Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hi! My name is Melanie Tays. I am an author of young adult speculative fiction. I have been writing for as long as I can remember, but I am just now publishing my first novel. It is a young adult dystopian novel called Wall of Fire. It is the first of a trilogy, all of which will be released over the two three months.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Wall of Fire is a dystopian novel about a post-apocalyptic world where everyone has fled to protected dome cities and a new societal structure has been developed with to allow the inhabitants to survive. It was originally inspired by the idea of a game that determines the course of your life, however it has evolved quite a bit since the original concept.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I read a lot of fiction and non-fiction books, but my favorite genre is definitely young adult dystopian novels such as The Declaration by Gemma Malley, The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins, and Delirium by Lauren Oliver, to name just a few.
What are you working on now?
Right now, I am completing the final book in the Wall of fire trilogy. I also recently completed a companion novella to the series which is the story of another of the dome societies. That book is called Sanctuary, and can be downloaded for free on www.MelanieTays.com
Do you have any advice for new authors?
The best book I ever read on the topic of storytelling is Wired For Story by Lisa Cron, and I HIGHLY recommend that to any writer (fiction especially, but non-fiction, as well). I also recommend writing consistently, even when you don’t “feel like it”. Just pushing through the challenging times and writing is usually where inspiration strikes. You can always improve things in editing.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Once I complete the Wall of Fire Series, I’m going to keep writing. I will likely rewrite some of the unpublished novels I wrote in the past that I’ve had years to think about and am excited to revisit and bring to life. I am currently deciding between a couple of different options, all are young adult with science fiction elements.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Hmm… Well, the smart answer would be books about survival, but what fun is that? Does a box set count as one book, or is that cheating? My answer would probably change depending on the day you ask, but I suppose I would bring Delirium, Harry Potter, Ender’s Game, and the Bible.
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