MY INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR MELISSA TOPPEN ❤️
What’s your name and what genre would you consider your books to be?
Melissa Toppen and I primarily write Contemporary and New Adult Romance
Tell me about your book. How did you come up with that (story, angle, idea)?
My most recent book Where the Night Ends is all about first love. Having met my husband when I was just sixteen years old- I felt like it was a story line I could personally connect to. I also used a lot of real life situations to build my characters and their connection.
How did you get interested in writing this particular genre (historical novels, mysteries, sci-fi, children’s books, etc.)?
I have always been a fan of romance- books, movies, t.v. shows- you name it, I love it. When I sat down to put pen to paper for the very first time I knew there was only one genre that I wanted to write.
What kind of research did you do for this book?
Because this book is not set in a real town, I was able to make things up as I went- which is always super fun. I love building something from the ground up.
Can you tell me about your Series?
Where the Night Ends is part of a three part standalone set. Each book is a set of different characters whose lives are all intertwined. When Dawn Breaks- the second book in the series is scheduled to release 11/17.
Do you have a favorite book out of this series?
I think When Dawn Breaks is my favorite. But you’ll have to wait until November to find out why.
Was it always meant to become a series?
Honestly it was never meant to be a series. I set out with the goal of writing one book- Tess and Sebastian’s story- but then quickly fell in love with Tess’s best friends Bree and Courtney and knew they needed to have their own stories as well.
What’s a typical working day like for you? When and where do you write? Do you set a daily writing goal?
I usually write about three days a week between the hours of 930am-200pm while my kids are in school. I do have an office specifically for writing but often find myself at the kitchen table, in the living room or sometimes at a random restaurant of coffee house when the mood strikes. My goal is to write a specific number of chapters each week depending on the books length and my deadline.
Do you have a new book in the making and if so, what’s the name of your upcoming book?
When Dawn Breaks- Bree’s story- is just about to go into editing. It is due to be released this November.
How important are character names to you in your books? Is there a special meaning to any of the names? I tend to name a lot of my characters after people
I know which my friends tend to get a kick out of.
Where do your ideas come from?
I draw ideas from everything but I will say music is hands down my biggest inspiration. It only takes the right song coming on at the right moment and by the end of that three minutes I’ve built an entire story around that one song.
What is the hardest part of writing for you?
Finding ways not to be repetitive from book to book.
What do you think of book trailers? Do you have a trailer or do you intend to create one for your own book?
I do like book trailers and while I’ve done a couple myself, I do not plan to do one for this particular series.
What do you consider to be your best accomplishment?
I have been so blessed over the last five years that’s it hard to pick just one. With that being said I think my biggest accomplishment was having the courage to write my first book and publish it myself. Nothing will ever top that feeling.
What’s the best thing about being an author?
Everything… Seriously, I love every single minute of it.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Hopefully doing what I’m doing now. This has been my dream since I was a child and now that it’s come true, I’m never letting it go.
Have you always liked to write?
Always! As a matter of fact, the first thirty pages of the first book I published I wrote as a sophomore in High School.
What writing advice do you have for aspiring authors?
Write, write, and write some more. Never give up on your passion. Like the saying goes- if at first you don’t succeed, try again.
If you didn’t like writing books, or weren’t any good at it, what would you like to do for a living?
Probably using either my degree Early Childhood Education or my Cosmetology License.
Do you read reviews of your book(s)? Do you respond to them, good or bad? How do you deal with the bad?
I read every review that is written- the good, the bad, and the downright ugly. I take every single critique given and do my best to learn from it the next time around.
What is your least favourite part of the writing / publishing process?
Promotions. I tend to be a little social media shy so this is the hardest part for me.
Do you have any favorite authors or favorite books?
I have a lot of favorites but a couple of my go to authors are Katy Evans and Mandi Beck. I have yet to read anything by these ladies that I didn’t absolutely love!!
Of all the characters you have created, which is your favourite and why?
Melanie- How We Fall. Because she is me in fictional character form.
Where can readers go to discover more about you and your books?
Does writing energize or exhaust you?
A little bit of both.
What is your writing Kryptonite?
Noise of any kind.
Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want?
I try to find a good balance of the two.
What other authors are you friends with, and how do they help you become a better writer?
I have become friends with some amazing authors along the way. Each one pushes me to be better and I try to do the same for them.
Where can your fans find you and follow??
http://www.mtoppen.com
http://www.facebook.com/mtoppenauthor
http://www.facebook.com/melissatoppen
http://www.goodreads.com/mtoppen
http://www.twitter.com/mtoppenauthor
http://www.instagram.com/melissa_toppen
http://www.pinterest.com/mtoppenauthor
http://www.amazon.com/author/melissatoppen
http://www.bookbub.com/authors/melissa-toppen
Thank you for taking your time to do this interview ❤️
My Books-My World 