Meet the Co-Founder: Meagan Gonzalez

This week we continue our “Meet the Co-Founder” blog series. In this second installment, we’re shining the spotlight on Meagan Gonzalez. Learn about her history with writing and what advice she has for new writers.

What got you into writing?

I’ve been interested in writing since I was a little girl. I wrote my first story at 5 or 6 years old called “Where is the Bee”. And from there my love for writing continued to grow. I think it helped that my mom is an English teacher. I guess you could say writing is in my blood.

What genre do you like to write?

I tend to write literary fiction. I gravitate toward stories that make you consider what you would do in a similar situation. To be honest, I find real-world stories fascinating as our stories are more complex than we give them credit for.

What is the title of the book you are working on?

My book’s working title is, “Otherworldly,” which was its original name I came up with about 10 years ago. My novel has changed significantly (I mean, like, a literal genre change, plus some) so I’m fully expecting to rename it once its finished. I think it would be cool to publish with the original title, but I’ve kept myself from getting attached to it.

Do you have any current book recommendations?

I was obsessed with The Lovely Bones for the longest time. Also loved The Book Thief and just recently read They Both Die at the End which I thoroughly enjoyed.

What’s something you like to do in your free time?

Oh man, I love trying all sorts of hobbies in my free time. Mostly I spend it playing piano, writing music, gardening, hitting the gym, playing video games, and forever planning vacations I know I won’t get to go on anytime soon. I’m also obsessed with my dog, Chopper.

What are you looking forward to the most about the future of Author’s Grove Writing Retreats?

I’m so excited to get to meet people who are also working on their novels. I can’t wait for the day we can say, “Here, look at all these books that were published that got their start (or ending) at one of our retreats.”

What advice do you have for people who are just getting into writing?

Stop rewriting your beginning! Seriously, it’s okay to move one. You’re not going to nail the beginning, the middle, or the end on the first pass. Or the second. Or the third. Give yourself the grace to suck. Just keep going until you have a completed story. Then you can nitpick.