TBR: Welcome to TBR, Meg Mims. Will you share a little bit about yourself?
Meg: I’m an author and artist, which is why most of my heroines have artistic abilities. I love writing “blended” genres – historical mystery, or a western romantic suspense with inspirational elements, or contemporary romance with comedy and a twinge of a intrigue. I also write non-fiction articles for a realtor’s website and for Lake Effect Living which is a West Coast of Michigan tourist on-line magazine.
Meg: I’m an author and artist, which is why most of my heroines have artistic abilities. I love writing “blended” genres – historical mystery, or a western romantic suspense with inspirational elements, or contemporary romance with comedy and a twinge of a intrigue. I also write non-fiction articles for a realtor’s website and for Lake Effect Living which is a West Coast of Michigan tourist on-line magazine.
TBR: Tell us about The Key to Love and where it's available.
Meg: It’s a contemporary romance novella, available as an ebook at Astraea Press, Amazon, B&N. I’m hoping to write a sequel with the same characters, Jenn and Steve – we’ll see if these two “tie the knot” as they plan in Key.
Meg: It’s a contemporary romance novella, available as an ebook at Astraea Press, Amazon, B&N. I’m hoping to write a sequel with the same characters, Jenn and Steve – we’ll see if these two “tie the knot” as they plan in Key.
TBR: Please tantalize us with a story blurb or excerpt.
Meg: Here’s the back cover (ha, if you can imagine an ebook having a back cover!) blurb.
Meg: Here’s the back cover (ha, if you can imagine an ebook having a back cover!) blurb.
Artist Jennette Jacobson clashes with a handsome visitor at a gallery show. He claims that artwork is just “more junk to dust.” Ouch.
When she finds a small metal object on the floor, she uses it later in a new collage.
Her world soon crumbles with family problems and a friend’s betrayal. And wouldn’t you know that the same hunky guy claims he lost an important key the night of the show! When Steve Harmon offers to buy Jenn’s work, she refuses to sell. He’ll just trash it to free his precious key.
Or is it possible that key will unlock her future happiness?
Check out my website by clicking here for more about The Key to Love.
TBR: What inspired you to write about the theme?
Meg: I take an art class once a week, spring through fall, and decided to make a collage – with clocks. I was searching through my “junk” drawer for items to use, and came across a random piece of metal… which got me thinking, “What if?” And then, when Astraea Press asked for Valentine’s Day novellas, I thought, “Why not?”
Meg: I take an art class once a week, spring through fall, and decided to make a collage – with clocks. I was searching through my “junk” drawer for items to use, and came across a random piece of metal… which got me thinking, “What if?” And then, when Astraea Press asked for Valentine’s Day novellas, I thought, “Why not?”
TBR: Are you a plotter or pantser?
Meg: I’m typically a heavy plotter. However, given the deadline, I wrote The Key to Love totally by the seat of my pants. A scene here, two scene there, skipped back and added a stronger beginning, wrote other scenes near the end, went back to insert another key scene, finished it up, and then rewrote the whole thing at least twice. And still wanted to edit after my editor approved it! I’m such a perfectionist for tight writing. And I love putting vivid details in about food, clothing, etc.
Meg: I’m typically a heavy plotter. However, given the deadline, I wrote The Key to Love totally by the seat of my pants. A scene here, two scene there, skipped back and added a stronger beginning, wrote other scenes near the end, went back to insert another key scene, finished it up, and then rewrote the whole thing at least twice. And still wanted to edit after my editor approved it! I’m such a perfectionist for tight writing. And I love putting vivid details in about food, clothing, etc.
TBR: How do you develop your characters?
Meg: For a novel, I always develop a “chart” from birthday, family, education, home life, friends, both Western and Chinese zodiac signs, etc. Very intense! But for the novella, I didn’t have time. These characters are still surprising me.
Meg: For a novel, I always develop a “chart” from birthday, family, education, home life, friends, both Western and Chinese zodiac signs, etc. Very intense! But for the novella, I didn’t have time. These characters are still surprising me.
TBR: Do you have a favorite quote you’d like to share?
Meg: “Never let the odds keep you from doing what you know in your heart you were meant to do.” H. Jackson Brown Jr.
Meg: “Never let the odds keep you from doing what you know in your heart you were meant to do.” H. Jackson Brown Jr.
TBR: Did any music inspire your book? Do you have a playlist?
Meg: I tend to write to classical music, so not this time. But I do love soundtracks of my fave movies. Pride & Prejudice is a good one, and I will play all three of the Lord of the Rings too, when I need to ratchet up conflict.
Meg: I tend to write to classical music, so not this time. But I do love soundtracks of my fave movies. Pride & Prejudice is a good one, and I will play all three of the Lord of the Rings too, when I need to ratchet up conflict.
TBR: Tease us with one little thing about your fictional world that makes it different from others.
Meg: I am a strong believer in Vivid Imagery—the details that make a reader LIVE with the characters, make them see/hear/smell things right along with the characters, and taste/touch the food or fabric or the hair on the dog. LOL
Meg: I am a strong believer in Vivid Imagery—the details that make a reader LIVE with the characters, make them see/hear/smell things right along with the characters, and taste/touch the food or fabric or the hair on the dog. LOL
TBR: What's next for you?
Meg: Another romance novella or two, plus revisions to an inspirational and my mystery, plus I *must* finish the sequel to Double Crossing, which I’ll explain below. It’s book 2 of the “Double” series.
Meg: Another romance novella or two, plus revisions to an inspirational and my mystery, plus I *must* finish the sequel to Double Crossing, which I’ll explain below. It’s book 2 of the “Double” series.
TBR: Any other published works?
Meg: My western historical romantic suspense, Double Crossing, is what I call “True Grit on a Train” – with over 20 great reviews on Amazon and Goodreads. I took the premise of a young girl whose father was killed, but Lily Granville is sheltered, naïve and yet a fighter as she tracks the murderer on the transcontinental railroad.
Meg: My western historical romantic suspense, Double Crossing, is what I call “True Grit on a Train” – with over 20 great reviews on Amazon and Goodreads. I took the premise of a young girl whose father was killed, but Lily Granville is sheltered, naïve and yet a fighter as she tracks the murderer on the transcontinental railroad.
Book 2 is Double or Nothing.
TBR: What’s the most challenging aspect of writing? Most rewarding?
Meg: Getting the research details right, I think. I love reading historical but a major inaccuracy really throws me out of the story – I can overlook minor stuff, but I end up grinding my teeth at modern slang or the woman not wearing a corset. There were no bras, so you had to wear something unless you worked in the fields. And yes, some women laced up too tight for fashion, but not always.
Meg: Getting the research details right, I think. I love reading historical but a major inaccuracy really throws me out of the story – I can overlook minor stuff, but I end up grinding my teeth at modern slang or the woman not wearing a corset. There were no bras, so you had to wear something unless you worked in the fields. And yes, some women laced up too tight for fashion, but not always.
TBR: What’s the most interesting comment you have received about your books?
Meg: One elderly reader noted that I got the detail right about the commode on the train! She recalled seeing the tracks below, and how cold it felt… ahem. LOL
TBR: Who are some of your favorite authors and books? What are you reading now?
Meg: I read over all genres except erotica. I loved LaVyrle Spencer’s romances, J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter books, Tolkien’s LOTR and The Hobbit, Jonathan Maberry’s zombie horror, Ursula LeGuin’s sci/fi books and I am a long-time mystery reader – historical and contemp both. Charles Todd, Will Thomas, Cleo Coyle, Kate Ross, Kate Collins, Candace Robb and Ellis Peters… I keep a huge list on my website.
Meg: I read over all genres except erotica. I loved LaVyrle Spencer’s romances, J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter books, Tolkien’s LOTR and The Hobbit, Jonathan Maberry’s zombie horror, Ursula LeGuin’s sci/fi books and I am a long-time mystery reader – historical and contemp both. Charles Todd, Will Thomas, Cleo Coyle, Kate Ross, Kate Collins, Candace Robb and Ellis Peters… I keep a huge list on my website.
TBR: Where can readers find you on the web?
Meg: Twitter (@megmims), Facebook (Meg Mims plus my book fan pages), Pinterest, my website and blog – http://www.megmims.com
Meg: Twitter (@megmims), Facebook (Meg Mims plus my book fan pages), Pinterest, my website and blog – http://www.megmims.com
TBR: Is there anything you’d like to ask our readers?
Meg: What is your favorite genre to read, historical or contemporary, and why?
Meg: What is your favorite genre to read, historical or contemporary, and why?
TBR: Readers, Meg will give away a PDF of The Key to Love to one lucky commenter. She'll pick a winner on May 30 and announce the winner here. Be sure to leave your email address so she can contact you.
Thanks for visiting TBR, Meg. All the best to you.
Welcome to TBR, Meg!
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