Author Interview: Melissa Douthit

Melissa has stopped by for an interview:

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

In 2007 when my favorite author passed away.  Since 2004, I had been writing notes for a story I wanted to do, but after my favorite author passed, that’s when I started.  It was in September of 2007.

   

How many jobs did you have before you became a writer?

Many.  I still have my day job as a software engineer.  Writing is a hobby.

  

What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk?

I don’t write in chronological order.  I write when a scene forms in my mind.  It could be a scene from the end of the story or the beginning.

  

Where do you get your ideas or inspiration for your characters?

Sometimes from dreams.  Sometimes from when I’m listening to music.  Other times, I have no idea where they come from.

How do you decide what you want to write about?

I don’t really.  The stories just come to me at weird times.  When I’m driving in my car and listening to music.  Or when I wake up and remember a dream.  Or sometimes when I’m watching a movie or reading a book, a character or a scene will pop in my head.  That’s when I start writing.  Sometimes I don’t even know the whole story when I begin writing the scene or where the scene fits into the novel.  The story kind of shapes itself.

What books have most influenced your life?

The Call of the Wild by Jack London, Cannery Row by Steinbeck, Lord of the Rings by Tolkien, and Wheel of Time by Jordan.

What are you reading right now?

Dune Messiah.

What do you like to do when you are not writing?

I like to cook and listen to audiobooks with my Coonhound lying nearby hoping to get a morsel of food, which he usually does.

What is your favorite comfort food?

Soup or stew on a snowy night.

What do you think makes a good story?

Mystery, intrigue, a good plot, and good characters that have an entertaining dynamic among them.

  

Who would you consider your favorite author and why?

My favorite author is the author whose book I’m reading at the time.  Right now, it’s Frank Herbert.

Fun random questions:

•   dogs or cats?

•   Dogs

•   Coffee or tea?

•   Coffee

•   Dark or milk chocolate?

•   Milk

•   Rocks or flowers?

•   Flowers

•   Night or day?

•   Night

•   Favorite color?

•   Blue

•   Crayons or markers?

•   Crayons

•   Pens or pencils?

•   Pens

Check out her and her books here: 
Melissa on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Melissa-Douthit/164124433645392

Melissa on Twitter: https://twitter.com/melissadouthit

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