So here's the first of the interviews I've promised you to celebrate our blogoversary. And today we'll be having Melissa Pearl, author of the Betwixt series and other works!
*applause and cheers*
And if you want an incentive to read the interview, there's a giveaway waiting for you at the end. *winks*
1. You've written many genres. Which of them do you find the most satisfying to write?
I have loved writing all my books for varying reasons, but to date, my favorite genre to read and write is romantic suspense.
In saying that, I REALLY loved writing Fever, which was NA contemporary romance, but that’s probably because of the music element :)
2. What can we expect from your upcoming books?
The next 18 months holds in store for me… four NA contemporary romances (Songbird Series), four more Evatopia Press books (upper YA Romantic Suspense), and a young YA series - The Mica & Lexy Series (romantic…hmmm - what would you call it….Action, I guess. Think Sweet Valley High, set in New Zealand…two 16 year old best friends who can’t help but get themselves in trouble ;) )
3. I noticed that music was important in your newest release, Fever. How important do you think music is to our lives?
For me, music is hugely important. It’s part of who I am. I feel like it’s the air in my soul sometimes. I love all kinds of music and it moves me in a very deep way. So to be able to combine my two passions - music & story-telling is such a special treat for me :)
I know music’s not necessarily important to everybody, but I don’t know many who don’t at least like some music a little. I think music takes the grey and turns it into sunshine :)
4. What do you do when you encounter writer's block?
I often find moving away from the computer the best thing to do…going for a walk or to the gym, taking a shower (that’s probably the place my mind works best. LOL :D) or doing the dishes. Anything that I can do where my mind can wander and sort through whatever block I’m struggling with.
It’s also good to remind myself that there is more than one way to get to the ending. It’s sometimes really easy to get caught with a certain scene that you want to use, but at the end of the day, there’s always something else you can try. Sometimes it’s a matter of letting go, so you can make room for something better.
5. Name a book you believe everyone must absolutely read.
Hmmmm - that’s such a great question…and SO hard to answer. I have read so many great books over the years.
About two months ago, I finished Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Powell and that’s a book I think all writer’s should read, because it’s one of the best examples of ‘show, don’t tell’ I’ve ever read.
As for moving and powerful, I’d say The Help by Kathryn Stockett is a must read.
6. Has your passion for writing always been there since you were a kid?
Yes - definitely, I just didn’t know it. When I was a kid, I was ALWAYS making up stories…always, it just never occurred to me to write any of them down :D
There’s a scene in the movie Sister Act 2 where Whoopie Goldberg’s character challenges one of her music students saying that when she wakes up in the morning, if the first thing she thinks about is singing, then she’s supposed to be a singer. I remember thinking, what do I think of when I wake up in the morning? Stories - it was always whatever story was floating through my imagination. I guess it means I was meant to be a writer, huh :)
7. Which character in your books do you think would be your best friend if they existed in real life?
If I could hang out with any of them, it’d be Zach, Lucy and all of their friends from the Fugitive Series. Man, I love those guys so much. They are awesome :D
8. If you had the chance to co-write a book with an author, who would it be and what would you call it?
Well, the Mica & Lexy Series is co-written with my best friend and I have to say that it’s got to be one of the coolest experiences of my life. She is SO great to work with and we have so much fun together.
9. Covers play a part in promoting books. Have you ever tried designing your own book covers?
No way!! I wish I was that talented :D But I leave the designing up to those amazing graphic designers who can take my really vague visions and turn them into something AMAZING!!!
10. Do you prefer reading or writing?
Both :D I love getting lost in someone else’s story…and I love getting lost in my own character’s worlds as well.
Stephen Kind said a good writer, is a good reader and I think that’s so true. You have to enjoy both to be successful.
To find out more about Melissa Pearl and her works, click HERE to access her Goodreads page!
Click HERE to check out my review for I Know Lucy; and HERE for Set Me Free; lastly, HERE for Fever!
AND NOW FOR THE GIVEAWAY! GOOD LUCK! Giveaway is international!!!
Melissa Pearl was born in Auckland, New Zealand, but has spent much of her life abroad, living in countries such as Jordan, Cyprus and Pakistan... not to mention a nine month road trip around North America with her husband. "Best. Year. Ever!!" She now lives in China with her husband and two sons. She is a trained elementary teacher, but writing is her passion. Since becoming a full time mother she has had the opportunity to pursue this dream and her debut novel hit the internet in November 2011. Since then she has continued to produce a steady stream of books. Recently she signed with Evatopia Press and her first Evatopia book is coming out in February 2014 - True Colors, The Masks Series #1. She is very excited to be trying out new things this year while continuing to publish under her own name as well. She has six books planned for 2014 and is excited about writing each and every one of them.
"I am passionate about writing. It stirs a fire in my soul that I never knew I had. I want to be the best writer I can possibly be and transport my readers into another world where they can laugh, cry and fall in love."
http://www.melissapearlauthor.com
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