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Spotlight on Melanie Milburne, Playboy's Lesson

This week's Author Spotlight is on Melanie Milburne and PLAYBOY'S LESSON. Please welcome Melanie...


Connect with Melanie over the web:
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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.


Tell us a little about your book...

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…

Read Reviews

Read an Excerpt


Buy Links:

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28 comments:

  1. Good answers, Melanie, particularly about writer's block.

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    1. Hi William,
      Thanks 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!

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  2. 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!

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    1. Hi Lexa,
      I 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.

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  3. Can't wait to get stuck into this series. :)

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    1. HI Tash.Nz,
      I 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!

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    2. Hi Melanie, I think the prequel was fab :)

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  4. Sixty 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!)

    Melanie, since you have written so many books, I consider it my duty to read some of 'em. (Only fair, dontcha think?)

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    Replies
    1. Hi Susan,
      I 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.

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  5. That's a lot of books. This one looks quite interesting with that notorious bad boy at its center.

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    1. Hi Cleemckenzie,
      There's nothing like a bad boy to hot up a romance! Thanks for posting.

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  6. Congrats, Melanie! And you are so right about ideas being everywhere. :)

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  7. Reading in bed...nothing better! Yes, once you start writing and the words are flowing, ideas tend to come to you.

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    1. Hi Stephanie,
      Ideas often coming flowing when I'm nowhere near a pen and paper! Thank goodness for my notes page on my phone.
      Thanks for posting.

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  8. wow, that's a lot of books. I'm impressed!

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    1. Hi Lynda,
      Don't be too impressed. It's taken me eleven years and I wrote each one one word at a time.
      Thanks for posting!

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  9. Congrats, Melanie. I'm glad you're not going to run out of ideas :)

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    1. Hi Shelley.
      I haven't run out so far. I really enjoy the challenge of finding a new way to tell a story. Thanks for posting.

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  10. 60 books is impressive! I really enjoyed reading your interview!

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    1. Thanks Sherry, I hope you found it helpful. Thanks for posting.

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  11. It'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!

    Julie

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  12. That's a handsome cover and I'm pleased to meet Melanie.

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  13. Oh 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.

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  14. Love the way you break down writers block, Melanie. Ahhh, reading by the fire.

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  15. 60 books. Is. Amazing. Seriously. Congratulations!

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