Author interview with Edie Melson

Find your voice, live your story…is the foundation of Edie Melson’s message, no matter if she’s addressing parents, military families, readers of fiction, or writers. As an author, blogger, and speaker she’s encouraged and challenged audiences across the country and around the world. Her passion to help those who are struggling find the strength they need to triumph is reflected in the characters she creates and the insight she shares. 

Connect with Edie further on her website, through Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.    

Alone: After her family is killed in the cleansing, Bethany’s purpose in life has changed. No longer will she be allowed to work to save her dying planet. As a slave, endurance is her goal as she marks each day as one moment closer to an eternity spent reunited with those she loved. But when her planet is invaded, everything changes. Now she must decide either to align herself with those from her planet who condemned her faith and killed her family, or with the warriors who have conquered her world. Ultimately her choice will mean life or death for more than just her planet’s ecosystem. She alone holds the key to a powerful secret, and the fate of the entire galaxy depends on her decision.

Heidi here. Edie, congratulations on your recent novel, Alone. You’ve published a number of non-fiction prayer books (While My Soldier Serves and While My Child is Away), how was it to write fiction?

It was such fun! I love nonfiction, but I think spending this time developing my fiction muscles has made me a stronger writer in so many ways. It gave me a break so I can come back fresh, and a new love so I always have something fun to write.

Awesome perspective. What was your inspiration behind writing Alone?

Believe it or not, it was a dream. This was a book that I’ve wanted to write since the early 90s. I knew that I didn’t have the skill to do this story justice so I took time to learn how to write before I attempted it.

Wow. My first novel was also a dream ~ I've often thought it was God's way of getting my attention at that time in my life. So tell us, who/what spurs you to write?

For me writing is a lifeline. I process life by writing things out. If I didn’t write, I think I’d go crazy. My mother will tell you that I’ve been writing since I could crawl to a white wall with a crayon in my hand.

Oh, the number of walls your mother must have painted over 😀  How do your faith and spiritual life play into the picture and affect your storytelling?

No matter what I write, my world view colors how I look . I don’t think of myself as a Christian writer, I’m a writer who’s a Christian.

Very good point. Edie, I love plotting and am always looking for tips. How do you plot a novel? How close to the final version does the first draft read?

I spend time thinking things through before I begin writing my first storyline. It’s a synopsis-type document where I list the major plot points and ideas. Then I do a scene map. I write a short description of each scene. I include which character’s point of view I’m in. I use this to guide my first draft. It’s not set in stone, but it keeps me from going too far afield.

Good information, thanks for sharing! Now, for fun, if you could take a plane to ONE place, where would you go? If you could bring one person with you, who would it be? And if you could eat only one kind of food during your trip, what would that be?

I would board a space plane and visit Mars. I’d take my engineering husband so he could explain the science of what I’m experiencing. I’d eat all kinds of freeze dried astronaut food.

Spoken from a speculative fiction author! Usually I get warm vacation locales.....Moving on, tell us about future books planned.

I don’t have anything contracted right now, but I’m working on a sequel to Alone. This one is called Adrift and is Manaen’s story. I’m also working on a series of Steampunk Fables. Each is a retelling of a classic story. The first is Maiden of Iron, a retelling of Robin Hood from Maid Marion’s perspective.

That sounds super exciting! Edie, thank you for your time today, it was fun! And congratulations again on you novel, Alone, as well as your prayer books (While My Soldier Serves and While My Child is Away).

Let's keep the conversation rolling. Does anyone have a question for Edie? By the way, she is giving away a signed copy of Alone to one of  you (US only) ~ so comment away and don't forget to leave your email address too 😎