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Spotlight on The Valquez Bride, Melanie Milburne & Giveaways!

Our Spotlight this week is on The Valquez Bride and author Melanie Milburne. And there are giveaways! 

Connect with Melanie over the web:

Website      Facebook     Twitter      Author Page





How do you come up with the ideas for your stories?


I rarely have to go hunting for story ideas. They nearly always find me. It will often start with a thought… what if so and so happened? And then my imagination will take off. With this story I wondered what would happen if a shy wallflower girl who had a limp was forced to marry a super fit, athletic playboy. Voila! 



Does writer’s block ever happen to you?

Occasionally. It is the most awful feeling, especially with a close deadline. It is usually because something is wrong with the story or sometimes it’s the emotion I’m shying away from. Some scenes, particularly towards the end of a book, can be really draining emotionally so a bit of avoidance behaviour creeps in!

How do you cope with it when it strikes?
After I’ve cleaned out all the cupboards and cooked some really complicated gourmet meals (my family always know when I’m having trouble with a book as the menu suddenly improves!) and taken the dogs for extra long walks, I get back to the computer and I’m usually ready to press on. A lot of writing is deeply subconscious, or at least it is for me. I need thinking time away from the computer in order to process the story.

Of all the stories you’ve written, what’s your favourite?

This is such a hard question to ask a writer, as usually the story they’re currently working on is their favourite. But I have to say I had an absolute ball writing A Date With Her Valentine Doc which will be out in February 2015. My heroine Bertie Clark is back at work from her “ honeymoon” but doesn’t tell her workmates –including her new handsome boss- that her wedding didn’t go ahead. It’s an imposter plot and I laughed out loud as I wrote it.

Do you live in your characters’ worlds while you write?

I do as I am a visual writer and like to write as if I am seeing a movie being acted out in front of me. I hate distractions when I’m writing, as it can be jarring to be reminded there is another world other than my characters’ one!


Shy and reclusive children’s book illustrator
Teddy Marlstone is outraged to find out she will lose her English manor house and country estate unless she marries traffic-stoppingly handsome playboy from the polo set, Alejandro Valquez, the man who snubbed her when she was an awkward, self-conscious sixteen year old. Teddy will do anything to put Alejandro off marrying her, including making herself as unattractive as possible at their first meeting to discuss the terms of her father’s will. But something about the little English heiress with the limp and the big attitude intrigues Alejandro and he decides a bride might be just the thing he most desires!



I have a signed copy of The Valquez Bride for a reader who enters the giveaway below. 



And please do tell me about writer’s/worker’s/anything block. What do you do when you are avoiding what you’re supposed to be doing?



Enter to WIN!



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21 comments:

  1. Hmm, gourmet meals? I think my husband would love it if that happened when I get writers block! :)

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    1. Hi Meradeth,
      Ha ha! My husband thinks it's great up until I start tearing my hair out.
      Thanks for commenting.

      Delete
  2. Nice to meet you, Melanie!

    The what if question is certainly one that many an author starts off with!

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  3. I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who laughs out loud at her own writing. I'll definitely have to snag a copy of that made-ya-laugh book when it comes out in February.

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    1. Hi Susan,
      I must admit I don't always laugh. It's usually more likely for me to cry... not just because the book is emotional but because I have a deadline! LOL.
      Thanks for posting.

      Delete
  4. I'm kind of thinking your family likes when you struggle with a book. ;)

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    1. Hi Kelly,
      They certainly do! You should see the feasts I can cook up when things are going awry!
      Thanks for posting.

      Delete
  5. You and I sound a lot alike, Melanie.
    Great interview, ladies.

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  6. Hi Melissa,
    I like like minded people! Thanks so much for posting. Glad you enjoyed the interview.

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  7. I hate distractions when I'm writing, too!

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    1. Hi Sherry,
      It's like being interrupted during a really interesting conversation, isn't it?
      Thanks so much for posting.

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  8. Hi Nas and Melanie - I struggle with too many topics and where to go and which to choose - but then I'm only writing blog posts ... I love gourmet meals .. and dog walking .. but as Sherry says when I'm on a roll I'm on it ... the book sounds fun ... cheers Hilary

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    Replies
    1. Hi Hilary,
      Lovely that you stopped by when you have so much going on. Blogging is such an art: how to make it interesting to appeal to a wide audience.
      Thanks for posting!

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  9. I LOVE the What if game. Best writing game ever! (Could only be improved by adding cheese.)

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    Replies
    1. Hi Crystal,
      Ah, yes, the what if game is fun. What if the cheese ran away with the mouse?!!!! See what you've started?
      Thanks for dropping by.

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  10. I like asking "What if" too! So many things can happen when we start with that thought. :) Wishing Melanie the best of luck!
    ~Jess

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    Replies
    1. Hi Jess,
      Thanks for commenting! What if questions are such fun. Hope you enjoy the book.

      Delete
  11. Great interview! I agree about writing being subconscious. There was a story on TV recently that confirmed what I've always suspected--exercise gets the bloodflow going, increase oxygen to your brain and helping you think more clearly. So that dog walking might have more benefits than she realizes!

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  12. It's nice that there are benefits (for the rest of the family) to writer's block. Smiles.

    Good luck with The Valquez Bride, Melanie!

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  13. Great interview. I can so relate:) The book sounds like a fun read.
    Hope you both have a great weekend.

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