Hiya peeps! Melange Books took a chance on me about five years ago and opened the door to make my publishing dreams come true. They've given many authors that chance since then, so I wanted to give props to Melange this month by interviewing several of their authors. You'll find some great insights, tips, and new books to read along the way. Enjoy!
Where are you from and what do you do when you’re not
writing?
I am from Columbia, South
Carolina but I live in Atlanta, Ga. When
I’m not writing I teach Spanish at one of the biggest high schools in the
southeast.
How did you come up with the idea for this book/series?
I came up with the idea for my
novel while driving home from South Carolina. It’s a three hour trip and I get
lots of time to be creative!
Tell us about the writing process—what were your favorite
and least favorite moments?
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| Coming July 17! |
When I write I never quite know
where the story will go. Even though I have the idea and outline in my head,
the story seems to write itself sometimes.
And when I finish a chapter that I particularly like and I re-read it
and think “Wow”, there’s no greater moment. My least favorite moment of the
writing process is when I can’t remember what color eyes I made a particular
character. Details are not my strong suit.
What’s your favorite cure for writer’s block?
A trip to the pool and a
margarita seems to always work. J
Can you please share an excerpt?
The whole world around me is moving in slow motion. It isn’t until
I am hit in the face with a bloody hand wrenched completely off at the wrist
that I realize the roar I had heard was a bomb. I begin my descent to the hard
floor; my body constantly hitting pieces of table, metal mixed with plastic
from chairs, and chunks of things stained red that I don’t even want to know
where they came from. I hit the ground on my right side; the contact sends a
painful jolt through my shoulder that travels the length of my body. My gloved
hands cover my face to ward off the feet trampling all around me. The images of
body parts flying through the air and blood spattering on the walls and floor
are seared into my brain. In another life, it could have been art, a pretty
mosaic depicting the tragedies of life. My first instinct is to avoid, at all
possible costs, the touches of the hordes of people that come my way in a
desperate attempt to flee the carnage. I have no idea where I am in the
cafeteria anymore; I just know that I have to get out, get away from all those
people; from all of their secrets.
What’s your next/current writing project?
I am currently writing the sequel
to The Haunting of Secrets – Unhinged. It’s almost finished I’m happy to say.
Here’s a totally random question for you:
Come up with your own
silly haiku, but you must include the word “salsa”.
Sitting it mocks me
A salsa created true
Why do you burn me?
Thanks so much for stopping by!
****
Shelley
Pickens is a Spanish teacher by day and a novelist by night. She’s been in love
with everything paranormal since she can remember. After years of
teaching high school students, she decided to take her firsthand knowledge of
young adults and apply it to her passion for creative writing and
fantasy. When not teaching or writing, Shelley likes to spend time with
her husband and two beautiful children in Atlanta, Ga. Her escape from
reality is her love of complex thriller and science fiction TV series like
Supernatural and Sleepy Hollow. In her spare time she is an avid watcher
of little league baseball. THE HAUNTING OF SECRETS is her debut
novel.
Website: www.shelleypickens.com
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/shelleypickensauthor
Instagram: http://instagram.com/shelleypickens
Book Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQvKX0rb-Zg
(an actual video with student actors from my school created by the kids in the video class. It's amazing!)
(an actual video with student actors from my school created by the kids in the video class. It's amazing!)
Hi Shelley,
ReplyDeleteIf ever you need a margarita partner just let me know.
Thanks for sharing the excerpt, you've left me wanting to know more!
Val
It truly is a great book!
ReplyDeleteGreat interview, Mysti. And I think I'll take your advice on the writer's block and try a Margarita next time, Shelley. Good luck with your book. It's a great story.
ReplyDeleteGreat book! I can't wait to read it again.
ReplyDeleteCongrats Shelley! And thanks for hosting the interview Mysti. :)