Eastside RWA Newsletter Interview January 2005

Eastside RWA: When did you join RWA? What were your reasons for joining?

Melinda: I like to pretend that I learned to write fiction as an education research grant writer. When I lived in England I joined a fiction writing group, but we were more about talking books over pub lunches than we were about bum-in-the-chair production. After we moved back to Seattle again, I decided to get serious about fiction writing as there weren't that many English pubs in Auburn and I didn't know anyone who was interested in writing novels . . . yet.

I joined RWA in 1991 after attending a Seattle Chapter Emerald City Conference. At that conference there were writers who had published many romances. And though I had read none of them, they kindly shared their personal experiences, advice and expertise.

Because everyone seemed to be excited about getting an editor appointment, I signed up for one, too. I didn't have a clue what a Harlequin editor and I were supposed to talk about, so asked her all sorts of questions about her work, her life and what Harlequin published. Afterwards, she suggested that we sit together at lunch to continue our chat and I regaled her with my ever entertaining escape from academe stories. In the following years, after I'd had other editor/agent appointments, I realized what a remarkably kind and generous lady that Harlequin editor was.

In continuing atonement for any newbie faux pas I may have committed, I ask you all to join me in lighting a candle and thinking good thoughts for dear Karin Stoecker.

Eastside RWA: What about the romance genre appealed to you?

Melinda: I came to romance writing from teaching at a university where I also wrote textbooks, curriculum and assessment instruments and teacher training materials. I read literary fiction, NYT bestsellers and technothrillers for fun. As an undergrad I'd loved the Angelique books, though didn't know them as historical romances, just good, entertaining stories. That's what appeals to me about romance--they're entertaining, women-empowering stories about how making the decision to love changes people for the better.

Eastside RWA: Are you published in romance? If so, when was your first published, how many and what are the titles?

Melinda: The first of my published romance fiction under the name Melinda Rucker Haynes was my Golden Heart winner:

GHOSTLY ACTS, young adult paranormal, 1998, paperback reprint 2001
A WING AND A KISS, contemporary, 1999
THE HAUNTING OF JOSH WESTON, young adult paranormal, 1999
THE ETERNAL TRUST, paranormal, hardcover 2002, trade 2003
BREACH OF TRUST, paranormal, hardcover 2003, trade 2004
ESSENCE OF TRUST, paranormal, hardcover May 2005

Eastside RWA: What are you currently working on?

Melinda: I'm deeply involved in redesigning my website and creating content rich environment I've always wanted. There's an easy signup for the Melinda's Creative Centre Newsletter, lots of cool craft and creativity development how-to, a Reflections of Love gallery of screensavers, fun surprises, as well as my books with reviews and excerpts.

As to the writing, I'm working on a YA paranormal series, an action adventure romance and a fun contemporary. I continue to work on a nonfiction compilation of soul mate love stories compiled from past life regressions that I've performed over the years.

Eastside RWA: What subgenre do you write most? Why did you choose it?

Melinda: I love to write paranormals and speculative fiction. Because I'm often asked why, I've had to think about it a good deal and will answer the why with this little story from my website:

Imagine is a magic word that opens the door to possibilities . . . My mother didn't read bedtime fairy-tales to little Melinda, she made up original stories on demand and performed them. As I grew into my imagination I became the storyteller and told myself stories that seemed as real as memories. I wrote, produced and starred in my first play, A Trip to the Moon, for my sixth grade class years before Armstrong did his 1969 moonwalk.

I'm always asked how I became interested in metaphysics, the paranormal and the idea of transformational love. For this life, perhaps I chose to be born fascinated with a mystical blend of science and metaphysics. I like to imagine that life is essentially nonmaterial, a created reality shimmering into existence at a confluence of memory and modern physics. And that we secretly know, like ancient adepts, alchemists and today's physicists, that everything is pure energy.

I grew up during the height of the atomic bomb testing in the American southwest. We lived some 150 miles south of the Nevada Test Site in the northwestern Arizona. Memories have me awakening in my bed as the predawn sky glowed to the north and my world shook. Perhaps witnessing the post-dawn of the nuclear age in such a personal way awakened a desire to prove to myself that life is infinitely more than can be perceived with the human senses. Possibly we inherently possess the great imagination needed to understand that the energy of eternal love is more powerful than any atomic bomb. Imagine love can transform worlds . . . and enemies into friends . . . and the lonely to soul mate lovers, life after life after life. These are the stories I love to imagine and create.

Eastside RWA: What is your favorite part of the writing process? Least favorite?

Melinda: My favorite part of the writing process is creating in "flow"--that losing all sense of time or self as the story pours out as if you were channeling it. My least favorite is what I call the "ughs" where I'd rather clean the toilet than work on the book because something isn't feeling right. Once I get that toilet cleaned or have reorganized something else outside of the writing, I've usually solved whatever's gone wonky in the plot or characterization and I'm quickly back in creative flow.

Eastside RWA: Do you have a writing routine? What is it?

Melinda: My writing routine includes a production planning process. Usually my planning process is very organized, though it can be more fluid if time permits. I'm deadline driven and carefully organize my calendar and time to accommodate them. Once a deadline is set, I plot the book with my story development tool, Story Compassİ, and I then storyboard chapter by chapter. After I've planned the book, the deadline sets a daily page count and I get that or better each day until the book is done. I write linearly from page one to the end, generally following my storyboarded plan or roadmap, but allowing for surprise developments that I've come to anticipate and enjoy.

My production process is the key to generating the creative flow in which I actually produce the writing. And so far there have been minimal or no required rewrites, other than line edit pickups, for any of my flow-created novels. My personal experience, as well as that of my students and clients, have shown that the best reason to establish and keep a writing routine, perform pre-writing exercises and exercise good story planning is to help generate true creative flow.

Eastside RWA: What is your favorite word? Least favorite?

Melinda: My favorite word is "imagine" and my least favorite is "no" followed by "can't."

Eastside RWA: If you had to choose another profession other than writing, what would it be?

Melinda: From my first job, once I explored and learned a profession, it gave rise to my Obi Wan mantra, "Move along. Move along." and I did. I eventually had to admit to myself that I needed freedom to explore, to learn, to dream and create. I realized I couldn't have the freedom I needed with a nine-to-five profession, even the fun, mostly satisfying and well-paid jobs. Thank goodness I've had the creative freedom I need thanks to the support of a self-described patron of the arts, my art in particular, my DH, Bob. My dear patron is certainly earning huge stars in that heavenly husband crown.

However, ten years ago I found a calling that continues to offer me excitement and incredible learning. I became a certified hypnotherapist specializing in the past life regression therapy. I feel blessed to engage in another profession in addition to my beloved writing and teaching that contributes so positively to my personal growth and creativity as well as to improving the quality of life for myself and others.

Eastside RWA: What are your pursuits/interests aside from writing (in this life!)?

Melinda: My hobbies and interests are like my past jobs. I explore, learn and move along to something else. There are some constants in my avocational pursuits, though. I love music. However, in this life I've apparently chosen to be an appreciative listener and consider musicians to be the true mages of this world. Technology excites me and I want it! Airedale terriers are my passion. Those naughty black and tan free spirits are tightly wound springs of fun. My son says, "You can't have nice things if an Airedale owns you." Ah well, I'll take the fun.

Modern and Asian art continues to fascinate me and I'm currently experimenting with Sumi painting. The feel of those beautiful brushes in my hand is heavenly and natural, but I fear this experience may prove to be similar to my taking violin lessons as child. The violin fit under my chin as if it belonged there and my hand held the bow like a virtuoso. Alas, the sounds produced weren't recognizable as music. Our neighbors eventually demanded that I stop and, in the spirit of good relations, I did as requested. Terribly self-sacrificing, don't you think? Actually, I couldn't take one more minute of screeching Three Blind Mice either, and I was a second year student! Oh. My.

I'd love to have a huge, light-filled workshop filled with every kind of woodworking tool and machine, including a welder. I did get a start on that this Christmas. My DH gave me some lovely power tools. He also gifted me a dazzling bling, too, that glitters on my sawdust-grimed hand gripping that new orbital sander.

Eastside RWA: What advice would you give to un-published authors, and to newly published authors?

Melinda: Be nice. Be courteous. Listen and learn the business. You never know when you're going to lunch with a future executive editor with a looooong memory.