Q: Melissa…what made you become a writer?
A: I don’t think I had a
choice. I’ve been writing for as long as
I could hold a pencil. I have all of
these stories in my head, and when I was in my late twenties and had a computer,
I decided to write them. I kept them on
a disk and didn’t do anything with them forever, until my mom suggested I
self-publish. So a couple of years ago I
self published my first book, and I’ve been doing it ever since.
Q:
What is your typical writing day like?
A: Usually the muse hits me at
night. Sometimes I wake up with an idea
and start writing. Sometimes I don’t
think I have control over it, it just happens.
Q:
Do you outline? If so, how extensive are your outlines?
A: I don’t normally outline, but if
I start a sequel, I will outline to keep previous facts straight.
Q:
How many revisions will you typically do on a novel?
A: Not many. I will edit some, but I rarely do revisions.
Q:
What is your best tip for editing a manuscript?
A: My best tip: If you have the
money to pay someone else to do it, do it!
Look for beta readers, and sometimes they might point out typos for you...if you’re lucky.
Q:
Which writing habits and/or tricks of the trade have made you a better writer?
A: Just keep writing. Don’t write to get rich. Write because you have to write, write
because you have to tell a story.
Q:
Do you ever suffer through writer’s block? If so, how do you fight it?
A: I suffer through writer’s block,
and I walk away from it and don’t write until the muse hits me again. It helps to take a short break occasionally.
Q:
What drew you to write your preferred genre(s)?
A: Anything with people who fall
in love and are together in the end.
Q:
Do you utilize beta readers?
A: When I can get them!
Q:
In your most recently published novel, what’s one scene you really enjoyed
writing—and why?
A: I really enjoyed writing the
scene where the male lead breaks down crying and the female lead comforts him,
and that leads to the answer to the next question.
Q:
What makes the main character(s) of your most recent novel so special?
A: The male lead is the one in
trouble, and the female lead is the one saving him. I like flipping the script and giving people
something different.
Q:
What is your best advice for author self-promotion?
A: I’m still waiting for someone to
give me some good advice!
Q:
How do you deal with negative reviews?
A: I used to worry about them, but I
don’t anymore.
Q:
What is your favorite aspect of being an indie author?
A: I control everything.
Q:
What is your least favorite aspect of being an indie author?
A: I have to beg people to read my
stuff!
Q:
What is your current writing project?
A: Two sequels, which are both for
novels that I love.
Q:
What are three of your favorite novels?
A: The Outsiders, The Hunger Games, and Odd Thomas.
Q:
If you could have lunch with any novelist, living or dead, who would it be?
What would talk to them about?
A: I would probably choose Stephen
King. I’d like to talk to him about where he gets his ideas.
Q: What is your best piece of advice
for budding authors?
A: If you really love the stories in
your head, don’t give up.
Q:
What is your favorite inspirational quote?
A: “Never give up.”
#
#
No witches, warlocks or vampires...
just a sexy tale about trying to live the Hollywood dream...
Luigi's Chinese Delicatessen by Jim Vines
No comments:
Post a Comment