It's so fun to have you here. :)

I think the themes of your books have been dark, but they are also incredibly optimistic. I know I've told you that before, but it's what grabs me most of all. Well, that and loads of really sexy sex. ;)

As a reader and TV audience, I think I probably seek the kinds of things I don't write, very funny or somewhat dark/dramatic. I don't like very explicit violence, but I like psychological or emotional explorations, stories that take me to deep places with the characters. I'm willing to go into dark places with them, as long as that's not all there is -- so, your books do that, so do shows like Buffy or The Closer. I guess there has to be a reason and something compelling and relatable about the dark themes for me for them to work. And I want that undercurrent of optimism, you know? It won't be dark forever.

As a writer, I don't think I go to many dark places at all...well, if Margaret reads this, she may disagree with me because of Fascination, but in general I think I keep things emotional but fairly light. I've been working on a paranormal proposal for what seems like forever, and I feel like I simply can't force myself to go too dark. I sort of wish I could, but my imagination doesn't take me that way.

Sam

Welcome to Cigars!

And it's too funny because my books don't reflect my in-person person as much, or at least not who I was when I started writing them (okay, that makes NO sense!). When I first started selling romantic comedies, I was SO not funny in person. My own husband doesn't laugh at my jokes ;-). My kids think I'm pitifully unfunny. I can be funny when I do a speech, but I had to cultivate that and learn to be funny. On paper, I'm a different person than in real life, I think.

And I LOVE the cover of Tempted :-)

BTW -- I keep a light-up pen (they sell them at Bed, Bath & Beyond) that you click and a light comes on at the tip, and a pad at my bedside. I write a lot in the middle of the night!

HTH,

Shirley

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author
Available Now: REALLY SOMETHING, Zebra Books
She's looking for revenge...he's looking for answers. Getting even has never been so much fun!
www.shirleyjump.com or read “Eating my Words”

I remember a long time ago, a really nice editor said she loved my voice but that I would have to pick between comedy and dark toned drama. That there just wasn't room for both in a single line. (This was about ten years ago now, so there weren't any nice places like Nocturne to submit my dark humor) I'm a firm believer that it's better to laugh through the bad times than whine and cry and that definitely shows in my books. I do try to tone the humor down a little in the dramas. But I definitely wouldn't hold my breath that it's gone. :)

Dee

I write the way I am. I live my life making asides, and I write my characters that way, too.

Megan, I love your cover. My husband loves your cover. Come payday (the holidays hit hard, lol) I'm ordering so many books and Tempted is at the top of the list.

Jeannie

great tune to write by ;-)

Hmmm... My writing really does reflect who I am. I love humor, am a total smart ass and have a thing for hot hunks. Thats all there LOL.

Welcome to the Cigars, Megan!

I read all sorts of stuff, I guess it broadens my horizons nice to talk with you

Makes my brain want to be doing something other than sitting at my computer, LOL!!

I've always wanted green and purple hair. But not necessarily at the same time! :-D

I've been admiring your covers, especially the one for Tempted!

I think mostly I read other than what my life is--it's a great escape! I'm not too sure I'd enjoy reading about nagging, laundry, dishes, homework struggles, diapers, and trying to figure out what to make for dinner! Actually, I'm sure there are very entertaining books about all those things out there, but at the moment, I like to think of books as a sort of Calgon, without the bubbles and the bathtub ;)

*going to check out The Road Taken...*

I read almost all genres.
Welcome Megan!

I started singing the backup lyrics when I read your title. :-)

MEGAN! I haven't chatted with you in ages. I was thinking about you the other day when I saw your post card for Dirty. Love the pic on your site. Although, I don't think it shows off the blue-ness of your hair. Is your hair purple in the Vlog?

Oh, I guess I should comment on the blog you posted here. I'm always much wittier in my head. I'm only funny about once a month.

I always wondered how a person's bookshelf reflects their personality. My shelves have mostly mysteries, ghost stories and a smattering of smut. My main argument for going outside my genres is good writing. If it is well written, almost any book is readable.

Megan, welcome to Cigars!! So thrilled to have you here...I'm looking forward to reading your books! Great cover, BTW!

I promise not to call you Meg. I'm still trying to picture you with blue and purple hair. Individual and different. I think I like you already and I'm definitely looking forward to blogging with you.

I read your book Dirty. For the first 3 chapters, I didn't think that I would like the story but, as I read on, I got hooked. I couldn't put the book down. I actually lost sleep because, I couldn't wait to see what would happen in the next chapter. I fell a little in love with Dan. You did a great job of handling issues that most authors are afraid to write about. I will definitely be reading more of your books.

Since I read anything that I can get my hands on, I don't think that my reading reflects the person that I am. I just love to read. As for my writing, I think that it depends on what I'm writing. On blogs and such, I am definitely myself but, when I'm writing stories, it's total fiction.

I'm so glad you are blogging with us, and I look forward to getting to know you. Mads:)

I know I am late, but I want to say hello to you