Aphrodisia Authors :: Blog » Megan Kerans

Screwed

Megan Kerans — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 18:51:00 +0000

As this is a blog by erotic romance writers, “screwed” might not be a bad and in some cases it most definitely is not. But, this isn’t one of them.

No, I’m talking about “screwed” as in getting a bad break. My latest one was quite literal. I fractured my hip, not something that should happen at my age, but I like to be unique and defy the odds. This resulted in getting “screwed”, three screws holding the bone together to be exact.

In writing and life there are times when events do not go our way and we end up in positions we never planned or wanted to be in. While not fun, and this is something I would recommend NOT trying, it’s getting “screwed” when we learn the most about our abilities and ourselves.

What I’ve learned is:

**Not to take little things, like the ability to carry a plate from your kitchen counter to the table, for granted.

**When you want something bad enough, you’ll find a way to achieve your goal.

**Necessity is the mother of creativity. If I can come up with plots, I can invent a way to get laundry to the machine and a dozen other chores.

**Most of us are a lot stronger than we think. It only in times of need does the strength show itself.

**Be thankful & kind to your friends and family, first because they are your friends, and because you never know when you will need help & support.

**Attitude is everything. No matter how bad the situation is you can choose to wallow or make the best of it and learn everything you can.

**Slow down. I’m guilty of rushing and a having a brain that moves at the speed of light, but when your body takes what feels like 5 times as long to accomplish normal tasks, you don’t have choice but to slow down and take it one thing at a time.

**Never lose your sense of humor. Nothing is so awful if you can poke fun at it and yourself.

What lessons have you learned that were tough at the time, but turned out to be invaluable?

Megan

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Amusing the Muse

Megan Kerans — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 15:48:00 +0000

The Muse has a tough job inspiring writers. She can’t just come up with any old idea; she has to give us one that makes us run straight to our keyboards and want to stay there so we can tap out the best story that makes readers wants to keep reading.

If writers are inspired by “Muses,” where do Muses get their inspiration?

Well, if it’s my Muse you were asking she’d reply in large part Disney. This is especially true since I treated her to a week long vacation in Walt Disney World. For my Muse there’s no better place and nowhere else that thinks like she does.

Talking mice, why not? Happily ever after, of course! Travel from Italy to Japan in under five minutes, no problem! Disney is a place that thinks like a Muse, asking What if……….

What if……we dropped an elevator 13 stories?

What if…….a giant Yeti really does live in the mountains?

My Muse works hard trying to develop story worlds & characters that pull readers into a detailed place that’s real. So, she appreciates getting to visit a place that works as hard, or even harder than she does creating a story world down to finite details (try changes in paving to signifiy progression from east to west of the Mississippi River.)

For writer’s What inspires you?

And as a reader what are the little details that make a story real for you?

Pointed Research

Megan Kerans — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 14:21:00 +0000

Upfront I’ll confess, My name is Megan Kerans and I’m a research nerd. I love discovering new knowledge almost as much as figuring out how to use the information to make my stories better and more realistic.

Almost all authors I know usually do research for their stories. For contemporary writers it might be a city or career field. Those who pen historicals might look up the dress of a specific time period or how a knight’s armor was created.

I love it all. Give me a stack of books on an interesting subject and I’m as happy as a clam reading away. But there are some things, no matter how much you read, you simply have to do to understand. One of those is swordplay. Errol Flynn & Basil Rathbone’s famous duel in Captain Blood.

Growing up watching Errol Flynn’s Adventures of Robin Hood, Star Wars, and having ancestors who were actual Musketeers I’ve always had a fascination with fencing. So much so, I took a class in college. I didn’t have a very good teacher (really poor to be honest), but I did love it.

Ten years later I found myself a writer who had more and more sword scenes in her stories. They’re always great fun to watch, but the problem was, how to take something so inherently visual and put it into words to create a picture that excited a reader.

It’s tough. Over six months I read books on the subject, searched the Internet, and repeatedly mentioned I wanted to take up fencing again. I, of major back problems, wasn’t certain I could do it with my lengthy, lengthy list sports I had to give up or only consider ever doing if I became a masochist.

Over Memorial Weekend, on a whim, I decided to check our local school district’s summer adult education courses. For the first I can remember fencing was listed, an eight week class. I jumped up from the computer, grabbed my Visa and signed up. (Strictly to improve my understanding of the movements for writing. At least, that’s what I told my husband.)

Early 20th century French postcard.

Six months, dozen of hours of practice and three swords later, fencing has become I love of mine for itself. What other sport contains elegant violence that requires as much brains and physical skill?

Fencing also just happens to come with multiple benefits Not only do I great workout (muscles you never knew you had,) I’m able to write fight scenes much clearer and quicker. It’s also led me to new avenues of research, such as duels of honor, which even inspired me to put together a workshop on the topic and how writers can use craft techniques & elements to improve the edged weapon scenes in their stories.

So my question is:

Authors, what is the most bizarre or unique subject you’ve ever researched for a story?

Readers, is there a topic you’ve ever been sparked to investigate after reading a book and what was it?

Bone To Pick

Megan Kerans — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 23:08:00 +0000

It’s hard to find the perfect pair of boots, impossible to get a pair of jeans that fit perfectly, but today none of those compared to the task of finding the perfect skeleton. I should probably explain that I live in South Texas where many people celebrate the Mexican Dia De Los Muertos, or Day of the Dead.

Though the name sounds like a bad fifties horror film, the holiday is really a happy one and return of loved ones who have passed on. On November 1st and 2nd families setup alters in their homes or at loved ones’ graves. They set out pictures of the deceased and leave them offerings of flowers, candies, tequila, candles, and blankets & pillows for the spirits to rest after their long journey.

Along with all the other offerings and decorations, painted skulls or skeleton figures adorn alters.

Unlike Halloween these boney ladies and gentlemen are friendly and often times comical. Having wanted one of the statues for a long time, today I made a trip down to The Mercado in Market Square.

Some of figurines were decked in traditional garb, others were done as religious idols right down to carrying a rosary, a few had been dressed as brides, and many idols done in Edwardian gowns.

Each one was unique and had details I liked. Even my non-shopping DH (darling husband) got caught up with comparing & contrasting the macabre sculptures. Finally, I decided one that seemed a cross between the dark beauty of Tim Burton design and the dark comedy of artist Edward Gorey.

And with such inspiration now sitting in my office you can bet the holiday and symbols will soon work their way into a story. No bones about it!

Megan Kerans

Straight Up or With a Twist?

Megan Kerans — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 22:02:00 +0000

Recently a fellow author friend was researching a publisher and asked if I’d flip through a few books to help her get an idea of the level of sensuality and word style before she submitted. As a writer I’m always curious about what other writers are doing and ideas to improve my craft, so I agreed.

Several stories used the frank terms I’m accustomed to reading in erotic romance. A few other tales had a slightly more colorful, say we say purple, style of description.

I will admit one line about “her acquiescing thighs” has certainly remained in my memory.

But, my point isn’t to knock any author’s work or writing style, but made me wonder at such a dramatic differences in one house and what readers think.

Which do you find sexier straight language/”dirty talk” or rich, sensual descriptions or a combination?