Meg Keneally and Fugue Writing State - Part 2
We loved talking recently to Meg Keneally in our weekly free Sunday Art of Writing TIME TO WRITE Zoom session. It was brilliant to catch up with Meg on her approach to character in her historical fiction novels. Check out Part 1 of our interview if you missed it!
I wouldn’t be a good journalist if I didn’t ask Meg about what it was like to have such an extraordinarily well-known writer father. Her response was just what I would have imagined from such a lovely lady.
Though Meg’s father is the famous Booker Prize winner, Thomas Keneally, Meg had to do all the hard yards, just like us. Even though her dad wrote, Schindler’s List and many other wonderful stories, her dad was not a free pass into publication. The fact that she has three unpublished novels under her desk was all part of her learning process.
‘Writing those novels and having one of them rejected in the early days of my writing career, was a good thing. I learned so much. Those unpublished novels taught me how to handle the knockbacks and the writing. I gave myself twenty-four hours after that rejection letter to think about whether I wanted to continue writing. Within a day I was back writing again because writing is a part of my soul.’
‘What happened then, with your writing career’ I asked Meg.
‘I wrote the Monserrat Mystery series with my father. And also wrote my first published novel and it became a best seller. I’ll never forget the joy of seeing someone pay money for that book. The incredible feeling that someone would actually buy my writing. That first time, it was wonderful.’
‘But having a writer dad must have helped you?’
‘Watching my father write and live from the proceeds gave me a template to work from. Writing as a chosen profession seemed possible because I saw him do it. I don’t know if you inherit a writing gene but certainly witnessing his work did have a big impact. Dad was always much more of a blessing than a curse. That’s for sure.’
Meg told the Art of Writing that she has always written. Even at eight years old she was scribbling away at something. She was that child who huddles away in a corner with a book. But life, rebellion, income, and a mortgage, as well as children derailed Meg’s writing career. Still, inside, she always adored writing.
Meg went on to say when she’s writing she constantly asks her characters three things.
‘This would be one of my biggest tips for your writers. During every step of the process ask yourself what your character loves, fears and wants?’
A huge thanks to Meg Keneally for her time and wisdom!
I will add now that the Time to Write sessions is accessible to everyone. Every Sunday night make time for yourself to write. We interview, then mute for an hour and write together. Access our special Zoom interviews with writers, editors, and agents by going to the Art of Writing Facebook page and registering for our next Zoom!
https://www.facebook.com/theartofwritingretreats/
Also, our Art of Writing blogs will now be once every two weeks, instead of weekly. Follow me on all social media (except Twitter) for Zoom invitations to our weekly Sunday Live Zoom.
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2023 Art of Writing Dates
Sunday, May 7th to Thursday, May 11th, 2023, Florence
Sunday, June 4th to Thursday, June 8th, 2023, Florence
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If you’d like to share any comments or thoughts, I’d be happy to hear from you. Email me directly at lisacliffordwriter@gmail.com.
