Interview Time with Megan Curd
I had the pleasure of interviewing the wonderful and talented Megan Curd about the release of her new novel, Steel Lily. If you have not purchased it, please do so now. If you need more motivation, here is my review of it: http://reschreadsandreviews.wordpress.com/2013/07/28/steel-lily-by-megan-curd/
1. Steel Lily was amazing where did the inspiration for this story come from?
Aww, well thank you! I’m so glad you enjoyed it. 🙂 Steel Lily first started cropping up in my mind over Christmas of 2011. For some reason, the thought of what our world may be like if we didn’t take care of it. If we continued to abuse our resources, and then a massive war broke out. How would we deal? Could we survive? What would that look like? All of those ideas were swimming around, and Avery’s world is what came out of it.
2. What is your writing process, other then Starbucks mugs from various locations?
Bahaha, what’s wrong with having a different Starbucks mug from a various location each writing session? 😉 Other than the Starbucks juju, I always have music when I write, and each book kind of takes on its own feel. It’s fun to see it take form. Right now I’m writing the sequel to Steel Lily, Iron Pendulum, and it’s a lot different than Steel Lily’s music was. I’m enjoying it. Beyond the music, I have a notepad that I keep track of how many words I write. I got the idea from CJ Redwine in a panel at UtopYA. Every 500 words, I cross off on the notepad. It gives me a visual of what I’m accomplishing, and because I’m highly competitive with myself, it pushes me. I also do writing sprints, where I write with another author and check in in like an hour or so, with Mindy Ruiz, Angeline Kace, and Misty Provencher a lot. They keep my feet to the fire, and I love them for it!
3. You left Steel Lily wide open at the end, any hints as for what we can anticipate in Iron Pendulum?
You’re going to meet some new characters, one of which tried to make his way into book one, but it just didn’t quite work. So he’s getting his debut in book two, and then there’s another that just flat out said, “Write me in!” so I did. 🙂 You’ll see a lot more of the corrupt government, and Avery will figure out how awesome she really is. I’m hoping it all comes together nicely. 🙂
4. When you aren’t writing books we are all falling in love with, what are you reading?
I love J.K. Rowling, Cassandra Clare, Dan Brown, Ted Dekker, and Patrick Rothfuss. I read a LOT when I’m not writing. I think you have to read a lot to grow as a writer yourself. I love YA, but I’m game for a lot of fiction.
5. Do you ever think about branching outside of the YA genre? If so, what genre do you think you would try out?
I don’t, but if I did…it’d probably be adult paranormal. I’m not sure I could write contemporary. My books just seem to always have a fantasy bend to them of some sort. I read to escape into a new world, and my writing is the same. Writing contemporary would be hard. I’d keep wanting to toss in a vampire or werewolf, or have some catastrophic event take place, ha!
6. What authors have influenced you the most?
J.K. Rowling, Dan Brown, Cassandra Clare, and Piers Anthony. Piers Anthony’s book, On A Pale Horse, was the first book I ever truly fell in love with. For some reason it just stuck with me. I remember hating the cover, then reading it and going, wow, this is amazing. I was in high school and it was a book I had to read for class. I’m glad we got that assigned. It really changed how I viewed books.
7. Who is your favorite character to write about out of all your books? Why?
Out of all my books? I absolutely loved writing Ethan in Forbidden. He is such a jerk, such an arrogant guy, but he’s so much fun to write. I don’t know why, but he’s always been my favorite, with Jaxon a very close second. 🙂 I’m a sucker for dreads.
8. Did you edit out anything from Steel Lily that you wished would have made it to print?
Well, I deleted a character like I said earlier, so there were quite a few scenes of his that didn’t make it. However, he’s making up for it in book two, which makes me very happy! However, I did delete out a character being killed as well, and that character is alive and kicking because of a beta reader boycotting the idea. I’m glad she did, because I enjoy that character. See? There’s so much that happens behind the scenes! 😛
9. Describe your book in 4 words.
Hopefully one you’ll like. (How’s that? Lol) No seriously, I would say, rollercoaster ride of suspense. Maybe? Not sure. I hope I can pull off the twists okay! 🙂
10. Finally, can you please promise there will be plenty more witty banter between Avery and Jaxon?!
I can do you one better, and promise there will more of Avery and Jaxon on the witty banter level AND on the steamy level. I’m actually having quite a bit of fun developing their relationship. They’re battling the regular things that happen in a relationship, and they have to learn to trust one another while apart. It’s a fun dynamic to see develop. I never want them to sacrifice their identities to be with each other, so it’s important to me they don’t fall into that “I’d die if I ever lost you” crazy phase, but that the reader knows they’re better together than apart. I think in a real relationship, you can’t be all-encompassing and lose your identity to the other person, so I don’t want them to do that, either. But they’re also 15 and 16, so they’re obviously dealing with emotions of a new relationship. I hope it all works out for them! I’m really rooting for their relationship. Their banter cracks me up.
ABOUT MEGAN CURD:
Megan Curd is a graduate of Northwestern College in St. Paul, Minnesota. While having always enjoyed reading any books she could get her hands on, Megan didn’t begin writing until a friend encouraged her to do so while in college.
When not writing, Megan enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She loves to snowboard and travel to new places, and doesn’t turn down the opportunity to play xBox with her brother and friends when it presents itself.
Megan currently resides in Stanton, Kentucky with her husband, son, and Great Dane named Dozer.
CONNECT TO MEGAN CURD:
OFFICIAL WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE
Enjoyed this interview so much. Thanks for sharing.