Celebrate Women's History Month

Ask the Author: Melanie Dobson

“I'll be answering questions this week about historical fiction for Goodread's historical fiction week. ” Melanie Dobson

Answered Questions (10)

Sort By:
Loading big
An error occurred while sorting questions for author Melanie Dobson.
When will you be coming out with your next book?
Melanie Dobson Hi Beth, Thanks for your note. The Winter Rose was released in January this year, and my next time-slip novel will be coming out in 2023. The title and specific pub date are still to be determined, but it should be published by next fall.
flag
Hi Melanie. I love your books so much and always eager for the next one to come out. Can you please tell me if The Magic Portal is for adults or is it a children's series? Thank you.
Melanie Dobson Hi Barb, Thanks so much for your note and for checking about this. The Magic Portal is my first series for kids. My next adult novel (The Winter Rose) will release in January.

Blessings, ~Melanie
flag
I appreciate winning "The Curator's Daughter" in the Valentine's Day Giveaway! How long did it take you to do the research for this book? I put a review on Goodreads.
Melanie Dobson Thanks so much for reviewing it! The story stewed in my head for a long time, but I actively researched it for about a month before writing it including my trips to Martha's Vineyard, Washington DC, and Nuremberg.
flag
Melanie - thank you! I received "The Curator's Daughter" in today's mail. Did I win this book as part of the Valentine's Day Giveaway?
Melanie Dobson Hi Linda, Yes, you won that. I hope you enjoy the story!
flag
Hello Melanie! My mom and I have been reading your books for a little while now, and we have enjoyed every single one. My favorite would have to be "Memories of Glass", and my mom's is "Enchanted Isle". What would you say is your favorite writing technique?
Melanie Dobson Hi Makayla! Thanks so much for your note. I'm just thrilled that you and your mom are able to read my books together. I enjoyed writing both Memories of Glass and Enchanted Isle! Enchanted Isle happens to be my daughter's favorite story. :) Perhaps because she is just like Jenny. Let's see...my favorite writing techniques are probably conflict and description. My desire is to take readers on a journey with me to a setting either in the present or past, and I enjoy doing that most through tension and sensory information.
flag
Hi Melanie, My names Brogan and I am currently reading 'Hidden Among The Stars'. I am enjoying it SO much, I simply adore it! My question for you is how did you get the inspiration for the story and the characters? Have a lovely day!
Melanie Dobson Hi Brogan! I'm so glad you are enjoying Hidden Among the Stars!! Thanks for letting me know. It was a fifteen-year journey for me to write this novel. You can find a bit more about the "story behind the story" here:

http://melaniedobson.com/research/res...
flag
When will you be coming out with another book?
Melanie Dobson Hi Beth, Thanks for your note! I will be re-releasing one of my older novels in the next month or so on Kindle (The Journey, formerly Where The Trail Ends), but my next original release will be out in September. That's a WWII time-slip novel called Memories of Glass.
flag
Hi just finished reading Chateau of Secrets.Enjoyed it very much.But was very disappointed about the catholic flavor instead of christianty inthe book?Had not noticed it in previous book that i read.We don not need the rosary or Mary to pray to Jesus who died for all our sins and can now go directly to him the author and finisher of our faith
Melanie Dobson Hi Debby. I'm so glad you enjoyed this story! Thanks for letting me know. I'm sorry you were disappointed though with the Catholic themes in the book. This was a historical novel based on the life of a woman named Genevieve Menke. She was a devout Catholic woman who grew up in France and I tried to be as faithful as possible to her and her beliefs. If you're interested, you can find more of her story here: http://melaniedobson.blogspot.com/201... . I'm grateful as well that we have the incredible opportunity of being able to go directly to God with our prayers and our thanksgiving today! It is a tremendous blessing.

Thanks again, ~Melanie
flag
How do you deal with writer’s block?
Melanie Dobson Before I start writing each day, I edit my work from the day before. This puts me right into my fictional world and into the flow of the story before I start writing new scenes. When I start a new story, I have to remind myself this is a ROUGH draft. I have to start someplace, and then I can edit, edit, edit (or delete if necessary :) ).
flag
Hi Melanie, will there be any more books of the oregon trail and the characters in that historical book? I love to read of settlers and the hardships and how they persevered.
Melanie Dobson Hi Paula! Thanks for your question. I've been part of two books about the Oregon Trail. One was my novel "Where the Trail Ends" and the other was a collection of stories (Oregon Trail Romance Collection). Right now, there aren't any plans for a sequel to either of those, but I'd love to write again about the Oregon Trail one day!
flag
Melanie Dobson
1,772 followers
To ask Melanie Dobson a question, please sign up.

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