Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve currently released my 8th book entitled, New Sensation. It is book 3 in my Love and Lush series. I’ve always been a strong writer with an active imagination, but it wasn’t until I turned fifty that I began to take my writing seriously and want to make a go at being an author.
I live in Florida currently and have a grown-up daughter. I started doing TNR with feral cats after I noticed my neighborhood had a huge problem with ferals. I have socialized many, found homes for kittens, and luckily, I have a big backyard that they can roam in.
I’m a huge fangirl of 80’s music and a lot of my writing inspiration comes from the rock stars I listen to. I love photography and dancing. I collect Funko Pops from my favorite tv shows, The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and The Mandalorian.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest novel is entitled New Sensation. The title comes from a song by Aussie musicians, INXS. The first book in the series, Eternally Wild (an INXS song lyric) was inspired by a dream I had about meeting the ghost of their late lead singer, Michael Hutchence. I thought it would be just a “One and done” situation but then got an idea for a sequel which became Heaven Sent (also an INXS song title).
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Apparently, it’s very unusual not to write to market. I’ve been told to find the ”secret” formula for a particular genre and write that formula in order to sell books. But I’ve never done that which is why my books can cross over into many genres. Yes, they are romance, but I put a ton of drama and heartache into them. I also tend to kill people off. Oops!
What authors, or books have influenced you?
In my late teens and twenties, I read a lot of historical romance. (I even met Fabio once, great guy!) But at that time, I wasn’t even considering writing my own novels, even though I had one that I’d written when I was eighteen. I grew up reading Stephen King. I love Jonathan Kellerman’s books, and I love reading books about the psychology of serial killers, but I have no desire to write horror or mystery, or anything about killers. I’ve always been a voracious reader though and feel every book has worked its way into my psyche in some way and acts as an influence.
What are you working on now?
I currently have four novels I’ve started. My day job wipes me out mentally, and I’m finding it more difficult to get motivated to write. I’m hoping to complete some of those projects this summer.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’ve not found a best yet. I try to be everywhere and engaging on social media. But I honestly knew nothing about promoting until I got the rights of my first four books back from my original publisher and began doing things on my own. My best investment has been with the Kindle Rocket program. It taught me so much. I honestly thought my publisher was handling these types of things and they weren’t. I finally began seeing sales once I became an independent author.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write every day, even if it’s only a sentence or two. I used to live by this and lately it’s fallen by the wayside. If you get stuck, go back and read what you have from the start. That sometimes sparks something in me to continue on.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“If you can’t say somethin nice, don’t say nothin at all.” from Bambi
What are you reading now?
Nothing. I’ve spent the last few weeks editing my new release. Over and over again!
What’s next for you as a writer?
Working on the four projects I’ve started but not yet completed.
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?
Story to story: The Official Biography of INXS (can read over and over
The Potlatch Family by Evelyn Sibley Lampman (my fave as a preteen)
Desert Angel by Charlie Price (suspenseful young adult novel I loved)
Before we were yours Lisa Windgate (a favorite of ones I’ve recently read)
Author Websites and Profiles
MELINDA LEE Website
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