When did you start writing and what inspired you to start?
I have always loved books and writing stories. From the time I was able to, I would write down the tales that were in my head. I loved writing classes and took as many as I could in school. As an English teacher, I included books and writing in everything the classes did. I also worked as a freelance writer for over a decade. Moving into publishing and writing books was just the next natural step.
How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?
I have published five books, but I have also “written” a few others that I hope will see the light of day as published books in the next few years. Picking a favorite would be like choosing a favorite child. I love each of them for different reasons, but I love them all and am proud they are out in the world. “At the Corner of Magnetic and Main” is the most recent, so it tends to get the most love and attention these days.
“Sell” your latest book in 120 characters – Tweet style
A good dish of ice cream solves more than this life’s problems, but is there a flavor out there magical enough to help Penny into The Light? #magneticandmain
The current trend in publishing is toward series novels as opposed to stand-alone books. Is your most recent release part of a series? If so, where do you see the story going (ie how many books in the series)? If not, do you have a series you’ve written or plan to write, and if so, what is it?
“At the Corner of Magnetic and Main” is not part of a series. Penny’s story is done for me, though adventures still lie ahead for her. My Cats in the Mirror series is going strong with three books and a companion dog book available, and there are still at least three books to publish in that line. Book 4 comes out in the spring. I also have another middle-grade book I am working on now that may well develop into a series.
When your latest title is adapted to film, and the producers ask for your dream cast, what will you say?
My husband loves to play that game, but I try to avoid putting a face into the reader’s mind. I’d rather have them imagine Penny however they choose. But I will admit that I had a young Ian Somerhalder in mind when I wrote about Jake. When I have my Facebook party to celebrate the end of the blog tour in December, that is one of the games we will play. It will be interesting to see who readers would cast. My husband thinks Jennifer Lawrence should play Penny, but I totally disagree. Things like that are why I hate to define it too much. He can imagine Penny however he wants.
Is there a message in your book that you want readers to grasp?
The core of Penny’s story for me is about being stuck and holding on to a false sense of responsibility for everyone and everything around you. For her, it is as a ghost and it is part of what is holding her here, but it is just as easy to get stuck in the living world. I’ve been there many times. Several reviewers have totally gotten it, and that makes me very happy.
Do you have a new book coming out soon?
“The next book coming out will be a kid’s book about actor and philanthropist Betty White. It will be with Pen-L Publishing, so that final package is up to them, but it will be along the lines of what you would find in a school library. Lots of facts and photos and fun information that you might not know about her. We don’t have a set date for release yet, but it will be this winter.
“”Slinky Steps Out,”” Book 4 in the Cats in the Mirror series, will be out in April of 2016. I self-publish that series.”
Who are some of the authors you particularly admire or who’ve had some influence on your own writing?
It’s hard to limit that to just a few authors because I read a lot and always have. My bookshelf is covered with books by Anne McCaffrey, but I also read lots of middle-grade books and ones that were of that style from when I was young–Beverly Cleary, E.B. White, the Little House books, and the whole Oz series. I think part of finding your own voice as a writer is melding all of that and making it unique to you.
List your favorite quotation or words you live by.
One I often use when asked is:
“A woman in harmony with her spirit is like a river flowing.
She goes where she will without pretense and arrives at her destination prepared to be herself and only herself. ” Maya Angelou
I think that’s the best I can do to stay happy and sane in this world.
Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?
I’m always thrilled when someone enjoys my books, and even more so when the story touches on something that moves them. I guess I would just say “thank you!” Thanks for reading and appreciating and getting it.
You can purchase At the Corner of Magnetic and Main and the Cats in the Mirror series through our bookstore and connect with Meg on social media and read her biography on her author page.
Interview With Meg Welch Dendler