnes and Noble.
Also, I would love to hear from fans! You can visit my website at www.megganconnors.com or on Facebook (www.facebook.com/pages/Meggan-Connors/120715354695518)
Blurb:
When her father loses her in a poker game, Lexie Markland is sent to work in the household of Nicholas Wetherby for one year to pay off the debt. Innocent, but not naïve, she is savvy enough to know she must maintain her distance from this man, who frustrates her with his relentless teasing but whose kisses bring her to her knees. Because although she may be just another conquest to him, it’s not just her heart in jeopardy should she succumb to Nicholas’ considerable charms.
Since his brother's death almost a year before, nothing has held Nicholas’ attention for long—not women, not booze, not even an excellent hand at cards. Nothing, that is, until he meets the woman he won in a drunken night of poker. Intrigued by his prize and her chilly reserve, he makes it his mission to crack Lexie’s cool demeanor. But even as passion explodes between them, the question remains: will Nicholas be able to take the ultimate risk...and gamble on love?
My novel is called The Marker, and it can be found on the Soul Mate website (www.soulmatepublishing.com/the-marker) and at Amazon (www.amazon.com/The-Marker-ebook/dp/B006MMYSR6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1324247125&sr=8-1) and Barnes and Noble.
Also, I would love to hear from fans! You can visit my website at www.megganconnors.com or on Facebook (www.facebook.com/pages/Meggan-Connors/120715354695518)
Blurb:
When her father loses her in a poker game, Lexie Markland is sent to work in the household of Nicholas Wetherby for one year to pay off the debt. Innocent, but not naïve, she is savvy enough to know she must maintain her distance from this man, who frustrates her with his relentless teasing but whose kisses bring her to her knees. Because although she may be just another conquest to him, it’s not just her heart in jeopardy should she succumb to Nicholas’ considerable charms.
Since his brother's death almost a year before, nothing has held Nicholas’ attention for long—not women, not booze, not even an excellent hand at cards. Nothing, that is, until he meets the woman he won in a drunken night of poker. Intrigued by his prize and her chilly reserve, he makes it his mission to crack Lexie’s cool demeanor. But even as passion explodes between them, the question remains: will Nicholas be able to take the ultimate risk...and gamble on love?
Congrats on your book! Looking forward to reading it.
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