Ask the Author: Megan Chance
Answered Questions (5)
Megan Chance
From my side, about 18 months, depending on the book. Six months to research the book, and then about a year to write it. At that point it goes to my agent and editor, and the book is usually in production (editorial, cover design, etc.) for about another year before it hits the shelves. So all told, it's about 2 1/2 to 3 years for a book to reach publication from beginning to end. Thanks for the question!
Megan Chance
Hi Haylee! Thank you very much, I'm so glad you enjoy them!
Megan Chance
It is very very easy to get discouraged in this business, given how 1) personal it feels and 2) how subjective it is. But those are also the two things you ALWAYS have going for you. Not everyone will like a book--that's just the way it is, but it helps to remember that it only takes one editor or one agent to love your book and get it on the shelves. Only ONE. Also, it may help to remember that your voice is unique. If you give 20 people the same idea, not a one of them will write it the same way. You need to stop thinking of the big numbers and start thinking of the small ones--You, and you alone, know what you have to say to the world, and you are the ONLY one who can say it. What happens to the 96% doesn't matter. Think of the 4% who do make it. There's no reason you can't be one of them. The deal is this: this is a hard business, and it may mean that you have to write several manuscripts before one sells. You'll get better each time; you'll develop as a writer. It's all part of the process. It took me six manuscripts--it was the seventh that sold. I know others who sold their first one, but that's rare. For the most part, those who succeed are those who persevere. You are your only competition--if you write the book that you want to read, there's a good chance others will too. You don't have to come up with a fresh idea, you only have to come up with YOUR idea. As John Jakes said, originality doesn't consist of saying something new, it consists of saying what you have to say. Hope this helps, and good luck!
Megan Chance
If I waiting for inspiration, I would never get anything done. Some days I'm inspired, and other days I'm not, and I promise you that no one can tell the difference in the writing. You make your own inspiration by sitting down and doing it. It's this simple: I write at least 6 days a week. I don't stop until I have five pages. Some days, that's all I get. But I learned a long time ago that I never hit "flow" or "inspiration" until I hit page five. If I can get five pages, I can get ten. But I'll never hit that flow until I get through the hell of those five--and there are days when it feels like that is impossible. That's how I get inspired to write. I write.
Megan Chance
Spending my days being lost in a story. There are a lot of fun things about being a writer, but for me, the actual writing--the process--is what I love best
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more