Can you tell us a little about yourself? I’m a perpetually happy person. I love reading, writing, family, friends, and chocolate, and it takes a hell of a lot to bring me down.
Who or what inspires you? This sounds cliche, but life inspires me. The generosity of others, unexpected kindness, music, love–they’re all inspirations. Readers inspire me to write more and write better, and aspiring authors inspire me to learn more so I can pass it on to them. Friends inspire me to be a better person and to give unabashedly, and my husband inspires me to love and be loved.
Who’s you favorite author? I have favorite books but not favorite authors (I realize this is odd). I read across genres and have so little time to read that I want to experience as many authors’ work as I can.
Do you have a favorite time or place to write? I absolutely adore my office, and I’m a creature of habit, so I take comfort in settling into my office for several hours each day. Every hour is my favorite hour to write 🙂
Do you have a favorite food or drink while you write? Um…yes… Chocolate and coffee. Yes, seriously. Then when I need real food grapes are a fave, and anything I can eat fast.
What do you do to relax? I am not very good at relaxing these days, but when I do relax I’m usually reading while sitting with my hubby, or playing Scrabble if I can wrangle someone into playing. More often, though, my relaxation is spent planning my next book.
As writers, we all have to deal with writer’s block, what do you do when that happens? Usually I do a lot of bitching an moaning 🙂 I call one of my close writing friends, take a walk, exercise, eat ice cream and chocolate and chips, and then I complain a little more. Basically clearing my head and brainstorming helps a lot.
If you could ask one question of any writer, who would it be and what would you ask? Gosh, there are so many authors that I’d like to talk with. Probably Jodi Picoult and I would like to thank her for being personable when I wrote to her in 2009 rather than ask her a question.
Now that we’ve got the easy stuff out of the way, let’s talk about your book.
Would you like to share something from you latest project with us?
My latest project is The Remington series, the third installment in the Love in Bloom series. Readers met the Remingtons in Bursting with Love, the story of Savannah Braden and Jack Remington (The Bradens series). The Remingtons are a close knit family similar to the Bradens, but the family dynamics are very different, as are the heroes and heroines. They’re younger and edgier with real-world problems, but they’re also warm, loving, and fiercely loyal. I think readers will enjoy them.
THE REMINGTONS are a 5-book steamy contemporary romance series features alpha male heroes and sexy, empowered women. They’re flawed, funny, passionate, and relatable to readers who enjoy new adult romance, contemporary romance, and women’s fiction. While each book may be read as a standalone, you might enjoy reading the entire Love in Bloom series (The Snow Sisters, The Bradens, & The Remingtons)
What genre is it? Contemporary Romance (adult and new adult crossover)
Where do you draw your artistic inspiration from? I’m very emotional and also very real-life oriented, and the things that I draw inspiration from are real-life situations – people, issues, families, feelings (good, bad, healthy and not).
Of all your characters, who is your favorite? That’s like asking me who my favorite child is. I don’t think I can answer that because there are things about each of them that I adore.
Do you use an outline or do you let the story emerge as it goes along? I am so bad at outlining that I run from them like a rebellious child. I always try. I start out with a general idea of where my story is headed and how it will end, but during the writing process the characters drive the story, and I often end up in a very different place than I anticipated.
Are you traditionally or self-published? Self-published.
What made you pick that route? I’m a little bit of a control freak when it comes to my writing. I want to get my work out to readers quicker than traditional publishers can keep up with, and I like my stories to move in the direction that I feel is right for each character. I work with a competent team of editors who have traditional publishing house experience, and feel confident that I am bringing the best stories I am capable of writing to my audience.
What has been your biggest challenge? I think the biggest challenge has been striking a balance between family and writing. Working from home has many advantages, but it also comes with challenges, and pulling away from a scene when I’m right in the middle of writing it can be difficult.
If you had one professional wish, what would it be? To be able to write until the day I no longer breathe.
That wasn’t so bad was it? But before we go, do you have any last words of wisdom to offer those reading this? Thank you D. John for sharing your time with me today. To aspiring authors, don’t give up and don’t doubt your abilities. Keep writing and reading and honing your craft. To readers, thank you for taking a chance on my work and thank you for reaching out to me on social media and email. Please keep it up!
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NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR
Melissa Foster is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling and award-winning author. She writes contemporary romance, contemporary women’s fiction, romantic suspense, thrillers, and historical fiction with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. Her books have been recommended by USA Today’s book blog, Hagerstown Magazine, The Patriot, and several other print venues. She is the founder of the Women’s Nest, a social and support community for women, the World Literary Café. When she’s not writing, Melissa helps authors navigate the publishing industry through her author training programs on Fostering Success. Melissa has been published in Calgary’s Child Magazine, the Huffington Post, and Women Business Owners magazine.
Melissa hosts an annual Aspiring Authors contest for children, and has painted and donated several murals to The Hospital for Sick Children in Washington, DC. Melissa’s interests include her family, reading, writing, painting, friends, helping others see the positive side of life, and visiting Cape Cod.
Melissa is available to chat with book clubs and welcomes comments and emails from her readers. Visit Melissa on The Women’s Nest or her personal website.
Melissa Foster is a New York Time and USA Today bestselling and award-winning author. She writes contemporary romance, new adult, contemporary women's fiction, suspense, and historical fiction with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page.