What color are you?
Today I am black and purple. Which I realize makes me sound bruised. But no, those are just the colors I'm wearing! I think that usually I default to something in the blue family.

What number are you?
According to numerology, I am an 8. However, I just read the description of an 8, and I don't really think it suits me. Maybe I'm numberless? I never was any good at math...

Red or black licorice?
Red Twizzlers. I think black licorice is an abomination! I feel the same way about Red Vines.

Saturday or Sunday?
Saturday--the weekend is still yours! Sunday evenings are very melancholy.

Early riser or a night owl?
Both, sadly. I stayed up very late last night reading, and was still up before 8. I can't sleep in any more, and I miss it. In college, I could sleep the day away--I once missed a 4:30pm class because I couldn't wake up in time. I can't imagine that now.

Cats or dogs?
Both! Literally. I have 2 dogs and 3 cats.

How long have you been writing?
My whole life. Long before I knew that I could make a living at it, and long before it occurred to me that ANYONE made a living at anything--it was just what I did.

Looking back on your five years in England, what stands out the most?
The rain. Does that sound like a cliche? What can I tell you--England is very wet. It makes a lasting impression.

Who is your favorite author?
I couldn't possibly choose. At the moment I'm deeply obsessed with Richelle Mead's Vampire Academy books and Karen Marie Moning's Fae books. As in, it's painful to have to wait for the next installment. Physically painful.

What book are you currently reading?
I'm currently reading Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett. I read it once before, a very long time ago, and am re-reading it for my book club. It's a good thing I'm re-reading it, because a) I remember absolutely nothing about except that cathedrals are cool and b) because it is unbelievably riveting, all 1000 pages of it. In fact, I may repair to my bed to keep reading it...

What is your favorite bookstore?
I like comfortable bookstores with huge selections of all kinds of fiction, cozy places to sit and read, and a cafe. The Tattered Cover in Denver probably ranks as my favorite of all time.

If you could have dinner with anyone, who would it be?
All my closest friends, altogether. That would be fantastic!

Who/what inspires your writing?
Life. The world. My dreams. The people who make me laugh, hurt my feelings, challenge me, care for me. Everything and nothing.

What is your solution to writer's block?
I like to look at my bills. I find that very motivating. But seriously, writer's block is usually a sign that you're writing the book the wrong way. I usually hit a serious wall at about page 150, and have to stop and get my bearings. Sometimes it helps to clear the mind--I go for a drive, lose myself in a movie, read some books to see how other authors solve problems. Sometimes I just go back to the beginning of what I've written and go through it, looking for ways to make it better so I can move forward. Sometimes I have to throw everything out and start over. There's no one answer.

Describe a typical Megan day.
There really isn't a "typical" day, which is one reason I love my job! But generally, I start the day blogging and emailing and catching up with the world as I drink my tea. Then I work. Sometimes the work is more intense--such as when I'm in a deadline and have set myself daily word quotas to reach. If I have a quota, I work until I hit it. If I don't, I work until I feel I've hit a good stopping place. Alternatively, I might go and do errands, or see a friend--it all depends!

When and how do you write?
Last night I wrote until late at night. Sometimes I write all day. Sometimes I don't write at all, though there's a great deal of writing work that happens while I'm doing other things, or daydreaming. But I almost always write on my computer. Occasionally I write longhand, as I used to do all the time. These days that tends to be when I'm stuck.

What bit of advice do you give to new authors?
Try to finish what you start. And keep writing. Every word you write is a word you write better.

What is your favorite word?
According to the search function on my computer, "actually."

What is your next book?
My agent is going to shop my latest book around in the new year. It's a bit of a departure for me and I'm really excited about it-- a little more romantic than my books so far!

Catch up with Megan on her website and her blog.

I caught up with Liza recently to find out a bit more about her lifestyle and writing habits. Don't miss our contest where you can win both of Liza's books before the holidays.

What color are you?
Red

What number are you?
9

Are you an early riser or night owl?
Love the mornings, hate waking up.

Would you rather drive or fly?
Drive, drive, drive....PCH is as good as therapy and the 101 to San Francisco is like a weekend at the spa.

New York or Los Angeles?
LA - all the way.

Do you prefer sun or snow?
Well, that's why I love LA - you can get to both in under an hour (depending on traffic)

Night out or in?
Night in - a little Top Chef and a mug of Mighty Leaf Green Tea Tropical Tea sounds perfect.

Cats or dogs?
Dogs!

Milk or dark chocolate?
Milk - growing up, my sister liked Dark Chocolate and I liked Milk...it worked out rather well for us.

How long have you been writing?
Since before I knew it was writing...I just loved telling stories.

When do you write?
24 hours a day. Either I'm hatching new stories, thinking of the story I'm working on now or sitting in front of my computer actually getting it down on paper... This little 24 hour a day habit makes me quite the popular girl, I assure you.

How do you write (free form or with outlines)?
Free form...to my own detriment.

What is your favorite word?
Ladybug

Who is your favorite author?
John Steinbeck

What is your favorite book?
Where the Wild Things Are

What are you currently reading?
To Taste Temptation - Elizabeth Hoyt

What’s your favorite piece of advice for writers who want get published?
Do you want to tell A story or do you want to tell YOUR story?

Are there kids in your future?
Hopefully...

I cry when…
I get to thinking about how lucky I am.

I laugh when…
ever possible.

Be sure to register to win a copies of Liza's book in CONTESTS.

She is truly a Goddess who has many wonderful insights to share with us. Her first book, Beyond Intellect, is just out and available on Amazon. I caught with her over the new year for some MH 20 questions.

1. Are you Animal, Vegetable or Mineral?
Mineral 

2. What color are you?
Periwinkle Blue 

3. What number are you?
Seven 

4. East Coast or West Coast?
Bi-Coastal 

5. Espresso or Latte?
Latte 

6. White, milk or dark chocolate?
Definitely dark chocolate 

7. Sandals or Stilettos?
Sandals with heels. 

8. I cry when I am touched by others vulnerability and honesty  

9. I laugh when I am sparked, intrigued and pleasantly surprised  

10. What is your daily routine?
Two cups of really good coffee first thing in the morning 

11. When do you find that you write best?
Early mornings 

12. When did you know you were meant to write?
I have always written but used to destroy everything once it was on paper until I started writing personal development seminars in my mid-twenties. 

13. What has been the hardest thing about making it as a writer?
I really write to clarify life for myself, so the hardest thing is writing when I am fed-up, disillusioned or am stuck in: “What’s the use?” 

14. What has been the hardest thing about being a mom and grandmother?
Being Grandma is a cake-walk - but being the mother of adult children is like having your vital organs independently operating outside yourself - therefore no control over what heart hurts they will endure. 

15. What is your secret mom weapon? 
Magic covers is something I always did with the kids when they were scared, upset, overwhelmed, in the fetal position, for whatever reason. They would get in bed and I would put the covers around them, carefully covering the back of their head and putting the covers up over their ear and down under their chin. Once the covers are in place, they are safe and secure. Put your hand on their back and rock them. That's it!  

16. My favorite thing to do for myself is get a massage or have an ice cold martini in a great restaurant with a good friend 

17. My favorite thing to do with my family is catch up with them on the phone (my daughters are in New York, Milwaukee, Aliso Viejo, and New Zealand)  

18. What is your advice to moms who write?
Give the kids drawing paper and have them write (draw) (scribble) too. Three out of four of my daughters are natural writers. They believe it’s just a part of everyone’s life.  

19. What is your advice to moms who want to get published?
Take as much time as you need with your manuscript so that you are personally pleased with your end result. Whether you self-publish or traditionally publish, it is a roller-coaster ride requiring many decisions that only you can make.

20. What is your favorite word?
I have many but today I choose: Cherish.

Visit Susan's website, Beyond Intellect, to learn more and see some of the interesting artwork featured in the book. 

1.    Are you Animal, Vegetable or Mineral?
Okay, so here is where I over analyze. So, if I’m a Vegetable, then I’m good for you, and probably a bit overcooked. So, let’s forget that one. If I’m mineral, I’m probably hard and rough around the edges unless someone shined me up, which they didn’t. So, we’ll skip that one and just say I’m an animal.

2.    What color are you?
I want to be the blue-gray color of the sea at twilight. So calm, so peaceful. But I’m probably a vivid, loud blue.

3.    What number are you?
17. My son’s baseball number.

4.    Espresso or Latte?
Latte

5.    White, milk or dark chocolate?
Milk

6.    Beach dunes or skyscrapers?
Beach dunes. Didn’t even have to think about that one.

7.    Target or Bergdorf’s?
Depends how my book did last month.

8.    What is your daily routine?
Rise before the wild children to get my head together (which still doesn’t happen), wake them up, get them off to school with everything they need, every paper signed (an exhausting exercise in futility), drive them to their respective schools, come home, write. Now this is on a good day when someone isn’t throwing up, going to the orthodontist or has a ‘teacher conference’ (Code word for “let me tell you how you’re screwing up your kids”). I try and write before the day gets crazy. Morning hours are my favorite for creative endeavors.

9.    How do you find the time to write while raising kids?
I always say this, but I think it is more about making time than finding time. I have to commit the mornings to work or it just won’t get done.

10.  What do your kids think you do?
“Sit in the basement and type on the computer.”

11.  What is your secret mom weapon?
Sarcasm. I’d like to say it’s laughter, but it’s some combination of humor and sarcasm. When I dropped the “perfection” goal, everything became game for humor and laughter.

12.  What does your husband think you do?
Eat bon bons and talk on the phone.

13.  What is your secret wife weapon?
If you find one, let me know, I’d like one right about now.

14.  When do you find that you write best?
In the morning; when the story idea is fresh and waiting; when I’m at the beach.

15.  When did you know you were meant to write?
Probably twelve years old, but a reawakening occurred when I was thirty-three and I realized it just didn’t matter what anyone thought anymore. Not quite sure why I ever did think it mattered.

16.  What has been the hardest thing about making it as a writer?
The rewriting. I want it to be good from the very beginning, and it never is. That, and the neck pain from sitting scrunched over the computer trying to be brilliant.

17.  What is your favorite thing to write about?
Love; why it works, why it doesn’t, the ache of loving someone who doesn’t feel the same; the power of love and the redemption of the real kind.

18.  What is your advice to moms who write?
Don’t give up. Ever. You’re a better mom because you’re pursuing your heart’s desire.

19. What is your advice to Moms who want to stay sane?
Let the little stuff go. Major on the majors. Minor on the minors. They will remember you played Candy Land one more time much  more than they'll remember that they had an organized backpack. Or I hope that's true...

20. What is your favorite word?
Shimmering. Okay, I don’t really think it’s my favorite word, but I used it so many freaking times in my last novel that I had to do a word search to cut them ALL out.

Visit Patti's website to learn more about her connection with the beach and how she met her hubby. Don't miss the new book giveaway of Between the Tides.

What is not to love about Laura and her incredible career as the author of Animal Husbandry, Her, Dating Big Bird and her latest Piece of Work? She writes in a humorous and honest voice that gave us the Hugh Jackman in the movie Someone Like You. In between writing her books, Laura has bravely battled breast cancer. She has recently started writing about it for The Huffington Post and Health Central.

I wanted to find out how she views herself and how she does it: 

1. Are you Animal, Vegetable or Mineral?
You see, this is why I got such low scores on my SATs (and my GREs): because I over-think questions.  So I’m going to close my eyes and just say “animal.”

2. What color are you?
Black. Definitely black.

3. What number are you?
Ten.

4. East Coast or West Coast?
East Coast.  Hence the “black.”

5. Espresso or Latte?
Latte.

6. White, milk or dark chocolate?
Milk.

7. Target or Bergdorf’s?
Target.

8. I cry when my son is sad.

9. I laugh when my son dances through the supermarket.

10. What is your daily routine?
I get up, get my son ready for school, drop him off at school; drop my husband off at school (he teaches special ed at the high school I went to); then come home.  Depending on my mood, I either worry or write.

11. When do you find that you write best?
Either when I’m completely panicked about the mortgage (see above) or when I’m really fascinated by the subject I’m writing about.  Recently I’ve been writing about failure – non-fiction – and I’ve found it incredibly interesting (not surprising, since I’ve failed a lot).

12. When did you know you were meant to write?
When I realized I couldn’t really do anything else (see above).  Which was probably during high school. Sometime after I took my SATs (and got low scores) and before I graduated from college.

13. What has been the hardest thing about making it as a writer? 
Dealing with how incredibly subjective it is.  You show one person what you’ve written and they love it; then you show another and they don’t love it; and so on.  And before you know it you have no idea what you think anymore.  It’s very hard to know when to listen to criticism and when to trust your gut, which is sometimes right and sometimes very very wrong.

14. How do you juggle motherhood and writing?  
Very easily since I work at home.  

15. What is your secret mom weapon?
Chips.  Anything can be negotiated with chips as the bribe (my son doesn’t like sweets; he’s a savory-guy.)

16. My favorite thing to do for myself is sleep.

17. My favorite thing to do with my family is drive to the beach for the day and eat dinner at a clam shack.

18. What is your advice to moms who write?
Don’t get mad at yourself because you don’t write more.  The notion that “if you were a real writer, you’d write more” is dumb.  Just write when you can until you have time to write more.

19. What is your advice to moms who want to get published?
Embrace failure and rejection.  It’s a huge part of the process, unfortunately.

20. What is your favorite word?
“Maybe.”

Jane Porter, one of my favorite Mama Lit authors, has a new book, Odd Mom Out, debuting September 25th.  She lives in Seattle where she is a single mom to two boys. I thought it was time to get to know the silly and serious side of her as I tried to understand, 'How does she do it?'

1. Are you Animal, Vegetable or Mineral? 
Animal

2. What color are you?   
Red

3. What number are you?
17

4. East Coast or West Coast?     
West Coast

5. Espresso or Latte?      
Latte

6. White, milk or dark chocolate?
Milk Chocolate

7. Target or Bergdorf’s?             
Target

8. I cry when I watch television commercials.

9. I laugh when my boyfriend does funny voices for me like Johnny Bravo (from Cartoon Network).
 
And now for a dose of reality...

10. What is your daily routine?
Get up, check email, wake kids, get kids to school, more email, start writing, wrap up before kids get home.
 
11. When do you write best? 
When I’ve a deadline breathing down my neck.  I’m a terrible procrastinator as I’m afraid my writing will never be good enough (and heck, because writing’s hard work and I’d rather not work that hard that much...).
 
12. When did you know you were meant to write?
In second grade.  I wrote my first picture book (Laurie Johnson did the art work) in second grade and my first novel in fourth.  The picture book was a rip off of Wizard of Oz and the novel was a rip off of Little Women.  Now a days I try to make up my own stories.  Far less legal complications that way.  

13. What has been the hardest thing about making it as a writer? 
Finding people who like my voice and style.  I shoot straight from the hip but am also quite emotional.  I think I scare some women.  But then, I frequently scare myself.

14. How do you juggle motherhood and writing?
Very carefully.  They both make me crazy so I can’t beat myself up for doing either imperfectly.

15. What is your secret mom weapon? 
My sense of humor.  If I didn’t laugh I’d be crying all the time.  I make so many mistakes as a mom it’s not even funny (well, maybe a little bit funny).

16. My favorite thing to do for myself is get a massage but I don’t do it enough.  I also love getting a pedicure before I go on vacation.

17. My favorite thing to do with my family is travel, but if we have to be house bound I like watching movies with the boys or a tv show while we build a jigsaw puzzle.

18. What is your advice to moms who write?
Write as much as you can and be as true with your words as you can.  Don’t be afraid to be honest and don’t hold back.

19. What is your advice to moms who want to get published?  Don’t give up!

20. What is your favorite word?  Funky or fabulous...I clearly love fun ‘f’ words.

Is she fabulicious or what? Enter group therapy with Jane, like I did, and read Odd Mom Out today!