This month, we’re featuring an artist who has two passions: writing and real estate. In order to do anything well, you must believe in what you do, and Meg is a great example of that. The first post will discuss her writing and the next real estate. Feel free to contact her at megshike@kw.com!

Rev Pub: When did you start writing and why?

I have been writing as long as I can remember. I grew up reading Stephen King and Michael Gruber’s, The Good Son, and watching all of the Nightmare on Elm Street movies well before I should have been allowed to be reading or watching any of these. These did two things for me. First, they scared me in the best possible way. Second, they allowed me to disappear into this world that someone else’s imagination created. That’s when I became addicted to writing. I have always wanted to be able to use my imagination to create a world so believable you can slip into it just by turning the pages of my book. Before you know it, hours have gone by and you didn’t even notice because you were so entranced by my writing. While I have been writing all my life, I really got serious about writing in grad school because I learned how to write a novel. I spent the next year after graduation writing my first novel, which is far more writing for my own pursuits than I have ever done in that short a time period.

Rev Pub: Who are your favorite authors and why?

Stephen King: His imagination is astounding and never ending. IT was a pivotal, formative moment in my childhood. IT helped me fall even more in love with Stephen King than I already was. Rose Madder is another one of his books that I really enjoy and feel is a complete world in and of itself.

James Patterson: At this point in time, James Patterson produces, on average, seven books a year. His books aren’t crap either. Believe me. I’ve read a lot of crap. These days, he’s writing all of them with a co-writer. They’re still fun novels and characters to jump in bed with for an afternoon, and when you finish, you only have to wait a month or so for another one. I appreciate that he’s got the creative and business sides of his business rockin! Not all creatives are capable of this.

J.K. Rowling: The detail she creates in her world is incredible. It’s so easy to slip into her imaginary world and live there until I run out of pages. Not to mention the fact that her books are just fun. They got adults reading more and got kids reading for the first time. Both of those deserve major respect.

Rev Pub: What motivates you to write?

What motivates me to write is a need and desire stronger than any other I have felt. Writing is what I have felt called to do since I started reading. I want to give people a world to slip into for an afternoon. As adults, we forget to use our imagination. Sometimes great authors remind us to stop and live a little. I want to be one of those authors. I want you to be able to pick up one of my books and disappear for in a world that is so real it makes you forget about everything on your to-do list.

Rev Pub: Do you have any advice to others on how to work in time to write?

My advice to others if you want to write or whatever your true passion is you just have to do it. If it’s that important to you, just do it. Everything in life that’s worth anything takes work. Writing is the same for me. When I wrote my first novel, it took a year and was my primary focus for that year. I got up every morning, worked out, and then sat at my dining room table/office and wrote for hours.

I will also say, if you want writing to be more than a hobby, then you need to consider it as important as your job. Good writing habits require discipline like getting good at your primary profession does. Also, you have to practice jumping into the writing mindset quicker and quicker. It used to take me hours to get into the mindset and get into the groove cranking out chapters. Today, it takes less and less time. You also have to welcome the moments of inspiration when they come. For me, this means when I see something on the news that’s particular grotesque or ‘effed up that might be inspiration for a future book, I stop and make a note to put with all my other notes. It doesn’t matter if I’m in the mood or if I’m at a party. If you want to write or do something creative, you’ve got to be ready to receive these creative inspirations whenever they come.