Spotlight on Megan Hart

December 2003

Sharyn:The author of several romantic novels, Megan's booklist runs the gamut of historical romance to romantic suspense to fantasy erotic romance. Whatever the genre, you can't deny her talent. I had a chance to sit down with Megan and discuss her work.

Megan, thanks for taking time out of your busy day to talk with me. I'll try to go easy on you. When you did you first know you wanted to be a writer? Did you start writing then?

Megan: I've always known I wanted to be a writer. For as long as I can remember I've made up stories. I can recall lying in bed at night making up stories about the Dukes of Hazzard (yes, I like Bo, not Luke). I wrote stories about Star Wars, E.T., unicorns, teddy bears, whatever.

Sharyn: Is it difficult to balance life, family and other obligations with your writing?

Megan: Sometimes I think it's very difficult. Other times, I don't know how people who don't juggle ten things at once keep themselves occupied. I'm very fortunate in that I am able to stay home to raise my children. This means my house is always a mess. It means I "can" write during the day...but that I don't, because I am running around after my four year old son, Destructo-boy. I try to cherish the time I spend with my family and plan my task efficiently enough that I can spend time with them and still make time for my writing. Sometimes the writing gets the boot. Some days my son watches too much tv. It all balances out.

Sharyn: Do you treat your writing like any other job, i.e. set time everyday and this many chapters? Or do you write when the mood strikes you?

Megan: I do try to write every day. I usually write at night, since the day is taken up with motherly and wifely and housegoddessly duties. I do set goals for myself. A chapter a week. One hundred pages a month. (Email's don't count.) Complete one short story in a week and edit in another. Those sorts of things. If I can't do a lot on one day, I try to make it up on another. I get next to zero time on the weekends. I have two mornings a week while both kids are in school that is my own, and I use them! I write at the local college library while Destructo-boy is in preschool. It's a great feeling to write 20 pages in one day when that's my goal for the entire week! But those days are few. I look forward to my kids both being in full day school but wonder if I'll be more or less efficient and prolific! And then I won't have the excuse of kids!

Sharyn: Tell us a bit about the way you write... do you plot everything, leaving no room for sudden and unexplained shifts? Or do you just go with the flow?

Megan: Heck no! I don't plot! I know the beginning. I probably know the end, though I've surprised myself sometimes. The middle...well, that's the fun part. I play a lot of "what if." I have a lot of EUREKA! moments. Those are great.

Sharyn: The life of an author can be challenging, do you have plenty of people offering support & encouragement?

Megan: I am so lucky in that I have a wonderful network of family and friends who support me not only by their words, but by their actions. They actually buy my books! Can you believe it? My grandma buys copies of my books. My relatives and friends are very excited for me, and completely support me. My husband is one of my biggest cheerleaders, and so are my kids. They don't know exactly what I write, of course...but they know mommy is a book writer.

Sharyn: I've often heard an author never forgets the moment they learned their novel had been accepted for publication. Do you remember where you were and what you were doing?

Megan: I was sitting at my computer, checking email, and I read the note and thought "No way."

Sharyn: All of your novels are available through e-publishers, in both print and ebook format. Is there more freedom, plot-wise, than there is through traditional publishers?

Megan: As I have not been published by a traditional publisher, I can't really answer that one from experience. I would say yes, from what I've heard, and from what I've learned from other people. I think the e-book industry is only going to keep growing and growing, and I'm glad to be a part of it. Sure, I'd like my books to come out through one of "those other" publishers. That would be great. But I'm writing the books I want to write, what makes me happy and fulfilled, and what's important to me is that readers are having the opportunity to read my work and (I hope) enjoy it.

Sharyn: What’s the biggest thing, you think, aspiring authors should know?

Megan: Writing ain't always pretty. It isn't easy, it's not always fun, it can be a royal pain in the nether parts. But on the days when it works...it's glorious. You have to stick with it. Write when you don't feel like it. Yes, it's creative, and yes, it's great, but it is also a job.

Sharyn: Would you please tell us a bit about your available books and where they can be found?

Megan: Right now, all of my titles are available through Amber Quill Press. You can read excerpts and reviews and view cover art at www.amberquill.com, and my website, www.meganhart.com. I have two historical romances, Riverboat Bride and Lonesome Bride, an erotic science fiction, Passion Model and a romantic suspense, Convicted. I also have several short erotica stories out including Playing the Game , Dream Upon Waking and Right to Remain.

Sharyn: You have written novels in both romance and the erotic romance field. What is the biggest difference between the two?

Megan: The language. I write erotic romances. My romances are spicy and my erotics are romantic. At least that's my intention. The biggest difference is the word choice. I don't think I need to spell out which words. :)

Sharyn: The last few years have seen a surge in erotic romances. Why do you think they're so popular? And will they stay that way?

Megan: I think women enjoy sex, but haven't been encouraged to express that interest in the same way men have. Men have long had magazines and literature designed for their sexual pleasure, but those things were geared toward men. Men and women have different triggers, for the most part. What turns a man on might only annoy a woman, or even repulse her! Not in all cases, of course. But generally speaking, what gets women hot is not the same for men. Now women are writing the stories that fire their imaginations, and other women are reading them. Erotica is like chocolate kisses. There is absolutely no way you can only eat one! And if you're like me, you finish the whole darn bag in one sitting!

Sharyn: What does the coming year hold for you?

Megan: This year I plan to release one short erotica story in every month from Amber Quill Press (www.amberquill.com). I'l also have a humorous contemporary out called LoveMatch, and a re-release of my contemporary romance Nothing In Common. I hope to finish my fantasy novel as well as the third book in my science fiction trilogy. One way or another, I'm going to see An Exaltation of Larks back in publication, as well as its sequel A Siege of Herons. I have enough on my plate to keep me writing for the next year, that's for sure! Oh, and I can't forget the serial killer novel I've been thinking about....

Sharyn: Now that I've picked your brain and made you think, why don't we move to something fun? What's your favorite time period and why?

Megan: Hmm. Good question. I really like the early 1900's fashions -- I loved Titanic with Kate Winslet and the gorgeous walking dresses and big hats! But I don't think I'd have liked to live in that time. I also have a fondness for the Elizabethan period, since I spent two years working at my local Rennaissance Faire.

Sharyn: Out of all your books, which is your favorite and why?

Megan: Still, An Exaltation of Larks. It's currently out of print and not available, though I intend to change that by the end of 2004. It was the first book I ever started, the second I ever finished and the first I ever published. Plus, I love the characters of Perion and Mason. Mason is my all time favorite hero.

Sharyn: The holidays are here and between the shopping and visiting, everyone makes time for their favorite part. What's yours?

Megan: My favorite part? Of...what? Okay, I'm totally out the window on this one. I make time for my favorite part of the holiday?! I'd have to say opening gifts with my children is the best time. My daughter was able to buy gifts through school this year, without me along, and opening her choices has been absolutely precious. I also enjoy movie night with my family. We celebrate Hanukkah, with eight nights of themes. Games, movie, crafts, etc. Watching my kids' faces light up when they see what sort of gooey, messy, sparkly extravaganza we're going to create is such a blast. (Please keep in mind that, on the whole, I am NOT a craft and cookie mom!So this is something really special.)

Sharyn: Megan, thanks again for chatting with me. I had a wonderful time.

Megan: Me too! Thanks!

To learn more about Megan, her available and upcoming titles, please visit her website: www.meganhart.com.

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