Megan Bushree interview

AUTHOR INTERVIEW

A little introduction:

I'm Megan Bushree and I live in Western Washington state with my husband, two children, and our terribly cute dog, Nandor.

When did your love of books begin?

For as long as I can remember, I've loved stories. My grandparents spent lots of time reading to me before I began school, which started my fascination. After reading Laura Ingalls Wilder's books, The Babysitters Club, Goosebumps, and Nancy Drew, I was hooked. Having multiple books in a series I could devour started my book addiction.

When did you start to have the wish to become an author?

I remember my second-grade teacher, Ms. Daniels, was instrumental in my desire to write stories. She was so kind and encouraged me to never stop writing. She would tell me about interviews with Beverly Cleary and Judy Blume that would be on PBS if I wanted to hear what it takes to be an author. Reading The Giver in 4th grade was the ultimate game changer. I needed to write after reading The Giver. I think Lois Lowry had a significant role in molding many of us elder millennials.

How have you found the process for becoming an author?

The process of becoming an author is filled with mistakes, disappointments, frustration, and a true test of motivation and patience. My first book was riddled with problems. The mistakes I made for an independently published book were necessary to improve as an author. I've queried agents and publishers for two of my books and received more than a hundred rejections. I've also signed with someone who didn't have my novel's best interest, and even though it was absolutely heartbreaking, I had to cut ties with them. In the end, I've found that self-publishing gives me the freedom to tell the stories in the way I want to tell them.

What would you say to those wanting to become an author?

I would tell anyone who wants to be an author to do it, but make sure you're doing it because you love to write, not because you want to be known as an author. Success is never guaranteed and there is so much work to be done. In fact, it has never been easier to be a published author, which is fantastic, except it means someone finding your book will be that much harder. As for those who want to go the traditional publishing route, I would say; don't let rejections get you down because sometimes it's not about a writer's abilities and more to do with what is marketable at the moment.

Tell us about your book/books:

Almost 21 Again is a YA novel that tells the story of Juliet Arden, a not-so-nice young woman who must relive her life from the first day of kindergarten until her 21st birthday repeatedly until she gets it right. She's not getting away with living only one day over because she needs a complete overhaul.

All That Remains is another YA about a mysterious desert town in Southern California, Manere, a place cut off from the rest of society. Angela is a high school graduate who plans on leaving her hometown for the first time but discovers why no one enters Manere and no one gets out alive.

Finally, I Think I Hate My Friends is a Women's Fiction novel about a group of women in their 30s who were close friends in college but have lost touch. Once they all end up living in the same place again, they question their dynamic and their entire history. When one of the friends is murdered, secrets are revealed, relationships shatter, and everyone's a suspect.

What do you love about the writing/reading community?

The writing and reading community is awesome because there is so much genuine kindness and appreciation for each other. I've been in many writing groups. One writing group scared me away for a while because the criticism was harsh and not helpful. Then I dipped my toes back in with another group and found that we are all just trying to write something we're proud of and sometimes we need to help each other do that. Reader's feedback is everything. If I don't receive feedback, even if is negative, I'll never develop into a better writer. It took me years to engage with writers and readers on Twitter, but once I did, I couldn't get enough. It's nice to share the good stuff and the disappointing stuff with people who understand.

If you could say anything to your readers what would it be?

Thank you for reading. There are endless options for entertainment, so someone taking the time to read something of mine means everything to me. The months I spent slumped over my computer, ignoring everything else around me, fighting my depression and anxiety to get a book finished, is worth it every time. Readers are everything.

Where can people connect with you?

People can connect with me through Twitter; @ScribemMegan. Instagram; meganbwritehere, or my website meganbushree.com