Author Spotlight: Melissa White

Melissa is both a writer and a very talented musician. Since 2009 she has been writing a series that mixes her love for travel with her love for food. 

She sat down with me to discuss life as a writer. 

Firstly, when did you realise that you were a writer?

I loved it when my mum brought me books back from the library. I loved record books, pop-up books- you name it- and an endless imagination from as young as I can remember. I was determined to learn to piece sentences together in my early childhood years at school and loved Enid Blyton books. It was between all of these moments and inspirations that I wanted to pursue writing, and became a master of it.

Do you have a specific writing style?

Not particularly. I like to let myself flow in the way I feel a story needs to be told. And each story is different, you know. Each chapter in your life for that matter and the books you read for that matter are different and I guess I go through the motions of these and stylize accordingly. Also it can vary from main character to main character.

Can you tell me a little about the current projects you are working on and what stage of finish they are at?

Up until 2009 I had been working on a novel which ties in my love of food. The heroine is much like myself in many ways, so I got to live vicariously through her if you may. She travels the world. I will start to bring her back to life again shortly as I embark on an overseas adventure to get the creative juices flowing. Other than that I have freelanced for a few publications, and for a few years was a regular writer for Aqua Pulse Magazine (based in Canada) and got to interview the likes of well-known swimmers Michael Klim and Stephanie Rice, as well as some great local swimwear designers such as Flamingo Sands, Seafolly, Jet and We Are Handsome.

Is there a specific genre that you prefer to write for, and if so what is it and why?

Not necessarily. I’m a very sensuous writer inspired by sight, touch, taste, touch and sound. The same can be said by many, but it is through sense that I am inspired to write- which means it can draw me in any direction. If I had to choose though, I’d say surrealist. It has a great limitless sense of provoking imagination and yet conveying many messages that provide food for thought- which is what I am all about in general as a person.

When did you start playing with the idea of writing a novel and what inspired it?

I was eight years old when I started playing with the idea of writing a novel. My stories had to have unique characters- usually leaning towards humorous sorts! They needed big adventures. But I also knew what kids my age liked so I did cutesy stories about my dog and other such stories with messages that we were accustomed to be read to as kids at school. I think I puzzled some teachers with the fervor and conviction I had at that age, a right nerd I was…some thought I’d copied my stories and writing from elsewhere. But I’d just become so inspired by other stories and books that I felt the need to try it out myself!

How hard has the journey been - both emotionally and mentally, on yourself as a writer?

I guess to be a writer one tends to romanticize, and at first I certainly romanticized the outcome of the fruits of my endeavours. The truth is is that you don’t necessarily have to be good to be well known and just because you’re good doesn’t mean you’re going to get opportunities all the time. I’m fairly optimistic, but realistic at the same time because over the years you learn that you really have to create your own opportunities, keep writing, freelance and nowadays blog- basically create a constant energy with your work so people will appreciate what you do.

Life in general can have a huge influence on the way you convey stories and characters. Sometimes the more you’ve bled, the more intricate your writing can get…that’s not to say that that should be the life of a writer, though- but having that experience under your belt regardless of what life is for you in the present, a few (or way too many) falls, scratches and slashes to the heart strings and ego even can really be channeled for use as tools of your trade.

Can you tell me what you've learnt so far?

The more you let yourself loose the better the results! So sit down with a glass of red and go for it.

Some writers prefer to write in the morning, locked away in the study, others at night. What is your own writing process and are there certain quirks you have that are uniquely you?

My favourite time of year to write is winter, because you want to stay in doors and keep warm. And I’m a summer person- how peculiar is that! There is absolutely something moody about that heater blazing, a hot cuppa, glass of wine, the thunder rolling the lightening flickering…I love mood. I love to write in a cozy, somber mood. And another great trigger for writing is music- for me it’s jazz that works my writing rhythms every time.

Which writers inspire you?

I’m hopeless when it comes to following authors. I tend to get drawn to stories more than authors as strange as that may sound.

Is there anything you find particularly challenging when writing (Research, psychological, literary etc?

Yes usually when I’m writing something that’s set in a period where people talk differently or country where I’m not so fluent in the language. But I see it as an opportunity to broaden my skills and knowledge as time goes by. The challenge though is finding the time!

In your opinion what makes a book worth reading?

A really poignant point of interest that makes you want to read on and on and on…

As a writer, the changes to technology have both open and closed a number of literary doors. What do you think are both the good and bad points of the introduction of e-books?

E- books…great to store all your favourite books on when traveling. Bad because frankly I love the smell of books, the touch of them…flicking through them as I read. It adds to the experience. And what if all of technology went down? We’d be scouring around trying to find the hard copies, right?

And last Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?

In a happy place where I get to work on music and writing on a more full-time basis.