Author of Until Darkness Comes (Redemption Series)
and Bonded in Exile
and Bonded in Exile
Interviewing Melynda Price, author of Bonded in Exile
and Until Darkness Comes, was such a pleasure. In this author interview that was exchanged (mainly) through
emails since my computer is still busted, the author had taken me through an interesting ride to her world as an author and as a regular person, how she handles her work, her family, and more.
SittieCates: Could you give me three to five particular words that would best describe you as an author? As a person?
SittieCates: Could you give me three to five particular words that would best describe you as an author? As a person?
Melynda Price: As an author, I would describe myself as creative, dedicated and
entertaining. As a person, I’d describe myself as loyal, loving and
hardworking. At least, that’s how I hope others would describe me. J
SittieCates: I'm sure they would, Melynda. J Anyway, could
you tell us how you fell in love with writing romance or paranormal stories? Why did you opt
to write those types of stories? Was this type of fiction your initial
interest? Or did you have another type of writing genre (horror/comedy/children’s
stories/etc.) that you were interested in?
Melynda Price: I fell in love with writing while editing a book for a friend of
mine. I write paranormal because the idea of creating a world where the only
rule is to make the unbelievable believable is both fun and exciting for me.
I’ve always been a romantic at heart, so I’ve never tried to write anything
else, but I do like to weave suspense into my novels. I write stories with an
underlying theme of good vs. evil, so the stakes are always pretty high, and my
antagonists can be pretty nasty characters.
SittieCates: That's interesting. In
your bio at your official website, you’ve mentioned that you’ve always been
fascinated with angels and their roles in our lives. What prompted this deep
fascination for angels? And could you recall when did this fascination start?
Melynda Price: Even as I child, I was fascinated with angels—how they’ve
impacted our history and the world around us we cannot see.
SittieCates: I see. I understand that your inspiration to write your Until Darkness Comes (Redemption Series) was born after
you’ve read the Book of Enoch. Was there a crucial part in that book that
triggered that interest? If so, could you tell me more about that?
was born after
you’ve read the Book of Enoch. Was there a crucial part in that book that
triggered that interest? If so, could you tell me more about that?
Melynda Price: The Book of Enoch never made it into the Bible, so its validity
is completely unfounded, but nevertheless, it’s a fascinating story of how
fallen angels came to earth and took human wives—the daughters of Cain. It
claims children born of these unions were called Nephilim, and they were
inherently evil. The book claims that these fallen angels taught humans many
secrets of the earth, such as the use of medicinal herbs. The fallen angels’
defiance and wickedness angered God, and soon the world became evil, until
there was only one pure bloodline left, Noah’s, and to rid the earth of this
evil, a flood was sent... Hence, the story of Noah and the Ark.
SittieCates: I’ve
noticed that you write beautiful and vivid descriptions of the characters and
events of the story. How did you train yourself to do that? Was there an author
who served as your role model for this type of beautiful and descriptive
writing?
Melynda Price: Thank you. J I
try to bring my characters to life through vivid description, but it’s their
dialogue that I think helps carve their individual personalities the most. I
hate filler; as a reader it bores me, so I naturally write fast-paced, voice-driven
novels. This being said, some filler is necessary, so I try to give descriptive
details without getting too wordy. I think Lara Adrian does a great job of this
in her Midnight Breed series.
SittieCates: Thank you for that information. I'll take note of that. By the way, Melynda, I’ve
gathered that you have a different career that you’re busy with, and you have a
loving family. How do manage to keep a schedule for writing? Is your schedule
for writing mostly done on weekends?
Melynda Price: Fitting it all in is a huge challenge for me, particularly
finding balance. Anyone who’s a writer knows that just because the bus drops
the kids off, or it’s time to make supper, that doesn’t mean the characters are
ready to quit for the day. So often, the story writes itself, and if I don’t
get it down right at that time, it’s nearly impossible to go back later and try
to remember it. So, I do a lot of “just a minute” or “I’ll be there in a second,”
and my family does a lot of eye-rolling, lol J But, they’re supportive and they understand, for the most part,
and sometimes I do just have to walk away from my laptop. As a family, we try
to set aside a few hours every night together, to snuggle in and watch a movie
or something.
SittieCates: That's really sweet. J Could
you tell us more about your first few attempts in writing the initial drafts of
“Bonded in Exile?” What about when you were writing "Until Darkness Comes (Redemption Series)?" How
did you feel when you were writing those drafts? Did you sail to your desk with
a clear notion on what to write? How did you approach writing? Is writing easy
for you?
Melynda Price: Writing the first drafts is my favorite part. I’m a pantser, so I love to just sit down, go with it and let the story write itself. It’s the going back and layering, making sure it’s all connecting, that can be tedious
sometimes. Bonded in Exile is actually the first book in the second series I’m
writing. This series is adult, more geared toward readers who enjoy J.R. Ward’s
Black Dagger Brotherhood, or Lara Adrian’s Midnight Breed series. The plot’s a
bit more complicated, so weaving it all together has been challenging.
My
Redemption series, Until Darkness Comes- Book 1, is sweet enough to appeal to
YA and adults. This was my first novel, so as I wrote it, and the others in
that series, I kept growing as a writer, so I’d go back and rewrite it. I think
I re-wrote that book at least six times.
SittieCates: Aside
from the books that you’ve written and published recently, were there earlier
works of writing that you would like to share with us that you had also
published (at schools or such)?
Melynda Price: Until Darkness Comes is
my first book. I don’t have earlier works because I worked and reworked this
novel until I had it exactly how I wanted it and ready for submission.
I’m
currently editing the second book in my Redemption series, Shades of Darkness.
I’d love to share a few chapters of it, but the story is a continuation of the
first book, and I’d be a huge spoiler alert, lol J
SittieCates: lol! For that, I guess, another interview would be necessary. J
By the way, often, they
say, in writing, a part of the author is revealed. Do you agree with that? For
“Until Darkness Comes” and “Bonded in Exile,” which part/s of you would you say
was/were (somehow) shared within the stories?
Melynda Price: My sense of humor and sarcasm comes through in some of these
characters. People who know me say when they’re reading dialogue between my
characters, sometimes, they can see me in them. I think it’s funny to hear that because some of my characters can be pretty extreme.
SittieCates: For your books, “Until Darkness Comes” and “Bonded in Exile,” what is/are your favorite part/s
when you were writing these stories? Why?
Melynda Price: In Until Darkness Comes,
one of my favorite parts is when Olivia realizes who, and what, Liam really is.
I think they’ve got great chemistry and that scene has it all—sensual tension,
drama, heat… I also enjoyed writing Max throughout the book, and bringing his
sarcasm and wit to life. For Bonded in Exile, I’d have to say one of my favorite parts is
the shower scene where Silas tells Emily he loves her. It’s hot and romantic.
Unfortunately, it will be a while before Bonded is released. It’s in the
editing and beta stages before submission. However, I do post weekly excerpts
from this novel every Sunday on my blog, www.melyndaprice.com.
I’m really excited to see how many people are following and loving it.
SittieCates: We’re
curious. Who is Melynda Price when you’re not busy writing books?
Melynda Price: When I’m not writing, I’m busy raising two fantastic children,
ages 17 and 11. That keeps me busy, and as summer quickly approaches, I’m
looking forward to many poolside hours of fun in the sun with my kids. J
SittieCates: That's lovely! What
advice could you give to those who would like to write paranormal and romance stories with
angels and dark forces in conflict?
Melynda Price: Make the stakes high, and go beyond just the hero and the heroine.
Research and study our Biblical history. It’s fascinating. Then use those
events to create a foundation that you can weave into your story. It helps
create realism and achieves the greatest goal for a paranormal author, making
the unbelievable believable.
SittieCates: Wonderfully said! Anything else you'd like to add for our blog readers and followers?
Melynda Price: Thank you, SittieCates, for hosting me on your blog
today, and to everyone who stopped by. I’m offering a giveaway for Until
Darkness Comes. To enter, visit my website, www.melyndaprice.com, “follow me” and
then send me an email Melynda@MelyndaPrice.com
with your contact information so I can let you know if you win. Good Luck! J
SittieCates: You're most welcome, Melynda Price. It was such a pleasure to talk with you. Thank you, too, for spending the time to do this interview with me. I'm sure that lots of people would visit your site and check out that giveaway. Good luck to the person who would win. J
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