**Author Peek** Interview with Melissa McClone
**AUTHOR PEEK** Interview with MELISSA McCLONE
INTRODUCING…Melissa McClone.
Before we get started talking about your writing, tell us a little about yourself, where you’re from, what you do for a living (if you’re not a full-time writer) what hobbies you have, etc. Whatever you’d like to share to introduce yourself.
I’m so happy to be here today. I’m Melissa McClone, and I’ve known Karen longer than I’ve known my husband! We first met way back when we were unpublished and living in the San Francisco Bay Area. Since then, I’ve published over thirty romance novels with Harlequin and Tule Publishing Group. I’ve also been nominated for Romance Writers of America’s RITA® award. If I’m not writing, I’m dealing with my kids (two and four legged ones!) I’m addicting to making care packages for deployed service members and I also foster cats through a local no-kill animal shelter. I live in the Pacific Northwest with my husband, three school-aged children, two spoiled Norwegian Elkhounds and cats who think they rule the house. They do!
1. What appeals to you about the genre that you write?
I enjoy the journey of two people meeting (or reuniting), falling in love with each other and overcoming the obstacles that stand in their way. When I reach the end of a romance novel whether I’m reading or writing, I know I’ll get that heart-sighing, happily ever after I love! That’s why I love the romance genre.
2. Are you a plotter or a pantser (one who writes “by the seat of your pants”)?
I’m a plotter. I actually write the last chapter after I write the first three chapters so I know where I’m going.
3. What is your favorite part of writing?
Having written! LOL! My favorite part of writing is revising. The blank page is still a little scary to me even after I’ve written so many books.
4. If you had to give up writing and do something else, what would you do instead?
Not sure I could make a living at it, but I’d love to be a professional crafter! I’m not artistic, but I love doing crafts. I can spend hours at Michaels daydreaming of things I’d like to make.
5. What’s your favorite meal of the day?
Breakfast! It’s also my favorite meal to go out to eat! But it’s also the meal I’m most likely to skip when I get busy. Maybe that’s why I enjoy it so much!
6. Which are your favorite characters to write, the female characters or the male characters? Why?
I love writing the male characters. I think it’s because they are so different from me, and I like getting into their heads! I do a lot of research and talk to late-twentysomething, early-thirtysomething guys to help me. That’s a lot of fun!
7. If you had a superpower, what would it be , and how would you use it?
I would want to be invisible. An occupational hazard of being a writer is eavesdropping. Imagine all I could overhear if I was invisible? Perfect writer super power!
8. Many writers dream of having the ideal location to write. If you could live anywhere in the world or live a particular lifestyle, where would you be answering these questions right now?
I would be living in Bend, Oregon! That’s my favorite place to visit and where I dream of living someday.
9. Do you have any rejection stories to share ? Reviews that meant something special to you?
I’ve been very fortunate. My first three books were rejected, then the fourth was sold after I revised it. I’ve had very few rejections since I sold back in 1997. One of those was put on the back burner where I intend to let it stay!
As for reviews, every single one is special to me. Why? Because someone took the time to write a review even if they don’t like a story. I’m still blown away that people will review my books! But if I had to pick one, it would have to be RT Book Reviews one for IN DEEP WATERS… This was the book I was writing when 9/11 happened. After that day, I wrote pure, over the top escapism and dedicated the book to my kids (I had two at the time.) I received a 4 ½ Gold for that book!
10. Tell us about your next book & when is it being published?
My next book will be out in April 2015 from Holiday Books, an imprint of Tule Publishing Group. It’s a sequel to my July 2015 The Honeymoon Prize. It’s set in Europe and the hero is a prince! I’m having a lot of fun with it! I don’t know the title yet.
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Links to Melissa’s website, blog, books, etc.
Website: http://www.melissamcclone.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MelissaMcCloneBooks
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com
Amazon Purchase Link:
http://www.amazon.com/Mistletoe-Wedding-Montana-Born-Christmas-ebook/dp/B00NPMPNE8
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BE SURE TO COME BACK to read more about Melissa, her new release, and an excerpt from MISTLETOE WEDDING, a Marietta Christmas, on Wednesday’s Karen’s Killer Book Bench. Happy Reading!
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**SPECIAL GIVEAWAY**: Melissa is giving away a $10 Amazon gift card, Socks, Santa bandana, 2015 horse datebook, pen, nail file, candy, autographed FIREFIGHTER UNDER THE MISTLETOE, recipe card & gingerbread cookie cutter, post-it notepad, bookmark to one lucky winner who comments on her **Author Peek** Interview or Killer Book Bench blogs. Don’t miss this chance to read Melissa’s new story. Thanks, Melissa, for sharing your newest release with us!
