Interview with Megan Cashman

Published 2013-08-23.
Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?
I was born and raised on Staten Island, New York, and the only way I could really say about how it influenced my writing was the location of my stories. I know Staten Island is largely unknown to many, despite being the fifth borough of New York City, so I decided to make it the setting of most of my story ideas to let people know that it exists. So far, I have Staten Island as the main location of my first book. Someday, I'll add other books to that list if I think it is necessary.
When did you first start writing?
I've been writing since I was very young. I used to dictate children's stories to my parents because I couldn't write full sentences yet. I began to be serious about being a published as I got older, especially in my twenties. It was just something that always in me and I knew I would someday write a book.
What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
The joy of writing for me is that I get an adrenaline rush when I know I'm writing something good. Either the scene is poignant, emotional, or a huge turning point, I get so excited that I feel energy run through me. It is also great when my readers have a similar experience.
Who are your favorite authors?
Anne Rice is one of my favorites because she writes history and paranormal, and something both together. Khaled Hosseini is a favorite of mine now, and I hope I can write as well as he does.
How do you discover the ebooks you read?
Sometimes I rely on what friends are reading, what is being reviewed on blogs I follow. But sometimes I do my own search. If by chance I want to read something short,a specific theme or anything, I search around for a book that matches what I'd like to read.
What do you read for pleasure?
I switch between fiction and nonfiction. I read a fiction book, and then nonfiction. This way I keep myself both entertained and informed.
What is your e-reading device of choice?
My iPhone. I don't have a tablet yet and I still have a few print books to read, so if I want to read an eBook, an app on my iPhone.
Do you remember the first story you ever wrote?
I remember as a kid I used to write stories about kids in elementary school and their adventures. In junior high, I wrote about a girl who discovers she's really adopted from another planet. In high school, I began stories but didn't finish them. Luckily, I saved most of them and I hope to go back to them someday.
What is your writing process?
I usually write better when I'm in public, although I'm getting better at writing at home. There's something about being in a coffee shop that makes me focus more.

I start off by reading over the last few pages and doing some editing. I know many authors say this is not a good idea, but for me, it is a good warm-up before I start writing the newer scenes. Once I am ready to go, I start writing away. On good days, I don't stop until my back or butt hurts!
Do you remember the first story you ever read, and the impact it had on you?
It probably was one of those school-aged books, like The Baby Sitters Club. Looking back now, I was amazed by how real those fictitious characters were. A friend of mine and I would talk about them like they were girls we went to school with - and these girls only existed in books! I guess the impact was how real an author can make a character.
How do you approach cover design?
For The Dark Proposal, I had an idea in mind and I was so excited when I found the stock photo that was basically what I wanted. For its sequel, I've been browsing through stock photos to find a good enough image. This is because the sequel has the same main character, and I need to find a model who looks similar to the first one, so I have to be careful here. The third book will be much easier, this I know!
What's the story behind your latest book?
It began when I was watching the fourth season of True Blood. I was imagining what it would be like if a sexy vampire came into my life, until I realized there is nothing sexy about a callous bloodsucker. From there, I wondered what would happen if a vampire wouldn't take no for an answer if he wanted you to be his.

I also had wondered how vampires would survive these days with all the modern surveillance and technology. I decided to combine the two stories to make The End of Eternity trilogy.
What are you working on next?
I'm writing the sequel to The Dark Proposal, which follows what has happened to Claire McCormick. It's working title now is Blood Ties, but it may just be the published title.
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Books by This Author

The Dark Proposal
Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 79,050. Language: English. Published: January 19, 2013 . Categories: Fiction » Fantasy » Paranormal
A young woman copes with being forced to become a vampire as the man she loves reveals he is more evil than she can comprehend.