A Conversation With... Melissa Pearl
A CONVERSATION WITH... MELISSA PEARL
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."
You can find her website here.
What do you do with your leisure time?
I love to sing and play the piano. I also ADORE watching movies. I love getting caught up in a good story whether it's on screen or in a book, but movies inspire me the most. They are so visual and the musical score really adds to the whole experience.
And I, of course, love hanging out with my amazing husband and two sons.
How long have you been writing and what was your first published piece?>I've been writing for about 12 years now, but I didn't publish my first book until November 2011 - Golden Blood (The Time Spirit Trilogy, #1)
What inspires you as a writer?
>Everything - music, movies, books, nature, people watching, questions, conversations with people, visiting cool places. Anything that will put a scene in my head. Most of my stories grow from one scene that captures me and I build around that.
Are you a panster or a plotter?
Definitely a plotter, although my stories do develop in the first draft stage. I don't stick religiously to my plan, but the basic structure stays the same.
Have your writing habits and methods changed from when you were starting out?
Yes - definitely. I have learned so much from studying the craft of writing and have developed my style hugely. I used to just write off the top of my head...now I plan meticulously. I used to use beta readers, but not editors. It didn't take long to figure out how valuable professional editors are - pure gold! I've learned to develop my characters fully, taking the time to figure out exactly who they are before writing a novel - this has helped my work hugely.
You've written three trilogies to date. Do you have a particular passion for trilogies or is that just the way it turns out?
To be honest, I never imagined that I would ever write one trilogy, let alone three. It was actually a marketing move on my part. I had studied what was working in bookstores and online and I noticed many YA writers were writing trilogies and series. I could see how popular they were and I thought I'd give it a go. I ended up loving it way more than I thought I would. Readers often say how they don't want to say goodbye to characters and I understand that feeling. With writing more than one book, you get to hang out with these characters for longer and I really love that :)
How has travel helped your writing?
Yes - definitely. I have come up with so many story ideas. Being in new places inspires my imagination...especially historic places - temples, castles, old ruins...places like that. It's also given me a really good picture of how different cultures work. We may all be humans, but our thinking is so different across the world. It's been really good for me to get firsthand insight into those differences. It's helped me understand humans just a little better.
What advice would you give writers who aren't able to travel quite so frequently?
Internet research - looking up pictures of places they want to set their stories in, learning the history of towns and how they came to be.
Watching movies or reading books - even though these stories are often fictitious, the basic facts about the setting and the feel for the culture are usually pretty good. You'll get so many insights from studying the background and listening to the way people talk and the things they care about.
What are you working on now?
I have just finished a two book series that I enjoyed writing SO much. It's in 2nd draft stage at the moment.
It's my first romantic suspense about a mystery girl who turns up at my MC's school. He's a curious guy and wants to figure out who she is...but the more he discovers, the more he realizes that this girl he's falling for is actually a lying thief.
The first book is entitled I Know Lucy and is written from Zach's viewpoint, but also jumps back in time so the reader can find out Lucy's real story as well.
It's been an awesome project to work on and the entire cast of characters have been so excellent to hang out with. Zach's friends are colorful and unique and writing Lucy's story was also a pleasure. She is a strong, amazing character and quite possibly my favorite out of all the characters I've written.
What else do you have planned for 2014?
2014 is a huge year for me.
True Colors (The Masks Series, #1) released on Feb 16th. This is a YA Contemporary Romance with a paranormal twist. It was a great project to work on and I'm really happy with the outcome.
I then have this romantic suspense series coming out in April & May. My first contemporary romance novel is due out at the beginning of June and at the end of June I'm heading to the States. I've been asked to be on a panel at UtopYA Con in Nashville, which I'm so excited about. After that I'm flying home to NZ for a holiday with my family. We'll be there for seven blissful weeks before I head back to China with my boys. The second half of my year will be filled producing the final three books in The Masks Series.
Who are your favourite writers?
I have so many, but off the top of my head... Anna Cruise, Simone Elkeles, Sarah Alderson, Nora Roberts, Francine Rivers and Dee Henderson.
What is something you do that people find odd or even weird?
Hmm - good question. I'm not sure. I sing a lot in public. I'm often humming or singing as I walk down the street. I know some people think that's really strange :) Another thing I do when I'm really lost in my imagination is start coming up with dialogue for my scenes. It must look like I'm totally talking to myself as I'm walking along the road. LOL :D
What advice would you give new writers just starting out?
Take the time to study the craft of writing. There is so much to learn about story structure, character development, dialogue, show-not-tell writing, voice... the list goes on. It's worth spending time reading those amazing books out there and taking a course or two. You'll get so much out of it and then be producing stuff that's really worthy of being published.
Would you ever consider using an agent or do you prefer being an indie writer?
I love being an indie writer, but I'm not opposed to an agent. If one approached me and they looked like they could be really helpful and get my books some decent exposure, then I'd definitely consider it.
Where would you like to be in five years time?
I love where I'm out now. Writing for a living is the best job ever!!!! I feel so incredibly lucky to be doing what I'm doing. If my ultimate dream came true, I would be seeing my books on screen either as a TV Show or movies. Not sure that will ever happen, but if I was there in five years, I'd be one very happy camper :)
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."
You can find her website here.
What do you do with your leisure time?
I love to sing and play the piano. I also ADORE watching movies. I love getting caught up in a good story whether it's on screen or in a book, but movies inspire me the most. They are so visual and the musical score really adds to the whole experience.
And I, of course, love hanging out with my amazing husband and two sons.
How long have you been writing and what was your first published piece?>I've been writing for about 12 years now, but I didn't publish my first book until November 2011 - Golden Blood (The Time Spirit Trilogy, #1)
What inspires you as a writer?
>Everything - music, movies, books, nature, people watching, questions, conversations with people, visiting cool places. Anything that will put a scene in my head. Most of my stories grow from one scene that captures me and I build around that.
Are you a panster or a plotter?
Definitely a plotter, although my stories do develop in the first draft stage. I don't stick religiously to my plan, but the basic structure stays the same.
Have your writing habits and methods changed from when you were starting out?
Yes - definitely. I have learned so much from studying the craft of writing and have developed my style hugely. I used to just write off the top of my head...now I plan meticulously. I used to use beta readers, but not editors. It didn't take long to figure out how valuable professional editors are - pure gold! I've learned to develop my characters fully, taking the time to figure out exactly who they are before writing a novel - this has helped my work hugely.
You've written three trilogies to date. Do you have a particular passion for trilogies or is that just the way it turns out?
To be honest, I never imagined that I would ever write one trilogy, let alone three. It was actually a marketing move on my part. I had studied what was working in bookstores and online and I noticed many YA writers were writing trilogies and series. I could see how popular they were and I thought I'd give it a go. I ended up loving it way more than I thought I would. Readers often say how they don't want to say goodbye to characters and I understand that feeling. With writing more than one book, you get to hang out with these characters for longer and I really love that :)
How has travel helped your writing?
Yes - definitely. I have come up with so many story ideas. Being in new places inspires my imagination...especially historic places - temples, castles, old ruins...places like that. It's also given me a really good picture of how different cultures work. We may all be humans, but our thinking is so different across the world. It's been really good for me to get firsthand insight into those differences. It's helped me understand humans just a little better.
What advice would you give writers who aren't able to travel quite so frequently?
Internet research - looking up pictures of places they want to set their stories in, learning the history of towns and how they came to be.
Watching movies or reading books - even though these stories are often fictitious, the basic facts about the setting and the feel for the culture are usually pretty good. You'll get so many insights from studying the background and listening to the way people talk and the things they care about.
What are you working on now?
I have just finished a two book series that I enjoyed writing SO much. It's in 2nd draft stage at the moment.
It's my first romantic suspense about a mystery girl who turns up at my MC's school. He's a curious guy and wants to figure out who she is...but the more he discovers, the more he realizes that this girl he's falling for is actually a lying thief.
The first book is entitled I Know Lucy and is written from Zach's viewpoint, but also jumps back in time so the reader can find out Lucy's real story as well.
It's been an awesome project to work on and the entire cast of characters have been so excellent to hang out with. Zach's friends are colorful and unique and writing Lucy's story was also a pleasure. She is a strong, amazing character and quite possibly my favorite out of all the characters I've written.
What else do you have planned for 2014?
2014 is a huge year for me.
True Colors (The Masks Series, #1) released on Feb 16th. This is a YA Contemporary Romance with a paranormal twist. It was a great project to work on and I'm really happy with the outcome.
I then have this romantic suspense series coming out in April & May. My first contemporary romance novel is due out at the beginning of June and at the end of June I'm heading to the States. I've been asked to be on a panel at UtopYA Con in Nashville, which I'm so excited about. After that I'm flying home to NZ for a holiday with my family. We'll be there for seven blissful weeks before I head back to China with my boys. The second half of my year will be filled producing the final three books in The Masks Series.
Who are your favourite writers?
I have so many, but off the top of my head... Anna Cruise, Simone Elkeles, Sarah Alderson, Nora Roberts, Francine Rivers and Dee Henderson.
What is something you do that people find odd or even weird?
Hmm - good question. I'm not sure. I sing a lot in public. I'm often humming or singing as I walk down the street. I know some people think that's really strange :) Another thing I do when I'm really lost in my imagination is start coming up with dialogue for my scenes. It must look like I'm totally talking to myself as I'm walking along the road. LOL :D
What advice would you give new writers just starting out?
Take the time to study the craft of writing. There is so much to learn about story structure, character development, dialogue, show-not-tell writing, voice... the list goes on. It's worth spending time reading those amazing books out there and taking a course or two. You'll get so much out of it and then be producing stuff that's really worthy of being published.
Would you ever consider using an agent or do you prefer being an indie writer?
I love being an indie writer, but I'm not opposed to an agent. If one approached me and they looked like they could be really helpful and get my books some decent exposure, then I'd definitely consider it.
Where would you like to be in five years time?
I love where I'm out now. Writing for a living is the best job ever!!!! I feel so incredibly lucky to be doing what I'm doing. If my ultimate dream came true, I would be seeing my books on screen either as a TV Show or movies. Not sure that will ever happen, but if I was there in five years, I'd be one very happy camper :)
For more of Melissa, including contact details please follow the links below.
Melissa's website
Melissa's blogspot
YAlicious blog
Melissa on Amazon
my file
Melissa on Twitter @MelissaPearlG
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Melissa
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Feb 23, 2014 03:15PM
Cool. Thanks so much for having me and asking such great questions. I had fun answering them :)
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