Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Author Mel Massey Stops By


I had the chance to talk books and writing with author Mel Massey; take a peek at our interview, excerpts from her books, and what's coming soon from Mel's world!


Chrystal: You have written in a couple of different genres, horror and fantasy. Which is your favorite genre to write in and why?
 
Mel: I think fantasy is my first love. I enjoy writing horror, and I use elements of horror in the fantasy series, but I love creating the fantasy elements. In Urban Fantasy settings, I’m able to weave both horror and fantasy together because, to the innocent, wouldn’t fantasy come to life be a horror? I think in some respects, yes.
 
Chrystal: Your latest book, Decker, is a companion to your Earth's Magick/Book 1: Earth novel, correct? Why did you choose to write about that particular character?
 
Mel: Yes, Decker is the first of the four companion novels to the series. Originally, the series was simply going to be the five books. However, Decker, Theo, and Vasha all became reader favorites and I was struck with the idea that I could tell each of their stories in turn. Decker and his brothers are over 2,000 years old, so they have rich and interesting tales to tell. Boy are they interesting!
 
Chrystal: Would you say that your books are plot driven, or character driven?
 
Mel: Oooh….that’s tough to answer. The main character’s; Mela, Wyatt, Decker, Theo, and Sammuele – All are what makes this a story. Without them, this would have been a sad, short tale. With such a mix of characters, you never now who’s going to do what. So – character driven.
 
 
Chrystal: Tell us a bit about your writing process. I know that sounds cliché, but...do you have a specific process or do you write as the mood takes you? Is there a requirement for your writing, such as a quiet location, a certain area of your home or office...? Do you follow an established writing routine?
 
Mel: I try to write everyday. I have no real set time, just whenever the mood hits me. But my process before I begin is pretty exact. I never start a book without outlining it on paper first. I outline every chapter and spend a lot of time scribbling in the notebook, rearranging plot points, long before I ever open a new document on the computer. I can write just about anywhere as long as I have music playing. I prefer the Pandora station, Classical Music for Studying.
 
Chrystal: People are always asking authors this question also, but I have to know: where do you get your ideas? Do you do any prewriting, note taking, or extensive research before beginning a new book or story?
 
Mel: Like I said, I outline the story before I start to write. After I do that, I look over the outline and go over any magick spells, rituals, or whatevers that happen and create those. As a practicing Pagan myself, I have loads of resources go through in order to create the magick in the series.
 
Chrystal: How long would you say it typically takes you to write a book?
 
Mel: First draft…maybe a month. After that, I set it aside and read a book. Sounds funny but I try to leave my imaginary world for a bit and visit another before revisiting it. It helps with the objectivity when rereading it for the first round of edits. After that maybe another month or two.
 
Chrystal: How much of your own knowledge and experience is infused into your characters?
Mel: Lots of my Pagan practices are infused into the story. The characters all have a little of me in them.  Isn’t that the way for all of us who write?  It’s a cathartic process.
 
Chrystal: Talk a bit about your family and friends. What do they think about your writing? Do you ever use them as models for characters, and if so, do they recognize themselves?
 
Mel: Everyone in my family is really supportive. My husband is always the first to read my book, before editors or anyone else. He’s a pretty big fan. Although, he did threaten me with divorce if anything happens to Wyatt. I need to make sure he stays safe, eh?  My eldest thinks it’s very cool and my youngest could care less. I have amazing friends who do get characters named after them on occasion but for the most part, it’s my Street Team who get the really cool parts. They help all of that behind the scenes. So, the Street Team (named the Elementai Secret Society) all know who they are named for in the books and get a say in minor aspects of that character. Total ESS member perk.
 
Chrystal: If you could choose one famous author to learn from (living or dead), to pick their brain and get great writing advice from, who would that be? Would you let them read your books and give you feedback?
 
Mel: Anne Rice. Hands down, that is one classy lady. I admire her on so many levels, I wouldn’t know where to begin to explain her awesomeness. Of course I would let her read my writing, but I’d chain smoke the entire time.
 
Chrystal: What will be next for you? What are you working on now?
 
Mel: I’m currently writing the next book in the Earth’s Magick series, Earth’s Magick Book 2 ~Water~. I’m hoping for that to be ready for readers by winter.
 
 
 
 
A Little About the Author:
 
Mel Massey is a native Texan but has called California, Florida and Missouri home. Mel went to college in California and studied Cultural Anthropology where her field of study had a huge impact on the creation of the Earth's Magick series. Mel is also politically active and a (sometimes loud) supporter for equal rights, non-GMO products, animal rights and against the generally obnoxious politician.
 
Mel can be found tweeting nonsense or having hilarious discussions with readers on Facebook. Occasionally, she leaves those particular vices and writes about magick, witches, monsters and all the lovely dark things lurking in the shadows.
 

 

 


 

Excerpt from Earth’s Magick Book 1 ~Earth~

 

Mela heard a raspy, deep voice speaking a language she couldn’t understand. The echoes of it carried in the darkness. She tried to decide if what she heard was real or a part of a dream. She knew it was in the middle of the night because she could feel the stillness of the world as her mind fought to join it. As she became more aware of the world around her, she also noticed a heaviness on the foot of her bed.

Slowly, she opened her eyes. The dim light of the moon cast an eerie glow through the window onto her bed. Her heart pounded in her chest and her breath came fast as her eyes tried to see. Squatting on the foot of her bed was the Old Woman. In the dim light, Mela saw the tangled hair that framed her hunched form.

As Mela became fully awake, the woman tilted her head to the side, considering her. Her rhythmic speech stopped and they briefly shared a moment of silence. The realization that she was completely awake and the scary woman was crouched on her bed filled her with panic. She took a deep breath so she could release the scream that had been building up inside, but caught the familiar fragrance of the freshly cut herbs lying next to her bed.

The smell calmed her a little. That one moment of calm allowed another emotion to take hold. Anger. What was this creature doing in her room? Why was she here tormenting her night after night? Her rage bubbled to the surface and battled the fear until she felt numb. As the seconds passed, Mela stayed still, desperate for a way to save herself.

The woman’s voice broke the pregnant silence. Mela still couldn’t understand her, but the words the woman spoke sounded suspiciously like a question. The frightful head tilted slowly to the side again. Mela reached out, grasped the herbs in her hand, and held them close.

She sat up and leaned as far away from the woman as possible with her back to her headboard.

“Go away…” Mela’s voice came out hoarse and broken. She was angry but her voice betrayed her fear.

Again, the woman rasped her guttural question and crawled toward her. Mela caught the scent of the woman and she gagged. She smelled of rotting flesh and dirt. Even though she was fully awake, and for the first time able to move, she didn’t know what to do.

Bear. Where was Bear? He normally slept in her room but she knew he roamed the house at night.

As if on cue, Mela heard a deep growl from the doorway. She could just make out Bear’s massive form in the shadows as he crept toward the woman. The old woman turned toward him and returned his growl with one of her own. Mela’s eyes worked hard to see in the dark and her grip on the bundle of herbs threatened to crush them. Her eyes scanned for anything near to her she could use as a weapon in case the woman reached her, or worse, might hurt Bear.

 

 


 

Excerpt from Decker:

 

Decker watched Mela as she went inside for the night. It was another late night of training and she’d done well. He smiled and thought he made a wonderful teacher if he could have her fighting like that in such a short time. He worried for her though. He watched Mela through the windows, still innocent in the eyes of a warrior, as she made her way through the house. She hadn’t taken a life yet, and until she did, she would be at a disadvantage from the part of her that mourns and feels guilt. He worried she wouldn’t be willing to and that was the thought that kept him up at night. She needed to be a killer.

She would hesitate--he could feel it. She wasn’t ready to face a real life or death fight, not yet. Until she was truly ready, he’d keep watch at night. Until he knew, without a doubt, that she would use her sword as if it were a part of her, and with no thought of the outcome, he would worry. He wondered if Wyatt would come now that the day’s training was done. Telling him stories from the past brought up many memories, and a deep longing he hadn’t known was there began to bother him.

Decker sat in his chair. It was his because he told everyone it was, and for now he rested his feet on the porch railing. Despite what he previously thought, he felt comfortable here at Mela’s home, and with his brothers. His affection for the girl was deepening every day, much to his surprise. When she moved with graceful purpose, he was so proud of her accomplishments. When she couldn’t manage to do something quick enough to suit her, he wanted to help her more. Yes, he knew he had become very fond of Mela. She was kind, but mouthy too. He liked that. She didn’t scold him often for being uncouth and she laughed at his jokes.

 

 

Fans of Mel Massey can find her books at the following links:


 


 

 

Learn more about upcoming titles and other exciting book news, plus a chance to interact with the author, on her website at www.melmassey.com



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