Megan4_webRecently, I was fortunate enough to read and review Kensington Books’ The Lost Sister.  I enjoyed it a great deal and feel quite honored that the author, Megan Kelley Hall, took time out of her busy schedule to chat with me.

Q: What are you currently working on?
MKH: While I would love to continue the SISTERS OF MISERY series, I’m taking a little break from Maddie, Cordelia and Finn to focus on another YA paranormal suspense thriller.  I can’t really talk about it yet, because my agent currently has it out with a bunch of publishers/editors.  Hopefully, I’ll have some exciting news soon. But, there are a lot of film people looking at SISTERS OF MISERY and it’s making the rounds in Hollywood, so perhaps there will be film version. Fingers crossed!! Who would your readers like to see cast?

Q: What is a day in the life of Megan Kelley Hall like?
MKH: Super glamorous.  Breakfast with Brad, Angelina and the kids, shopping sprees in NY with Blake Lively and Leighton Meester, Gwyneth and Madonna and then jetting off to Johnny Depp’s island for dinner and drinks. The downside is dealing with paparazzi, fielding phone calls from Robert Pattinson (no, you cannot play Finn, Robert!)and deciding where to spend my millions of dollars.

Ha! No, seriously, it’s the exact opposite of glamorous. Wake up. Get my daughter to camp (in summer) or school. Drink cup of coffee. Stare at computer. Work, answer emails, go on Facebook. Have another cup of coffee. Clean up dog pee (my Yorkie is nine and still not housetrained). Talk with agent/editor/other writers.  More writing/editing or revising. Do laundry. Go grocery shopping. Clean up a bit. Have another cup of coffee. Pick up daughter and either play/ride bikes/go to park (she usually decides–I typically don’t have a say.) Run errands. Make dinner for family (or send my husband out for pizza). Watch TV. Get daughter ready for bed.  Check email one last time. Read until I can barely keep my eyes open. Go to bed.

Some days are more exciting than others, like when I go to writer’s conferences or go out for coffee with other authors.  Laurie Stolarz lives in the next town and we try to get together once in awhile to talk about writing, the publishing world, our kids, etc.

Q: What character in literature do you wish you had created?
MKH: Eloise

Q: What is the most difficult part of writing for you?
MKH: The blank page. I also hate the middle of the book, right around page 150, because I get pretty bored/impatient and I’m usually thinking about my next book. My agent knows that I get easily distracted and tries to keep me focused on my current project. But I’m always coming up with new ideas, new stories. I’m also the queen of procrastination. It takes a lot to get me back on track.

Q: What is your number one tip for writers?
MKH: Be persistent and resilient.  Rejection is a major part of a writer’s life. If you want to be a writer, you need to keep the faith, keep moving forward, don’t be derailed by rejection. Use criticism wisely and don’t let anyone dissuade you from following your dream.

Q: What five things do you need when writing?
MKH: Me personally? First of all, I need time. That’s a big one.  Focus. Coffee. A pad of paper and pen (when I get stuck, I have to revert to writing in freehand.) How many is that? Um…and a radio. I get really inspired when listening to music. But, I don’t rely on my iPod or my own playlists. I need a diverse selection of music to shake up my writing and take me to different places/mindsets.

Thank you Megan it was a pleasure to get the opportunity to chat with you.  To find out more about Megan Kelley Hall and her books please check out her website or follow her on Twitter at @MeganKelleyHall.