Interview with Fantasy Books
The following interview was done during the Biddle Blog Tour, hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer.
1. Hello, Melissa! Can you tell us something about you and your books?
Happily! I’m twenty-five and I live in a very small southern town. My big brother started a sustainable vegetable farm a few years ago and I’m one of the workers there, so farm life, farm animals, and eating what you grow is very important to me and it shows in my writing. I’m an introvert, I love chocolate, I hate to clean, and though traveling is nice and brings oodles of inspiration, I’m a serious homebody.
I love writing fantasy. I love to create new kingdoms with sprawling, ancient forests and towering castles made of stone. But I also love the common struggles that we all face: overcoming our fears, making choices, finding love, losing love, learning to cope and live with hope. When you boil it down, that’s what my stories are really all about.
2. When did you decide that you wanted to be a writer?
I decided I wanted to be a writer when I was fifteen/sixteen and promptly told all my teachers. I think they were a little concerned.
3. Where do you find your inspiration for your novels? (If it’s not a secret) Have you ever found it in your real life?
So many things inspire me! Art, music, travel, movies, books. There have been so many times when an idea comes out of the blue with no warning. That’s inspiration at its purest.
4. Do any of your fictional character resemble you?
In the book I’m currently working on I see myself in both the main characters. In The Tale of Mally Biddle, I think I’m quite similar to Mally in temperament, but we’re still very different. Maybe Mally is who I would love to be. And if I could write myself, I would TOTALLY give myself curly hair.
5. What book is the first one that you remember reading?
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum.
6. Do you have a favorite book?
Oh, yes. Harry Potter.
7. If you were about to leave on a trip which book would you take with you?
Easy. Harry Potter. Though there would be a struggle over which in the series. They never get old.
8. Tell us one thing you’d like to change about people from nowadays.
I think people spend too much time fretting. I certainly do! I’d love for people to relax a little and see life as full of fun instead of chores. Instead of packing our day with ‘ought tos’ and ‘shoulds’, why don’t we take a breather and do something utterly pointless and wonderful? And lets not feel guilty when it’s over.
9. Is there a moment in your life you’d like to live again?
When I was a teenager, I got to see The Phantom of the Opera on stage. We had miraculous seats, dead center, right under the chandelier that later crashes onto the stage. It was a magical night and the first time I had seen a professional performance. I’d love to do that again.
10. Do you have a message for Romanian readers? Why would you recommend your book?
Well, first off let me say that both the artist and photographer who are credited with the cover of The Tale of Mally Biddle are Romanian! It’s a very small world, is it not? I’ve never visited Romania, but I’ve been experiencing a growing fondness for the country. I would recommend my book to anyone, regardless of age or nationality, as long as you’re game for castles, feasts, quirky characters, murder and full out entertainment.
