Author Spotlight: Megan Curd (Complete with Interview)

Greetings, Beardies!

A few weeks ago, I was having a movie night at home with my friend Anna, and the conversation (as it inevitably does when the two of us are together) turned to books.  Anna is the proprietress of Diamonds and Coal Book Reviews, and she had recently accepted an invitation to host Megan Curd and her novel, Steel Lily, on her blog.  Eager to get in on the action, I asked Anna to forward me the invitation, and Megan graciously accepted us as a last-minute addition to her blog tour.  Yesterday, we brought you the review; today, please enjoy Megan's Author Spotlight.  

Follow Megan:

Bio:

Megan Curd is a graduate of Northwestern College in St. Paul, Minnesota. While having always enjoyed reading any books she could get her hands on, Megan didn’t begin writing until a friend encouraged her to do so while in college.

When not writing, Megan enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She loves to snowboard and travel to new places, and doesn’t turn down the opportunity to play xBox with her brother and friends when it presents itself.

Megan currently resides in Stanton, Kentucky with her husband, son, and Great Dane named Dozer.

Interview:
Elizabeth Norton: Which book introduced you to speculative fiction?

Megan Curd: I read all kinds growing up, from Animorphs to Goosebumps, but the first book that really stuck with me—and still does—is On A Pale Horse by Piers Anthony. My senior year in high school, my lit teacher had us read it, and I totally judged it by its cover to be awful (what can I say, I’m a cover whore at heart. I won’t lie about it!). I was BLOWN AWAY by the book. I still love that book. It’ll probably always be one of my favorites.

Elizabeth Norton: Do you have an all-time favorite book? What about it makes it your favorite? 

Megan Curd: I will always adore the Harry Potter series. That may sound cliché, but truly, I remember waiting in line for the last few, and waiting each summer for the next to release. Those books were a huge staple in my childhood and growing up, and I loved them. J.K. Rowling is an unbelievably talented writer.

Elizabeth Norton: Which author and/or book (if any) inspired you to start writing? 

Megan Curd: I love J.K. Rowling. Her world building and the way she makes you love or love to hate her characters is second to none. Another author I really enjoy and look up to is Cassandra Clare, because her attention to detail is breathtaking. Finally, Dan Brown is the master at making you have to read the next chapter. I love and hate that about him, because he’ll keep me up with a book until 2 or 3 in the morning!

Elizabeth Norton: I think Ms. Rowling, and Harry Potter, inspired a lot of us—myself included.  From where did the inspiration for Steel Lily arise?
Megan Curd: It happened over Christmas of 2011. I started wondering what the world would be like if we didn’t take care of it, and if a third world war were to happen. I like to play the what if game a lot in everyday life, and this was a blast to just imagine a world where things had gone down the drain. I know, it sounds super fun, doesn’t it? I swear the book isn’t completely depressing, ha! :)

Elizabeth Norton: Megan, the only thing depressing about Steel Lily is that it ends, rather than just going on forever!  From where did the inspiration for The Bridger Series arise? Was there specific mythology or folklore that sparked it? 

Megan Curd: I loved the Irish folklore I read about prior to coming up with The Bridger Series, and I really enjoyed digging deeper into that world. Even now I love to read about Ireland. Someday I’ll go and visit!

Elizabeth Norton: Do you have a favorite character (to write) from either of your series? If so, what sets them apart from the others? 

Megan Curd: I absolutely love writing Jaxon. He’s such a complex character. I also love writing Riggs. You learn so much about both of them in Steel Lily, but both of their times to shine are still to come. I have a lot planned for the two of them. :)

Elizabeth Norton: I'm excited to see what you have planned for Jaxon and Avery—they quickly took up residence near the top of my list of favorite literary couples!  Are you currently working on any other projects? 

Megan Curd: I’m actually writing the sequel to Steel Lily, which is titled Iron Pendulum. Barring any hiccups, I’m hoping to have Iron Pendulum out by Christmas. Keep your fingers crossed!

Elizabeth Norton: What is your favorite Civil Wars song? 

Megan Curd: That’s a toughie! Hmm, can I have two? Let’s go with Twenty Years and The One That Got Away. However, Birds of a Feather is SO Jaxon & Avery. I love that song for them. :)

Elizabeth Norton: I'm not sure of the topic or in what capacity, but would you consider writing a guest post on The Bearded Scribe at some point? 

Megan Curd: Sure! Just let me know when you’d like to have me. I’d be honored!

Elizabeth Norton: And lastly, because we have asked this of all of our interviewees... Is there anything else that you would like to share with The Bearded Scribe's readers that I did not ask you (and you wished I had)? 

Megan Curd: Not at all! But THANK YOU for having me on your blog today. I’m honored to have been a part of it! :) 

The honor was all mine, Megan!  Thank YOU so much for stopping by and taking time to chat with us!

Keep Calm and Scribe On,