Megan Morgan's Blog, page 5

Friday Thoughts

Happy Friday, everyone! How are you doing this week? Anything planned for the weekend?

I’m slowly getting back into a regular writing and blogging routine–and I’ve really missed it. My day job kept my life pretty stressful and chaotic for a while, but I also know it was an utter lack of motivation at the end of the day that contributed. I HAD time, I just chose to be lazy with it, because I was so mentally and emotionally drained from everything else going on. Things are a bit less hectic now, but I know if I want to use the precious free time I have wisely, I’m going to have to make myself do it. My life is not going to go back to the way it was before, at least not for the foreseeable future.

Is it any wonder we escape into fantasy worlds?

Last night I attended the Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards, which honor works that explore themes of racism and diversity. I went with a friend (the woman who is the subject of the top blog post on that page) and it was such a great experience! It was really interesting listening to the award winners talk about their books and read passages from them. I met Shane McCrae and got an autographed copy of his book of poem and prose In the Language of My Captor. I’m eager to start reading it!

On my personal writing front, I’m awaiting edits on my current in-production book (with tentative, possibly-to-change release in November) and writing the sequel to it. I’m going to do something with my upcoming book that I haven’t done before and see how it turns out–and of course, I’ll make sure I share the experience on here so you guys can learn more. I’m going to use a PR service to promote it. I struggle with self-promotion beyond the obvious outlets (Facebook, Twitter, blogs, etc.) and I want to find out if it’s worth the money to hire someone else to promote it. If not, well–lesson learned. However, I feel like I can reach a wider audience (and of course, spend a lot less personal time doing so) than I can by myself. I’ll be sure to blog about the results after. Have any of you used a PR service to promote a book?

Everyone have a great weekend!

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Happy Fall!

I know I’m a few days late, but autumn has officially arrived in the northern hemisphere: my favorite season! I fully admit I’m one of those people who is all about fall leaves and colors, sweaters, fires, and pumpkin spice/apple flavored/scented EVERYTHING. And of course, Halloween! I love all the imagery and trappings of fall. I do like spring and summer too…basically, anything that isn’t winter.

I’m a bit of a freak about decorating, also. I swear I decorate as much for fall as I do for Christmas. You can click the pictures for full-size!

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[image error] Definitely a fake plant, as I kill real ones by just being in their presence.

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[image error] As you can see, despite it being fall, summer lingers on in the background. When will the fall outside match the fall in my heart?!

Do you like fall? Do you decorate for it?

Once again I must apologize for my lack of posting lately–I’m going to try to work my way back up to three posts a week. I’m trying to get back to a regular writing routine, as well. Real life is too distracting! But clearly, I have time to decorate.

The Change of the Season

[image error]This post is part of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group blog hop. The first Wednesday of every month is Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. The awesome co-hosts for the September 5 posting of the IWSG are Toi Thomas, T. Powell Coltrin, M.J. Fifield, and Tara Tyler!

September has arrived! That means here in the northern hemisphere fall is just around the corner–my favorite season. It’s still pretty hot and summery here, so I’m trying not to get ahead of myself, but I can’t wait to break out the fall decor.

So, any insecurities for me as the seasons change? Why, of course! Those of you who follow me might remember I recently had another book accepted for publication–my lucky 13th! I’m working on the sequel right now and it’s an interesting writing experience. I kind of dragged my feet on it for a long time and was writing it slowly, but lately I’ve been working hard on it. My day job schedule is often erratic and cuts into my writing time, so I’m snatching time here and there where I can. Which means I go a couple of days without writing anything and then binge-write 5,000 words at a time. So far, it seems to be working for me. Even though I have the story kind of plotted out I’m surprising myself with where the emotional twists and turns are happening.

But, what if my fire dies out?! What if I get into another slump like my job was putting me in this summer? I really want to keep up the momentum on this series. I want to work on my OTHER series too and get the next book in that one out. Often I paralyze myself by thinking about all the things I want to do–and then not doing any of them.

Why did I become a writer again?

September 5 question – What publishing path are you considering/did you take, and why?

I went the traditional route, though I did self-publish two books just to see what it was like. I probably didn’t do things the way most self-published people do, because I didn’t spend any money on publishing them outside of the stock photos I bought for the covers. I’m blessed that I have graphic design skills and could do my own. I’m also a pretty damn good self-editor. The books have sold well and gotten some rave reviews so…I guess I did good?

The thing is though, I don’t think I’d do it again (apart from self-pubbing the last book in the series, which I’m working on). Only because while I CAN do the work to get them out in the world, I don’t WANT to. I’d rather leave it to the publishing house. Self-publishing is a job in itself and I’d rather just write and hand it to someone else to turn into a book. Am I lazy? Probably. If I was making money hand over fist self-pubbing I’d probably feel different, but I’m not.

Happy September, everyone!

Happy Labor Day!

Here in the US, it’s Labor Day today, a day to celebrate workers. I will personally be celebrating it by…working, of course. I hope you get to have some fun today though! It’s also the official-unofficial last day of summer. Bring on the fall I say!

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A New Publication and the Power of Technology

Happy Monday everyone! I’m popping onto the blog with some good news today–I had another book accepted for publication! Somehow, in the midst of my currently chaotic life, I managed to get another book published (granted, it was submitted back before things got truly chaotic). This is lucky number 13 for me. I can hardly believe it! After years and years of being utterly convinced I’d never be a “real writer” I’ve accomplished so much it boggles my mind. 2018 has been the most successful year for my writing career so far.

So, can I be rich and famous now?

I kid, I kid. I just feel very grateful and blessed that I’ve managed to do as much as I have, and I’m going to continue working at it, even if I never get to quit my stressful day job. I’d keep writing even if I never made another dime from it. I love writing, and I love doing it for the sake of doing it.

This book is the first in a new paranormal series set in…wait for it…Iceland! I’m still working on my contemporary Man Catalog series, but paranormal romance is my first love and I knew I’d come back to it eventually. I’m just trying to vary my writing a bit to keep my mind sharp and I’m having a lot of fun with it, as well. Still, I knew the spooky things would draw me back in.

The funny thing about this book is I wrote it BEFORE I went to Iceland this summer. The country and the scenery plays a huge part in the story, and I literally described it and created the settings by using the imagery in Google Maps. I finished the book and sent it off before we went on our trip, or literally, before we had even solidified we were going on the trip. So when I got to Iceland I was like “oh please, don’t let the stuff I described be utterly wrong.” I was amazed to find all the sites I used were absolutely spot on in their descriptions–it was almost eerie. I felt like I had been standing in those places before, even though it was my first time there. Google Maps is a godsend! The power of technology is amazing. I’m also a very visual writer, so just seeing a picture helps me tremendously.

Anyway, the book is tentatively set for release in November–I’ll keep you updated! Everyone have a great day!

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Fighting For It

[image error]This post is part of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group blog hop. The first Wednesday of every month is Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. The awesome co-hosts for the August 1 posting of the IWSG are Erika Beebe, Sandra Hoover, Susan Gourley, and Lee Lowery!

Hoo boy, this is my first post on the blog in WEEKS and I simply must apologize to my followers and readers. Offline life was wild in July. The good: I went on an AMAZING vacation to Iceland (which I will talk about in another blog post this week). The suck: my ‘day job’ has increased in hours, responsibilities, and the demand for my attention, so I’ve had a hard time being around on here even when I’m not on vacation. Real life bites, doesn’t it? Except when it nibbles.

That’s where my insecurity comes from this month, of course–all the outside demands for my attention means my writing, and certainly my blogging, is suffering. Some nights I literally come home from work, sleep, and go right back in the morning. In theory, this situation is only temporary due to various factors at work, but it leaves me no time or energy for writing right now. I can barely maintain my house and run errands let alone find time to be creative.

But, I’m going to try to fit it in, chaos be damned. Because I have fit it in, all my life, no matter what was happening. I’ve always MADE the time and I’m going to have to do that again until things get smoother. I just have to find the focus. Hey, at least I made it for the IWSG this month!

August 1 question – What pitfalls would you warn other writers to avoid on their publication journey?

One thing that took me a long time to realize is not to rush things. Though it hurts to admit, not everything you write is gold. Especially when you’re a fairly new writer. In fact, you write a lot of crap that you think is brilliant but is really, well, crap. When I was younger I tended to think I was some kind of magician with words and was quick to send all my fine masterpieces off to publishers way ahead of them actually being ready for publication–and I received an ever-growing steaming pile of rejections as a result.

Writing and perfecting a work takes time–a lot of time, and a lot of patience. And even when you do shape and mold it carefully and get it all pretty and shiny, it might still be a dud and never get published. But if us writers are anything, it’s gluttons for punishment. So try, try again!

Thank you to all my readers for sticking around during this time. I’m going to try to get more posts up this month!

Happy Fourth of July!

If you’re in the U.S. today, have a blast–with fireworks!

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It’s a Living (Someday)

[image error]This post is part of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group blog hop. The first Wednesday of every month is Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. The awesome co-hosts for the July 3 posting of the IWSG are Nicki Elson, Juneta Key, Tamara Narayan, and Patricia Lynne!

This month we’re doing the IWSG posting a day early because tomorrow is the Fourth of July here in the U.S. A time for fireworks and grilling, and…well, just mostly blowing things up. It’s insanely hot here right now too, as we have our few annual weeks of summer. I’ll be working, but I sorta volunteered for it because it’s extra money and I didn’t have any plans anyway. I get more of a kick out of listening to everyone set off fireworks in my neighborhood all night long. What are your plans, if you’re celebrating?

I’m trying to work on a new book right now but life is kind of stressing me out, so my attention has been drawn away. That makes me anxious because I’ve submitted everything I have written already, so now–I gotta write something new! And as we all know, making new stuff is the longest, hardest part of the process. Sigh, when are we going to have the technology so I can just project things from my brain onto the screen, huh?

But hey, I had a new book out last week…and that’s an accomplishment! I’m happy and proud.

July 3 question – What are your ultimate writing goals, and how have they changed over time (if at all)?

My ultimate writing goal is to make a living off writing. Not to be rich and famous necessarily (though I wouldn’t be unhappy if I was) but to make enough money off it to live comfortably. To not have to go to a day job and instead pay the bills with writing. That would be a dream–spending all day writing and making actual money off it! That’s why I write as much as I do and get anxious when I get stalled, because I know for that dream to ever come true I have to put in the work. Maybe someday I’ll have a bestseller and it will be easier.

I think this has always been my goal–when I was younger it was just to get published, now it’s to make a career out of getting published.

How about you?

Boyfriend Material Release Day

It’s release day for Boyfriend Material! Check it out below and get it at your favorite retailer! I’ll add more links as they become available.

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[image error]Boyfriend Material (The Man Catalog #2)

Need a date? Or a temporary boyfriend? How about a husband in a hurry? The professionals at SASS—Singles Arrangement Service Specialists—are here to help.

Grace Bennington used to live the good life: from cocktail waitress to the heights of society via a rich husband, it all came crashing down when he went to prison. Now, she’s left alone with their elitist friends—wealthy, contemptuous sharks circling her as she drowns. During a weekend in Barbados, she needs a hot man on her arm to save face.

Tybalt “Ty” Rossi is a Greek-Italian store owner trying to make ends meet. One of the ways is to sell his services to needy women. Being dumped in the same pool with a bunch of sneering snobs is a job hazard he’s not prepared for, but at least Grace and Ty connect on a deeper level—and they’re going to need each other’s help to stay afloat on this trip.

Read the first chapter



Available at:
Evernight Publishing | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords | BookStrand | Kobo | Google Play | iBooks

Summer!

Summer is here in my part of the world! Finally. Summer is my second favorite season, after fall–only because I love the colors so much in fall. Although, spring is pretty too…

Let’s just say I like any season that ISN’T winter, shall we?

I probably like summer so much because we tend to have mild, temperate summers. It can get scorching hot, but only for a few days at a time here and there, usually not until late July and August. Other than that, it’s mostly in the 70’s and low 80’s, which to me is the perfect range of temperatures. Summer is great–it’s a time to open windows, when everything is green, and going outside doesn’t involve 15 minutes of putting on multiple layers like it does here in the winter. Maybe I just need to move somewhere it’s summer all year around. But then I’d miss fall.

Are we just going to talk about the weather all day?

I have a new book coming out Wednesday! I’m excited about it. You can check out the cover reveal I did last week to learn more about it. I have a book out on submission too, this one a paranormal romance–much as I like writing contemporary and will continue to do so, paranormal is my first love. I’m writing the sequel to it and also plotting another Man Catalog book. Between work and other stresses in my life, I’m afraid I might lose my mind this summer if I don’t have writing to keep me busy. So I’m trying to do just that!

How is the weather where you are? Got any plans for the new season, or any writing plans?

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