Where Sensibility and Character Development Meet in Creative Voice with Megan Cummins

In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Megan Cummins, author of the upcoming novel 'Atomic Hearts' and the story collection 'If the Body Allows It.' Megan shared insights into her journey in finding her creative voice, a process that took years to fully grasp. 

From writing stories as a child to studying in an MFA program, she discussed how her sensibility plays a crucial role in her writing and how she's learned to align it with her characters over time. Megan also highlighted the importance of focusing on what genuinely fascinates her, which she believes makes for more compelling storytelling. We also discussed the challenges of writing while balancing a full-time job and the importance of taking your time to complete a project. 

Megan's experience as a managing editor at Public Books and as an editor at large at A Public Space adds another layer to her understanding of the craft. She emphasized the value of taking your time and reading widely, even incorporating poetry into her reading list despite primarily writing fiction. Megan’s advice for writers includes keeping a notebook handy to jot down ideas and observations immediately and not falling into the trap of comparison. 

Megan was also kind enough to share an excerpt of her upcoming book, ‘Atomic Hearts’, releasing on August 5, giving us a glimpse into her evocative and detail-rich storytelling. 

Key Topics:

• How Megan defines her creative voice through sensibility
• Bringing one’s sensibility into the character as a form of voice
• How Megan plots the mechanics of her writing and weaves sensibility into her stories
• An editor’s perspective on voice and how they contribute to the development of a story
• Navigating POV and the struggle of writing an omniscient narrator
• Why Megan’s book has been 10-years in the making
• The importance of not falling into the trap of comparison as a writer
• How Megan found an agent and a publisher and the process she took to get her book published
• Reading as much as you can and keeping a notebook around to help you constantly develop your creative voice

Connect with Megan online:

Website: https://megancummins.com/

Atomic Hearts: https://bookshop.org/p/books/atomic-hearts-megan-cummins/22021538?ean=9780593875353&next=t&affiliate=5882

If the Body Allows It: https://megancummins.com/if-the-body-allows-it

Instagram: @megancummins

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/megancummins.bsky.social

Find more from Jill:

Email: [e-mail]

Website: https://www.thewritersrefuge.com/

Writing Coaching Programs: https://www.thewritersrefuge.com/coaching

Sign up for my free 3x weekly writing session: write to [e-mail] for ZOOM info

Special thanks to LVDY for allowing us to use their song, Saltwater, in the intro and outro of the podcast!