Ask the Author: Megan Shepherd
Answered Questions (31)
Megan Shepherd
Sree, I'm thrilled that you're mad for the book! I try not to impose morals on my readers; I prefer for them to be able to take away their own messages from it based on their own experiences and interpretation. Personally, writing the book helped me grapple with big questions about the line between human and animal, playing God, and if there's a purpose to the darkness in life. I hope you found some useful moral questions as well!
Megan Shepherd
My favorite characters to write were the most monstrous ones...Dr. Moreau, Edward/the Beast, Hensley, and Juliet herself. I love a good morally ambiguous character with questionable intent.
Megan Shepherd
Review copies of my upcoming books are almost always available on NetGalley and Edelweiss. THE SECRET HORSES OF BRIAR HILL is on both of those now. Happy reading!
Megan Shepherd
I've found that each book has required a unique process. For one book, I dove into writing the first draft as soon as the idea hit and wrote the whole thing very quickly. But for most of my books, I take about 2-6 weeks to brainstorm and research and outline, 3-4 months to write a first draft, 1 month to edit that myself, and then it takes another 6 months to edit it with my publishing house. On a daily basis, I try to vary my days. Some days I won't write at all, and spend the whole day doing the "business" side of writing. Other days I'll write for 10-12 hours a day!
Megan Shepherd
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Megan Shepherd
Fun question! For middle grade reads, I adored PAX, THE WILD ROBOT, and MAYBE A FOX. For young adult, I loved AND I DARKEN and THREE DARK CROWNS (forthcoming). And for adult books, I'm currently reading and loving SMOKE by Dan Vyleta.
Megan Shepherd
I live in a 125-year-old farmhouse. There have been three major fires on the property since it was built: one that killed the caretakers; one that burned down the dairy barn; and one that badly burned the former owner on New Year's Eve. Every once in a while I wake up smelling smoke and my vision has turned red, as though the house is on fire, but it's just an illusion. Still, spooky!
Megan Shepherd
Study the masters. Just like aspiring painters first learn to mimic the "greats" before developing their own style, it can be helpful in the learning stages of writing to mimic the tone, plotting, and style of some of your favorite established authors. Of course, be careful not to copy! It's an exercise only. Soon, you'll develop your own writing voice.
Megan Shepherd
I really loved the characters of Montgomery, Edward, and Juliet most of all. I thought they all had such complicated desires & problems. But I think I connected with Juliet most, maybe because I felt such sympathy for her being female during the Victorian time period, and interested in science.
Megan Shepherd
Thank you, Kat! The Madman's Daughter series is finished, but have you picked up my latest series, The Cage? If you do, I hope you enjoy it just as much!
Megan Shepherd
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Megan Shepherd
I always loved the classics, particularly THE ISLAND OF DR. MOREAU by H.G. Wells, which the book is based on, but my original inspiration was the TV show LOST!
Megan Shepherd
I don't have any say in the covers...that's up to my publisher's design department, and I lucked out by getting a great team who really understood the mood of the books. As far as the titles, I always have a working title, and it rarely ends up as the final one, except in the case of The Madman's Daughter. That was the working title too, and my editor luckily loved it enough to keep it.
Megan Shepherd
Candy corn! I could eat it by the handful
Megan Shepherd
I'd have stood up for myself more. As a new writer, I often let other people make key decisions I didn't always agree with.
Megan Shepherd
I hope so! There has been a lot of film interest in the series. Currently there is a great script out there, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed it lands in the right hands of a producer who will know just how to bring the story to the big screen.
Megan Shepherd
The next book, currently untitled, comes out May 2016. But since that's a long time to wait I'm working on a novella from Cassian's perspective. Look for it this winter!
Megan Shepherd
Hi Christina! Yes, there are multiple interests, though the romance plot line in the book isn't the main one. What can I say, I remembering being 16, when more than one person caught my eye :)
Megan Shepherd
Right now I'm working on a secret middle grade book, and the second book in the CAGE series. Title to be announced soon!
Megan Shepherd
Always focus on craft. Beginning writers often get swept up in the "glamour" of being published, and spend most of their time researching agents, working on their website, etc. But the only way to really get ahead is to write a brilliant book. Then, publishing comes naturally.
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