When we put out our call for submission for Wings of Renewal, I was really hoping we’d get not only stories featuring a lot of diversity, but also writers from marginalized group. And we did! (YAY!) Megan isn’t the only one (loving all the queer women on our crew!), but her interview touches on why these stories matter so much, something at the heart of my own writing. So pay attention, I guess? She’s a wonderful author, with important things to say. And now, on with it!
1. What inspired your short story? Where did the idea come from?
I’ve always loved “Beauty and the Beast,” but I wanted to twist the transformational aspect: Why does the Beast have to turn back into a human? What if it were the other way around? I’d been tossing around the concept for several months, and the Wings of Renewal call for submissions provided the context: dragons! Plus, writing women who love women is always powerfully important to me. Queer women always deserve more stories.
2. Had you heard of solarpunk before this call for submission? What do you like about the genre?
Solarpunk was a completely new term to me when I saw the call for submissions on Tumblr. I had just finished a writing project and was looking to take on a new one, so I clicked through the links and fell in love. I think I followed a half dozen solarpunk blogs within the first thirty minutes! Everything about solarpunk calls to me: the hope, the power of community, the commitment to diversity, the dream of a place where women who love women are celebrated instead of marginalized. As both a writer and a human being, finding solarpunk was a little like coming home.
3. What genre do you usually write in? Talk about your projects!
I love fantasy, but worldbuilding is by and large beyond me, so magical realism is where it’s at! Young adult and new adult fiction is where I’m most comfortable because I want to write the kind of stories that I needed at 16. I’m slowly building a repertoire of short stories, and my current favorite topic is witches. I’m also looking forward to this year’s National Novel Writing Month, which is going to be a story about lesbian witch moms!
4. What do you love the most about dragons?
What’s not to love? I love the manipulability of dragons most: Depending on the lore, a dragon can be good or evil or morally ambiguous, violent or gentle, nearly human or completely monstrous.
5. What do you do when you’re not writing? Any day jobs or passion?
I’m currently doing a year of service in California, working with elementary school kids on academic improvement and behavior management. Outside of work (inasmuch as there is anything outside of work), I love singing, reading, and running. I’m in training for my second half marathon right now!
6. What’s your favorite book or TV show? Why?
My favorite book is and will always be Annie on My Mind by Nancy Garden. It wasn’t the catalyst for me coming out, but it has been my anchor throughout my journey as a queer woman. It’s a story of hope and joy, which is powerful in the face of so many stories of sadness, pain, and loss among queer people. I’ve always thought of finding my life partner as “finding my Annie,” which as of this year, I have. *heart eyes*
7. Where can we find more of your work?
“Petrichor” is my second published story. My first, “Rosemary for Remembrance,” was published in the anthology Perchance to Dream, available on Amazon [Claudie: edited by Lyssa Chiavari, who’s also in this anthology!] I also occasionally write personal lyrical essays and stories on my blog, Amontillado and Bones.
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Thank you so much for the interview, Megan! ^^