The Author Interview featuring Megan O’Keeffe

Welcome to the Author Interview. This time, it features the lovely Megan O’Keeffe, author of Cracked Open.

If you’re an author who’d like to take part in the series, email me: debbie@myrandommusings.co.uk

Now over to Megan.

1 Firstly, tell us a little bit about yourself

I’ve been writing poetry for the last decade and published my first collection, Cracked Open, in 2018. I started my blog Debatably Dateable back in 2016 about poetry and dating. When I’m not writing, I’m in class or binging Brooklyn 99 or walking my dog, Maverick.

2 Tell us a little bit about your books

My first book focused on a journey of love lost then found. Not all poems are happy, as not all of love is. I hope each reader can find comfort and strength to continue on their own journey of love.

Where I Ache focuses on various aspects of mental health such as depression and self esteem. Mental health can be such a delicate topic and often gets avoided because of that. I knew I wanted to publish this collection so that the readers could be their own little community of support and unity.

3 Where do you find your inspiration for your books?

The first six years of my writing were heavily influenced by love and now some more influences like nature, mental health, and grief are also present. Some of the inspiration comes from personal experience and experiences from those close to me.

Other poems are about world news, film and book characters, and pop culture. I wish my readers were more aware that not every poem I write is directly about me.

4 What, for you, is the best thing about being a writer?

The best is probably when you’ve created something better than you ever thought you could. A few poems really wow me with some impressive lines of creativity. It’s also so special when a reader connects with a poem and you’ve helped them articulate exactly what they’ve been feeling inside.

5 And the worst?

The worst is probably just all the work that goes into promoting your work and also hearing negative reviews.

6 If you could have any super power, what would it be and why?

I would want to be able to teleport because traffic is terrible and maybe I would travel out of the country more if it didn’t take 6-9 hours.

7 Do you have any tips for anyone wanting to write their first book?

My first piece of advice would be to go for it! Have faith in yourself to go out of your comfort zone and publish your first book.

Ironically my second piece of advice would be to have patience. Take your time in your writing process and take even more time in the editing stage.

Good Luck!

8 Tell us one random fact about you

A random fact is that I’m working on learning sign language with my boyfriend this year!

9 Who is your favourite author?

I’ve read a bunch of J R Ward, Jill Shalvis, and Nalini Singh. All romance, some fantasy, it’s an addiction.

10 What book are you reading right now?

Right now I’m reading The Rules Do Not Apply by Ariel Levy

11 Where is your favourite place to write?

I usually write on my laptop in bed at night but I tend to think of some of my best poem lines while driving and try to remember them to write down once I’ve parked.

12 Do you prefer to write in silence or do you have a writing soundtrack?

Sometimes to get into the writing mood I’ll listen to spoken poetry or put on music but once I get going I can’t even hear the words anymore and it’s sometimes easier to think in the quiet.

13 What can we expect from you next?

Obviously, I’ll be marketing Where I Ache for the rest of the year. But I’ve also been organizing my next collection that I hope to publish in 2020 but one thing at a time haha.

14 Where can we find you? (Links to your Amazon page and social media)

My blog, Instagram, Twitter, Amazon and Goodreads.