Author Bio:
Melissa Bowersock is an eclectic, award-winning author who writes in a variety of fiction and non-fiction genres: biography, contemporary, western, action, romance, fantasy, paranormal and spiritual. She has been both traditionally and independently published and is a regular contributor to the superblog Indies Unlimited. She lives in a small community in northern Arizona with her husband and an Airedale terrier. She also writes under the pen name Amber Flame.
What inspires you to write?
Everything! I have gotten ideas from dreams, music, TV shows, movies, conversations with friends, even seeing people on the street as I drive by. Ideas can come from literally anywhere. Many don’t ever evolve beyond the “what if..?” stage, but some will percolate in my brain and gather substance until I have to start writing them down.
Tell us about your writing process.
Once I get the kernel of an idea, I start jotting down notes about the main plot line and the characters. I like to let the ideas ferment in my brain a while before I actually start writing. Once I do start writing, it’s a very convoluted, undisciplined process. I’ve never been any good at forcing myself to sit down for x number of hours a day or writing x number of words. I might write for an hour or two, take a break, work on my blog or a guest blog, do some research, weigh in on some writers’ forums online, search for cover images. It might not look like a linear writing process, but it all goes into the mix. If I get stuck on a section of a book, this kind of breaking off to do other things seems to help break up the logjam and when I go back to it, it feels fresh and I can charge ahead again. I guess my process is not so much from Point A to Point B but more like Point A to Point M to Point D to Point Q, etc. At any rate, it works for me.
For Fiction Writers: Do you listen (or talk to) to your characters?
I don’t talk or listen to them, but I do feel for them, checking emotionally to see what is true for them and then following that truth.
What advice would you give other writers?
Don’t give up. Writing and publishing is a long process, and it does not happen overnight. Keep at it. It’s worth every bit of hard work, sweat, heartache and frustration to finally hold that book in your hands.
How did you decide how to publish your books?
My first five books were traditionally published, beginning back in the 1980s. After my first two books went out of print and the rights reverted back to me, I began exploring self-publishing options so I could keep the books viable. At the time, there were few options, but as the industry changed, I changed with it and began using CreateSpace for all my books. I love self-publishing. I love having total control over my work.
What do you think about the future of book publishing?
I have no idea what the future will look like for publishing. We’re on the front swell of an amazing sea change and the industry could literally do anything. I think it’s an exciting time for indie writers. We’re making history as we go.
What do you use?
Professional Cover Designer, Beta Readers
What genres do you write?
biography, fiction, action/adventure, fantasy, romance, western, paranormal, spiritual and satire.
What formats are your books in?
Both eBook and Print
Website(s)
Melissa Bowersock Home Page Link
Link To Melissa Bowersock Page On Amazon
Link to Author Page on other site
Your Social Media Links
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/460535.Melissa_Bowersock
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Melissa-Bowersock-author/164670386962492?fref=ts
https://twitter.com/MJBowersock
http://www.pinterest.com/mjbowersock/
