Sunday, June 23, 2013

Behind the Scenes: Author Process Interview Series Featuring Megan Martin

Hello Megan and thank you, for stopping by on my blog today for my Behind the Scenes: Author Process Interview series. I hope you found my questions thought provoking and I hope my readers will find a glimpse into the author's mind thought-provoking and educational.


Writing Routines/Mechanics

  1. Do you have a writing routine? How often do you write?
-I do have a writing routine. I try to write every day, at least 2k, though I don’t always end up writing this much, it is definitely my goal. (Otherwise I would never finish anything)
  1. How long typically does it take you to finish a piece?
-I used to be terrible, I would start things and then take OVER A YEAR to finish them, but now I am much better. It typically will only take me 2-3 months to finish something.
  1. Do you use outlines? Are you a pantser or outliner? Can you do both?
-I am some sort of hybrid of both. I usually make a general outline of where my book is going, though not with too much detail and the nitty gritty info is subject to change. You know how characters go, always running off in one direction with guns blazing without permission.

Writing Inspirations/Process

  1. How do you come up with story ideas?
-I usually get my ideas from everyday life like most writers. I find inspiration in the simplest things. Like a man walking down the highway. A catch phrase that clicks into something in my mind and spurns a plot theme, a picture. Things like that.
  1. Do the characters just come to you or does it take a bit of work to get them straightened out?
-I have to say both on this one. I have had characters come to me, whole and full of their own issues, while I have had others that have taken longer to evolve.
  1. Do you completed a first draft and then revise or do you revise as you go?
-I typically revise as I go, though this doesn’t mean that I don’t make changes when I go back over it, before sending it out to beta readers.
  1. Are you ever worried about offending anyone with a character or plot choice? How does that effect your writing?
-Oh, girl. All the time! My characters seem to want to do things that people would find crazy, awkward, or just down-right wrong. I try very hard to let them do what they want, because in reality, that’s what people do and I like for my characters to feel as real as possible.


Marketing/Publishers/Reviews

  1. Do you have pen name? (Don't worry, not asking you to share your real name.) How did you pick your pen name? What made you decide to have a pen name?
-I use my real name. I considered using a pen name when I first started writing, but found that I wanted my real name to be associated with what I had written. I found it to be more rewarding.
  1. How do you deal with rejection letters?
-Rejection letters are a part of being an author and they have helped me grow. I wouldn’t be the writer I am today without a whole plethora of rejection letters.
  1. How do you feel about reviews? Do you read your reviews? How do you move on from a horrible review?
-I definitely read reviews. Like rejection letters, it is the bad reviews that help me grow as writer.


Writing Genres/Heat Levels

  1. What genres do you write now? What genres would you like to write/branch out to in the future?
-All I write is romance (of course I am a romance junkie! Lol) I have spaced myself out across several different romance genres though. Historical, contemporary erotica, and paranormal.
  1. Heat Levels. What heat levels do you write? Can you write multiple heat levels? Are there any heat levels that you feel uncomfortable with?
-I usually write toward a higher heat level. There are always some graphic scenes in my books. ;)
  1. Do you write BDSM? How do you feel it is portrayed in books today?
-I don’t write BDSM, but I love to read it. I don’t know much about the BDSM world, not enough to write a book about it, but I find it very interesting.

Writing: Types of Stories

  1. What length of stories do you write? Do you find certain lengths of stories sell better than others? Do you prefer to write a certain length over others?
-I have written a novella, a novelette, a short story, and a novel. LOL, so I can be versatile. As far as what sells better, I’m not really sure, but I know that I, as a reader, prefer to read books of novel length, so I don’t plan on writing anything short in the near future…though that doesn’t mean it won’t happen. ;)
  1. Have you written any pieces in an anthology? Does it help get more readers to standalone books? Do you think anthologies sell well?
-I have had the privilege of being a part of one anthology. The HerStory anthology that came out in March 2013. To be honest, I loved this experience. I got to work with a bunch of amazing authors and got the chance to expand my writing circle. Definitely something that I would like to do again in the future.
  1. How do you feel about series? Do you think they sell better? Are easier or harder to write?
-I love series. I love to read them and I’m currently writing one right now the first of my paranormal series will be published later this year with Dragonfairy press. For more info click here. I think they are a great way to build an audience as a writer, but I also have found that they post challenges to the writer because you definitely have to have continuity.

Writing Background

  1. What type of formal training have you had with writing? Do you think it has helped or hindered you?
-I am a junior in college and an English major. Focusing on English has definitely helped with my writing. I have been exposed to a lot of classical pieces through school as well as learned how to perfect my writing as a whole.
  1. When did you first start writing? Do you remember your first story? First genre?
-My first story that I wrote was titled Beautiful Nightmare. A paranormal novel that ended up being over 125k. WOWZA. It is unpublished and is horribly written, lol. It was my first though, and I will always love that story.

Writing Support Groups/Forums/Nanowrimo/Networking

  1. Have you done nanowrimo or any variation of nanowrimo? Do you think it helped or hindered you? Do you plan on doing it in the future?
-I haven’t tried out nanowrimo, but I would like to in the future. I think it is a great idea and opportunity to band writers together and get stuff done!
  1. Do you do writing sprints? Do you think they help?
-I haven’t done sprints before, but they do seem to help out others. I have considered giving it a try, though I just haven’t yet.
Thank you so much for having me Sally!



Megan’s debut novella is a Historical Holocaust Romance titled Forbidden Angel.



Blurb: When captured by the Nazis, Sarah finds herself in a concentration camp that not only brings her closer to death...but closer to love.
Sarah Brenner, a young Jewish woman, is terrified when she finds herself in the heat of a railcar bound for a work camp in Nazi Germany. For years she, along with her mother and sister, had hidden from the SS, but no one could hide forever. Her hatred for those who have enslaved them is ever-growing, especially when they arrive and she encounters the shockingly handsome Nazi doctor who can’t seem to keep his eyes—or hands—off her.
Aurel Rothstein is not your everyday concentration camp physician. The endless prisoners and lack of care he's allowed to give have made him numb to the work he so coveted. It isn’t until he comes face to face with a beautiful prisoner that his heart becomes involved with his job—a forbidden and fatal move to any Nazi.
When a vile soldier takes direct interest in Sarah, she will be forced to make a choice that will change her life forever: ignore the pull toward the handsome doctor or give in to the forbidden passion he awakens with only a look. Either way they both risk everything...
Buy on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Forbidden-Angel-ebook/dp/B00AOF9U6Q/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1356715861&sr=1-1&keywords=megan+d+martin




Author Bio
Megan D. Martin is a multi-published author, mother, student and editor. In her spare time she enjoys decorating her house with strange things that do not match, playing her old school Nintendo Entertainment System, and buying fish for her many fish tanks. 
Website: http://www.MeganDMartin.com




Thank you so much Megan, for stopping by!  :-)




2 comments:

  1. Great post guys!

    I loved Forbidden Angel! Such a good story :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks for hosting me Sally!

    & Thanks Dee! I heart you! :)

    ReplyDelete