Ask the Author: Melanie Summers
Answered Questions (7)
Melanie Summers
Hi Toni!
I am SO sorry for the tardy reply. I rarely log into Goodreads on account of it terrifying me. Thank you so much for your question, and your kind words about my books! It means the world to me (especially the word 'thrilled'! Eeek! I'm excited).
As to writer's block, I would say yes, from time to time. I am almost never at a loss for story ideas (in fact, I always have several just waiting for me to have time to write them). I do, however, get stumped while I'm writing sometimes, and I'm not sure what direction a story should go. This is almost exclusively for one of the following reasons:
1) I need to do more research - about the character's career, the location, or some other aspect of the story because I'm missing necessary information to make the story realistic. Somehow research manages to get me out of most holes I dig for myself. For example, in my current work in progress, I needed to look up 'how to use a spear gun,' and when I watched a video on it, it gave me a great idea (the character has to use it improperly in order to move the story forward).
2) There is something wrong with what I've written already. This happens when my characters lack motivation, don't have clear goals, the stakes aren't obvious, or they do something that is 'out of character' for them. I know it has happened when I find myself avoiding my desk and doing things like cleaning the house or weeding during my writing time. That's my signal that I have to go back to the start and figure out why the story isn't working. I fix it and can move on again.
After 11 years of writing, I've learned to recognize the signs of writer's block quicker and know how to deal with it. Following my gut is always the answer. When I ignore that little voice in the back of my mind telling me something is wrong, it leads to procrastinating, and even worse, writing more of what isn't working so that I have to go back and fix a lot more pages.
I hope that answers your question! Feel free to reach out at mjsummersbooks@gmail.com anytime. I see my emails much faster.
All the best to you and yours,
Melanie
I am SO sorry for the tardy reply. I rarely log into Goodreads on account of it terrifying me. Thank you so much for your question, and your kind words about my books! It means the world to me (especially the word 'thrilled'! Eeek! I'm excited).
As to writer's block, I would say yes, from time to time. I am almost never at a loss for story ideas (in fact, I always have several just waiting for me to have time to write them). I do, however, get stumped while I'm writing sometimes, and I'm not sure what direction a story should go. This is almost exclusively for one of the following reasons:
1) I need to do more research - about the character's career, the location, or some other aspect of the story because I'm missing necessary information to make the story realistic. Somehow research manages to get me out of most holes I dig for myself. For example, in my current work in progress, I needed to look up 'how to use a spear gun,' and when I watched a video on it, it gave me a great idea (the character has to use it improperly in order to move the story forward).
2) There is something wrong with what I've written already. This happens when my characters lack motivation, don't have clear goals, the stakes aren't obvious, or they do something that is 'out of character' for them. I know it has happened when I find myself avoiding my desk and doing things like cleaning the house or weeding during my writing time. That's my signal that I have to go back to the start and figure out why the story isn't working. I fix it and can move on again.
After 11 years of writing, I've learned to recognize the signs of writer's block quicker and know how to deal with it. Following my gut is always the answer. When I ignore that little voice in the back of my mind telling me something is wrong, it leads to procrastinating, and even worse, writing more of what isn't working so that I have to go back and fix a lot more pages.
I hope that answers your question! Feel free to reach out at mjsummersbooks@gmail.com anytime. I see my emails much faster.
All the best to you and yours,
Melanie
Melanie Summers
Hi Sue!
Thank you so much for your question! I just saw it now and am honoured that you enjoyed Abigail's story enough to reach out. I have a vague idea for a sequel to The After Wife, but haven't managed to fully form the story just yet. I'll definitely put my mind to work and see where it takes me.
Wishing you all the best,
Melanie
Thank you so much for your question! I just saw it now and am honoured that you enjoyed Abigail's story enough to reach out. I have a vague idea for a sequel to The After Wife, but haven't managed to fully form the story just yet. I'll definitely put my mind to work and see where it takes me.
Wishing you all the best,
Melanie
Melanie Summers
Hi Meg,
Thanks so much for your question. I'm honoured that you enjoyed the book so much that you want to listen to it already. I've sent a message to my audiobook producers to ask when it'll be out, as I'm really not sure either.
I'll be back to you asap!
Melanie
Thanks so much for your question. I'm honoured that you enjoyed the book so much that you want to listen to it already. I've sent a message to my audiobook producers to ask when it'll be out, as I'm really not sure either.
I'll be back to you asap!
Melanie
Melanie Summers
Hi Em,
Thank you very much for taking the time to reach out! I am SO sorry for the delay in getting back to you! I didn't see your message until just now. (I'm a little scared of Goodreads so I don't log on as often as I should).
Anyway, Beach Please is available on Amazon in both e-book and print. It's also available in print at Barnes and Nobel. If you go to this link, it'll take you to the store at which you want to shop: https://mybook.to/beachplease
All the best to you and yours,
Melanie
Thank you very much for taking the time to reach out! I am SO sorry for the delay in getting back to you! I didn't see your message until just now. (I'm a little scared of Goodreads so I don't log on as often as I should).
Anyway, Beach Please is available on Amazon in both e-book and print. It's also available in print at Barnes and Nobel. If you go to this link, it'll take you to the store at which you want to shop: https://mybook.to/beachplease
All the best to you and yours,
Melanie
Melanie Summers
Hi Meg,
Thank you so much for your note! I apologize for the delay in getting back to you. I'm a little scared of Goodreads, so I tend to not log on very often. All of my books are either on audio or are in production at Tantor Media. I hope that they'll be out a.s.a.p.
Take care and all the best,
Melanie
Thank you so much for your note! I apologize for the delay in getting back to you. I'm a little scared of Goodreads, so I tend to not log on very often. All of my books are either on audio or are in production at Tantor Media. I hope that they'll be out a.s.a.p.
Take care and all the best,
Melanie
Melanie Summers
Hi Icy,
Thank you so much for the question! I absolutely will write another series. :) Right now I'm working on the Accidentally in Love Stories with Whitney Dineen. SO fun!
I'm wrapping up the Crazy Royal Love series as well, and will be adding books to my Paradise Bay series. And then...who knows where my next crop of characters will live? Not me, but I can't wait to meet them. :)
All the best,
Melanie
Thank you so much for the question! I absolutely will write another series. :) Right now I'm working on the Accidentally in Love Stories with Whitney Dineen. SO fun!
I'm wrapping up the Crazy Royal Love series as well, and will be adding books to my Paradise Bay series. And then...who knows where my next crop of characters will live? Not me, but I can't wait to meet them. :)
All the best,
Melanie
Melanie Summers
I'm currently working on The Suite Life: a Paradise Bay Romantic Comedy, Book 3. It's the tale of an ultra-rich playboy who winds up working as a bellboy at the Paradise Bay Resort where he falls for a hard-working single mum (who happens to be his boss).
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