Q&A with Author MegynWard
I love a steamy, angsty, intense love story. I love when authors dig deep and bring all the feel, all the squeals, and all the reality of relationships to life. I love when they intertwine characters’ lives with their love stories and create intricate relationships that grow and flourish. And that’s just a few of the reasons I love Megyn Ward’s novels. The sense of immersion in the lives of people who become all too real in my head is incredible. She weaves tales that bring out every emotion. She creates characters I want in my life. I want to hug them, cheer them on, and—more often than not—smack them around a little bit, too. Because life and love are messy, and Megyn doesn’t shy away from putting that undercurrent of anxiety, (mis)communication, and angst to use to bring her characters their ultimate HEA.
Oh, but let’s not forget these are romance novels, and steamy ones at that. I will tell you right now, her stories are definitely NOT safe for work. They are likely to leave you reaching for a very cold glass of water, fanning yourself, and quite possibly reading in the freezer. And her audiobooks? Holy Wow! Absolutely stellar!
I will be honest and say I went into listening to Pushing Patrick, book one in her Gilroy Clan series, knowing basically nothing about the story except it had rave reviews and several of my friends were aghast I hadn’t read it yet. Let me tell you how I devoured that audiobook and jumped right into Claiming Cari without missing a beat. Not only did the main characters work their way into my heart very quickly, but the entire cast held me captive in the most beautiful way.
And when I met Megyn, I got it. She’s an introvert like me, with a strong sense of snark and sarcasm, also like me, and she is one of the most down-to-earth humans I have ever met. She’s also incredibly observant, and has a wicked penchant for finding the details and making them shine. The stories she tells—whether it’s as part of a panel, or sitting around a table snacking on nachos, or wandering down the beach—have depth and humor and a beautiful honesty that just pulls you in. That all translates into some of the deepest, most heart-wrenching, and stunningly emotional stories I have ever read.
So when you’re ready for that deep dive, that series that never lets go, those characters who will forever own your heart, grab onto Megyn’s backlist and sink into a solid series binge.
And whether you’re new to Megyn and her stories, or have devoured everything she’s written, this Q&A is fantastic way to get to know her better as an author and the spectacular human she is.
How did you get started writing?
It all started with a district wide writing contest when I was in the 2nd grade. The winners got to spend the day at the ASU, touring the library and meeting with their creative writing instructors.
I lost and I've been trying to prove myself ever since.
Where do you recommend a new reader start in your backlist?
It depends on which me you want to read. If you’re looking to read my contemporary romances, you should start with Pushing Patrick, book one in The Gilroy Clan and the Gilroy universe. If you’re looking for a thriller, start with Carved in Darkness, book one in my Sabrina Vaughn series. If you’re into romantic suspense, check out The Darkwater Girls, book one in my Georgia Fell series.
Do you have a favorite/most memorable scene/ part in a novel you've written?
I don’t have a favorite or memorable scene, but one of the things I love doing as a writer is revealing character traits and personalities through interactions and dialog so any scene where the reader is learning about a character through their interactions with others, is something I’ve paid special attention to.
Is there a part of your career as an author you thought was going to be difficult but has wound up being really wonderful?
I’ve never been good with public speaking or meeting new people, so author panels and signing events were something that I was sure I was going to fumble. Turns out, connecting with readers and talking about books is one of my favorite things to do.
Are there specific themes, tropes, or subgenres you’re more drawn to as an author, reader, or listener?
No matter the genre, I tend to be drawn to second chances, found family, and imperfect characters.
What is your favorite part about being an author?
Making my readers feel. That's my goal with every word I write. I want my readers to feel and experience everything my characters are feeling and going through. If I manage that, I’m a happy author.
What do you like to read/listen to? Any favorite authors you want to send a shout-out to?
I have a spotify playlist that is six days long and covers everything from Eminem to Fleetwood Mac. One of my least favorite things about being an author is being that I’m too busy writing my own stories to read for pleasure.
Is there someone(s) who’s been influential in your life as it relates to your career?
I had a writing instructor in college who was the second person who ever told me that I had talent as a writer. He became my mentor and my biggest advocate. He helped me get an agent and got a little weepy when I was picked up by my first publisher. He died in 2023 and I miss him every day.
How have your life experiences influenced your career as an author?
When I was in the 7th grade, I wrote a short story that landed me in weekly therapy sessions with the school psychologist (shout out to Mrs. O’Brien!). After that, I was deathly afraid to let anyone read anything that I wrote because the fear of judgment was just too much. From then on, I wrote in secret and would literally have a panic attack if anyone tried to get me to let them read my work. When I was in my twenties, I wrote a personal family history for one of my college classes. Since it wasn’t fiction, I figured it was safe. The instructor called me and asked me to meet her in her office before class. All my old fears came roaring back. I was sure I was going to be committed. When I walked into her office, she held up my paper and said, “Have you ever considered a career as a writer?”
I told her no.
She handed me my paper and said, “You really should.”
This or That: 7 random questions that may or may not be book related:
Kindle or Paperback- Paperback
Beach or Mountain Vacation- Mountains
Dogs or Cats- Dogs
Ice Cream or Cake- Ice cream
Action Flick or Rom-Com- Action flick
Tea or Coffee- coffee
Road Trip or Air Travel- Road trip
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