...Melody Pendlebury to the blog this week. Hi, Melody and thanks so much for being here today. A new novel published, how was your writing journey?
Every author’s story is unique. For some writers, it takes years before they’re published. For some, they are an overnight success. It’s one of my favorite things to read the last few pages of a book whenever an author shares the process it took to get that book into the world since every author’s story is so different.
My journey is a little bit in between the two opposites. I started writing my debut novel, A Girl Called Ruthless, in July of 2020. My book was officially published by Darkstroke in August of 2021.
The writing process is unique to everyone especially when it’s your first book. I was lucky to be able to write it quickly and have heaps of help from other writers and editors. Once I felt my book was as perfect as I could get it, I started querying.
I knew the querying process would be hard, but I don’t think anyone can quite anticipate the anxiety, the complete obsession, and the let-downs that come with it. It felt as if I was checking my email every five seconds. Every time someone requested more of my book, I imagined my life as a famous author. Every time someone rejected me, I thought my book was the absolute worse and I couldn’t believe that I even tried.
Then one day, I got the email from a publisher asking to schedule a Zoom call. If you’re a writer you know what that means. I screamed and jumped up and down that early morning in my kitchen. From there I got offered a contract which I accepted. My book was released only four months later and became a number one bestseller on the first day of preorders.
Although everything seems very simple and linear, the process was filled with hills and valleys, mostly within myself. I used to think that once I got picked up by a publisher I would feel completely confident about my writing abilities, but that simply hasn’t been the case. Imposter syndrome is real no matter what point you are in the writing process. Although I have heard nothing but positive reviews about my book, I still feel like it will never be good enough. Sometimes, or should I say a lot of the times, I have to give myself a pep talk and remind myself about this journey. It has been an amazing ride and I am completely grateful for it.
My book A Girl Called Ruthless, is about a fiery eleven-year-old girl who runs for mayor to save a beloved tree. Sometimes I have to summon my inner Ruthless and realize I can do it and not only that, but I did do it!
I hope my publishing journey has inspired you to keep following your dreams or maybe has made you feel not so alone with your writing imposter syndrome. If you or your loved ones enjoy fiery female protagonists, silly antics, whimsical stories, with a touch of heartbreak and trama, then I would encourage you to pick up a copy of my new book, A Girl Called Ruthless.
about the author... Melody firmly believes that one should never completely grow up. That is why she has chosen to spend her days writing for a younger audience. Melody resides in Jacksonville Florida with her beloved corgi Gatsby, and her husband Dylan. She started her writing career with children’s picture books and has now pivoted to middle-grade novels. She believes that children are eager for more books with strong-willed characters that deal with darker and interesting topics. Her debut novel, A Girl Called Ruthless, is inspired by the fiery girls in her fourth-grade class. When Melody is not writing or teaching kids how to write, she can be found planning her next big trip to some magical place she has never been to.
Eleven-year-old Ruthless will do whatever it takes to live up to her name. Slaughtering pirates, running an underground gambling operation, and intercepting Russian spies are just a few examples.
Eleven-year-old Ruthless will do whatever it takes to live up to her name. Slaughtering pirates, running an underground gambling operation, and intercepting Russian spies are just a few examples.
In true Ruthless fashion, she claims the title of student body president, but her aspirations are cut short after getting in trouble. Not letting that stand in her way, she runs for Mayor with the help of her incredibly strong best friend, Owen. Her town of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, has no age requirement to run for the post. The chances of a child winning are slim, to say the least, so Ruthless and Owen disguise themselves as an adult with the good old ‘two kids in a trench coat’ ruse.
This seemingly harmless scheme has grave consequences that invite the turmoil of her mother’s past back to haunt her. When the dangers of the adult world come crashing down on Ruthless, she must learn how to live with her new reality, and ultimately use it to turn her life into a success story – and live up to her name.
But will she be able to leave the past behind?
You can get the book on Amazon
Happy for your success Melody and thank you, Angela, for introducing her to us.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome.
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