Fighting Prose Interview with Megan Musgrove!

Welcome to my in-depth writers series Fighting Prose. Where I talk to authors in the industry on what their process is like and what it takes for them to keep on creating, through all the odds.

Megan Musgrove

is my interview this week!

How long have you been writing?

Officially, coming up to ten years. But I've been scribbling stories of my own ever since I was about six.

If you've written several books, which is your favorite?

I think I would have to go with Taming Her Stallion, my first attempt at a historical romance. There's so much more to think about with that genre, and not just historical accuracy in regards to the settings and clothing. The social constraints of the time make it so interesting create the dynamic between the characters. You can't just have your love interests meet in a bar and go home together the first night they meet. It's much more of a slow burn.

What's your favorite genre to read? Write?

It very much depends on how I'm feeling. At the moment, because of the lockdown situation and my brain not wanting to think too deeply about anything, I'm quite happy with a straightforward contemporary romance (the trashier the better) because I know what I'm getting from it and can just enjoy it. When my brain is a bit more functional, I quite like a biography about a female historical figure or Golden Age Hollywood.

How do you get in the mood to write?

I find sometimes the mood to write just hits me and I have to make the most of that mood whilst I'm feeling it. Otherwise I have to set myself up in a calm environment, without distractions.

How do your characters come together?

I have a general idea of my characters' personalities before I start writing and usually put together a basic outline, but they tend to develop more once I am in the writing process.

How do you get your ideas?

I feel like a magpie in that I can pick up bits and pieces almost anywhere that I can use in one of my works. Without really looking for it, something small can suddenly inspire me. The idea for my book The Sewing Bee came after I started sewing lessons and the plot of Taming Her Stallion started to come together after I had been to the races in Newmarket. Inspiration is everywhere. For my current novel, a lot of inspiration for Winfield Hall has come from Christchurch Mansion, which is one of my favourite buildings in my hometown.

Who do you admire the most in the writing world?

Jane Austen. Pride and Prejudice is one my favourite books of all time. I admire Austen because she was able to become a prominent female writer in a time when literature (and life in general) was male dominated.

If you're not busy writing, what are you busy doing?

I'm currently working on getting my Fitness Instructor qualification so if I'm not working on my writing, I'm reading about energy systems and types of muscles. To get away from my computer screen, I can be found taking my dog for a walk around some of the gorgeous spots we have here in Suffolk.

Have you always been creative? Has it always been writing?

I've always had a head full of ideas. Though my creativity doesn't extend beyond my mind. If it involves my hands, it probably won't end well. I cannot paint or draw to save my life. That was why, after a sewing class, I ended up writing a book based around people sewing, rather than taking it up as a hobby!

Have you ever had writer’s block? If so, how did you get out of it?

I find the best way to get over writers block is to step away and take a break. Do something else, clear your head and come back to your work with fresh eyes.

When you sit down to write, is it easy or hard? If it's hard, what makes you keep showing up?

Sometimes it is easy and sometimes it can feel like more of an uphill struggle. I always find the first 20k words of a new idea easy to fly through. It's finishing the book without getting distracted by a new idea that can be the hardest part. Scheduling writing sessions and setting word count goals really helps. Little steps add up to big things.

For a writer starting out what advice would you give them?

Just start. Putting pen to paper is the main hurdle to overcome.

What is your dream writing location?

In a nice café, with a cappuccino and a pastry. With the current lockdown situation, I haven't been able to sit in a café and write for the longest time. I miss it so much!

In reference to your books, what question do you get asked the most?

I'm just lucky in that the ideas seem to come to me.

If you could bring one of your characters to life who would it be? Why?

Aidan Oakley from Baby, It's Cold Outside. He's just such a good guy. If he were a real person, some lucky woman would have the chance of ending up with him.

What do you think makes a good story?

Writing something that you would want to read yourself. If you choose to write something that you just think would be popular will end up sounding inauthentic and it won't be as enjoyable to write.