This week's interview is with the inspirational Mel Menzies.

Our series of writer interviews is intended to show the wide variety of work involved in being a writer, as well as the highs and lows of the writing life.  I also hope that these interviews will help to dispel many of the preconceptions and myths that some new writers hold, only to have lead to disappointment later when reality hits home. 

What is your primary type of writing (e.g. sci fi novels, articles, legal papers, poetry)

Twenty-five years ago I would have said it was How-To books – how to cope with a bad marriage; a divorce; a stepfamily; a child on drugs – that sort of thing.  When I began to receive commissions from large publishing houses, that emphasis changed to biography.  With my first novel now published, I’d love to say that this was my ‘primary type of writing’, but I have another how-to book on the go.  And, of course, I blog regularly at www.melmenzies.co.uk on all the subjects covered by my books, plus the endlessly fascinating topic of creative writing techniques.

 

Is writing your primary source of income?

No!  When my husband’s business nose-dived in the last recession, I took on full-time employment as Copyright Manager of a music publishing company.  That meant a ten year gap from writing, which was hard.  However, my husband now job-shares with me, which has enabled me to get back to writing.

 

What is your biggest day to day challenge as a writer?

The first word of the first sentence!  I’m an INFP on the Myers’ Briggs Type Indicator (I have a similar personality test for visitors to my website www.melmenzies.co.uk/personality_test ) which means that the biggest challenge I face is getting past the telephone, e-mail, husband . . .  The N in my type means I’m an iNtuitive (and inclined to flights of fancy), the F (for Feeling) means that all decisions are based on how they will affect others (I can’t say No to any request for my time), the P is for Perception and means I’m flexible and spontaneous to the point of having little or no discipline ;D

 

When did you start writing?

As children my cousins and I used to put on plays, with our parents the enforced audience.  Peter multi-tasked as actor and stage manager (operating the black-out curtains), Jill as actress, costumes and make-up artist, our youngest sibs, ‘the babies’ were our slaves, and although far from being the eldest, I was the script-writer and director.  Later, when I was 14, my father did a correspondence course on short-story writing and I received my first rejection slip (from Argosy magazine).  Later, I worked as PA to Paul Gallico, author of Snow Goose.  Publication for me came when my first marriage disintegrated. 

 

Why do you love writing?

Why do I love breathe, food, exercise?  They give me life.

 

Have you ever faced a situation that almost caused you to give up on being a writer?

No!

 

Is your writing career how you envisioned it?

No!

 

What big writing goals do you still want to accomplish?

Another novel.

You can find out more about Mel at her website, http://www.melmenzies.co.uk/

 You can also check back tomorrow to read her Wise Writing Words.

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