How do you keep coming up with fresh characters
and stories?
When I starting writing I thought I would
eventually run out of ideas and characters. But I’m about to start my 60th
book and I keep finding story ideas everywhere. The newspaper, magazines, some
of the books I read (not necessarily just romance) and life in general.
What do you like to read?
I read a lot of thrillers, a bit of crime,
women’s fiction and romance, biographies, social commentary and literary
fiction.
What's your favorite place to read?
I love reading in bed as I have a bad back so
it’s the only place I am truly comfortable. But I also like curling up in front
of the fire at our beach house in winter with the dogs curled up on my lap- all
three of them!
What are some of your reading pet peeves?
I don’t like back-story or information dumps. I’m
probably guilty of it in earlier books so I realize it’s part of the process of
learning how to write leaner and tighter. I also don’t like characters I don’t
feel anything for. I want to feel something for them as soon as I meet them-
just like in real life!
Do your characters stick with you after you've
finished a book and if so, how do you handle it?
I get to meet them again when the copy edits come
in a few weeks later so that is always nice. It’s like catching up with old
friends. But usually I am so busy with the next book I have little time to
spare. But occasionally when I am daydreaming I will think… I wonder how so and
so are getting on? :)
How do you handle writer's block?
Writer’s block for me is a form of torture. But
it usually has three sources and if I can fix one or all of them I can get
going again: Character block, scene block, or setting block. Usually there is
something wrong with one of these aspects of the story. Having said that,
sometimes I just get tired and have to have a break. It’s amazing how a day or
two off doing other things can help!
What motivates you to write your books?
I’ve always been motivated by my own desire to
write which has been present since I was about four years old. But over the
last couple of years quite a few readers have written to me to say how much my
books have helped them through difficult times. I found that powerfully
motivating- to bring the best stories I can so I can help others. For me there
can be no higher calling.
Lucca Chatsfield is a notorious bad boy who has
been exiled to a Mediterranean principality to help uptight and starchy
Princess Charlotte plan her sister’s wedding. Lottie is incensed by the scandal
attracting blow-in and is determined not to be yet another one of his
conquests. Until she accidentally finds out just who Lucca Chatsfield is when
the paparazzi aren’t watching…
Good answers, Melanie, particularly about writer's block.
ReplyDeleteHi William,
DeleteThanks for your comment. A lot of writers beat themselves up about writer's block but I think it's part and parcel of being a writer. The trick is to find out what's wrong and fix it!
Great info about your process, Melanie. I have the same feeling about being blocked - I just have to identify the "real" problem and fix it. But I could never write as quickly as you. I'm glad you do, though, because as a teen I gobbled up every romance I could and always wanted more!
ReplyDeleteHi Lexa,
DeleteI don't write as quickly as I'd like to! I have too many story ideas and not enough time.
Thanks so much for posting.
Can't wait to get stuck into this series. :)
ReplyDeleteHI Tash.Nz,
DeleteI think it will be a good series to read in order. I really enjoyed writing my prequel and Lucca and Lottie's story. Thanks for posting!
Hi Melanie, I think the prequel was fab :)
DeleteSixty books!?? Yowza. I am duly impressed. Congratulations to Melanie for such a prolific career. (Jeez, and I though I was doing okay by writing one measly little book. HA!)
ReplyDeleteMelanie, since you have written so many books, I consider it my duty to read some of 'em. (Only fair, dontcha think?)
Hi Susan,
DeleteI would love you to read my books!
Thanks for posting. Lovely to hear from you. I should qualify that two of those sixty books were only 15,000 words but I still count them in as writing short is sometimes just as hard as writing long. Good luck with your writing.
That's a lot of books. This one looks quite interesting with that notorious bad boy at its center.
ReplyDeleteHi Cleemckenzie,
DeleteThere's nothing like a bad boy to hot up a romance! Thanks for posting.
Congrats, Melanie! And you are so right about ideas being everywhere. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Cherie,
DeleteThank for your comment!
Reading in bed...nothing better! Yes, once you start writing and the words are flowing, ideas tend to come to you.
ReplyDeleteHi Stephanie,
DeleteIdeas often coming flowing when I'm nowhere near a pen and paper! Thank goodness for my notes page on my phone.
Thanks for posting.
wow, that's a lot of books. I'm impressed!
ReplyDeleteHi Lynda,
DeleteDon't be too impressed. It's taken me eleven years and I wrote each one one word at a time.
Thanks for posting!
60?! *faints* That's amazing!
ReplyDeleteHi Carrie,
DeleteThanks for commenting!
Congrats, Melanie. I'm glad you're not going to run out of ideas :)
ReplyDeleteHi Shelley.
DeleteI haven't run out so far. I really enjoy the challenge of finding a new way to tell a story. Thanks for posting.
60 books is impressive! I really enjoyed reading your interview!
ReplyDeleteThanks Sherry, I hope you found it helpful. Thanks for posting.
DeleteIt's so true about having to feel something for the characters. A story just isn't complete without it. I'm also impressed that you've written sixty books! Wishing you continued success! Thanks for the great interview Melanie and Nas!
ReplyDeleteJulie
That's a handsome cover and I'm pleased to meet Melanie.
ReplyDeleteOh my, what an awesome sounding story. Funny how we have committed our own pet peeves, but you're right, we make the mistakes as we learn.
ReplyDeleteLove the way you break down writers block, Melanie. Ahhh, reading by the fire.
ReplyDelete60 books. Is. Amazing. Seriously. Congratulations!
ReplyDelete