Ask the Author: Melissa Simmons
Answered Questions (4)
Melissa Simmons
I will go back and read what I have so far, change the music I'm listening to, consult my outline and sometimes I will just get up and walk away. I try to remember where I'm trying to go with the scene and if I can't get it to flow, I'll consult my co-author and we sometimes change our course just a bit. For example, when we started 'Ensnared', we thought the story would be totally from Patrick's point of view but as we wrote, we realized there was something missing because I had the hardest time getting through each chapter.
And so, we decided Murphy deserved to have a little of his story told, too. Things went so much smoother once we figured out that's what we were missing, it was amazing.
And so, we decided Murphy deserved to have a little of his story told, too. Things went so much smoother once we figured out that's what we were missing, it was amazing.
Melissa Simmons
Don't doubt yourself or your abilities-if you love to write and you have a story to tell, write it. If you suddenly think its a giant pile of crap-do NOT toss it before letting someone with a clearer head read it first. (You'd be surprised how awful you can be to yourself during rereads.)
Also, find people you can trust to give you HONEST feedback on your work. People who will push you to be the best storyteller you can be.
Don't ever stop reading, no matter how busy you get.
And write because you were born to, not for the paycheck. Put your heart into it because believe me, it shows if you don't.
Also, find people you can trust to give you HONEST feedback on your work. People who will push you to be the best storyteller you can be.
Don't ever stop reading, no matter how busy you get.
And write because you were born to, not for the paycheck. Put your heart into it because believe me, it shows if you don't.
Melissa Simmons
Currently, Allana and I are working on a few projects. First of all is book 2 in the Dolan Prophecies Series, Illumination. We're hoping to have that out before the new year.
We're also taking part in a couple anthologies and we're super excited about that. First, is the Howl Halloween Anthology with a group of AMAZING authors-we will be including a prequel novella from our upcoming Titian Twins Trilogy titled 'Inception'.
And last is the Write to Rescue Anthology through SideStreet Cookie Publishing, that will be releasing in November 2014 and will contain a prequel short story to our upcoming Gumshoes & Grifters Series titled 'The Disturbance'.
We're also taking part in a couple anthologies and we're super excited about that. First, is the Howl Halloween Anthology with a group of AMAZING authors-we will be including a prequel novella from our upcoming Titian Twins Trilogy titled 'Inception'.
And last is the Write to Rescue Anthology through SideStreet Cookie Publishing, that will be releasing in November 2014 and will contain a prequel short story to our upcoming Gumshoes & Grifters Series titled 'The Disturbance'.
Melissa Simmons
I was on my way home from a book signing at Oblong Book Store in Rhinebeck, NY; which might be one of the nicest stores I've ever been in. We had just met Cassandra Clare, Holly Black and Sarah Rees Brennan and I was buzzing with all this positive energy and I started thinking and talking to my friend who had gone with me. She's an author as well, she was just writing her debut novel then and I said to her, "What if we destroyed the planet with pollution and then had a nuclear war and the Fae came in and ..." and that's the bare bones of what Allana and I decided to use to craft the universe for The Dolan Prophecies Series.
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more