Hi Readers,
I am back with another incredible author. Check out my interview with Douglas J. McLeod who writes under the pen names: C. D. Melley, and Crimson Nuage and then one click his featured book “The Prairie Fire Within.”
Thank you so much for joining me!
- Tell me a bit about one of your favorites that you wrote.
I guess my favorite book to write was my first foray into the romance genre, The Prairie Fire Within. Before then, most of the stories I wrote were of the detective genre; whether it was private eye stories in elementary school, or the paranormal detective tales I write now. However, I wanted to try something different. Since most of the authors I had befriended on social media at the time wrote romance, I decided to give that a go. Only one problem: how to distinguish myself from my detective books? At the time, my great aunt was losing her battle with Stage IV lung cancer, so I made a vow to myself and to her: I would create a new author persona to pay homage to her. Taking the initials of one of my middle names, and my real first name, as well as, her maiden name, the name “C. D. Melley” was born. I released “TPFW” in February 2014, and was the first book of an intended trilogy. Admittedly, with three personas, and a plethora of plot bunnies to chase, the rest of the trilogy has been slow coming. I released the second book, The Prairie Fire Rekindled, in November 2017, and the final tome, The Prairie Fire Ablaze, has a goal of an August 2020 release. Whether or not I make that deadline is yet to be seen.
The Prairie Fire Within is available on Amazon and other fine eBook retailers: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IGGNT30
2. Writing is a difficult endeavor. What makes you continue to write?
It is quite a difficult endeavor; even more so when you have a full-time job and are also studying part-time towards a university degree. That being said, I enjoy writing. I feel there are some compelling stories within me, and some interesting ideas that have popped into my head over the years. Granted, some of them have not been seen through to completion. I guess you could argue I have a bit of ADD in that regard. Regardless, I believe everyone has a creative side. For example, my wife makes homemade crafts for herself and the dog rescue she volunteers with. My case, it’s writing. I find it very cathartic to get my thoughts and feelings down on paper, or in a document, after a stressful day or week at work. It helps calm and relax me in the process.
3. What do you look forward to every day?
It’s funny you ask that. For years, I would dread getting out of bed every day because I felt like I didn’t have any real purpose or drive. I was constantly depressed and suffered from anxiety. This was due to a negative upbringing where I was made to believe I wouldn’t amount to anything. But thanks to writing and other positive cognitive practices, I am grateful for what the day brings me. Before, I didn’t have much to look forward to; whether it was in life, work, or romantic relationships. Now, I have a wonderful wife who supports me every step of the way, a day job that, while it can be stressful and aggravating at times, helps put food on the table, and a whole new life I didn’t think was possible years ago.
Part of that was moving away from a Toronto neighborhood where I lived the majority of my life (37 years) to start this aforementioned new life in Florida over three years ago. My anxiety was through the roof because I was not ready to step out of my comfort zone. But thanks to my now wife, she helped me break down those psychological walls, and show me that, in the famous words of basketball all-star Kevin Garnett, “Anything is possible.”
4. How do you define success? What makes you successful?
One would think success as an author is measured by sales, having a devout following of readers, or having a lucrative publishing deal. I don’t see that to be the case for me. As someone who is as eclectic and varied as myself between my three personas and the three genres I write (paranormal detective/mystery, romance with various levels of steam, and reflective poetry), it’s tough to garner a following. While I do enjoy it when I go to an event and sell a paperback copy of one of my titles, or I log into one of my online publishing accounts and see an e-copy has been purchased, I know that there are others who sell a considerable amount more. I think it’s because they have the time and energy to write on a regular basis. Alas, with my schedule, I try to write when I can. I guess, in short, my success is measured in the small victories I’m able to make along the way.
5. Any tips for a newbie writer?
My number one piece of advice for a new writer is not to get discouraged. The road to success has the odd pothole in it, and if you’re not careful, it will mess you up. You might not get the sales you hope for right away, or you might feel like you’re a small fish in a big pond. That’s perfectly alright. Just continue to write what you enjoy. To paraphrase the famous quote from the movie, Field of Dreams, “If you write it, they will read.”
Also, don’t get too intimidated when it comes to marketing yourself and your books. As a self-published author, the promotional aspects fall squarely upon our shoulders, and I’ll be perfectly honest, I can’t market myself worth a crap, so it can be quite daunting when you don’t know what you’re doing. However, getting to know fellow, supportive authors and others in the book community will help you on your journey.
You might hear the horror stories of cliques in the community, and yes, in some aspects, there is a “high school mentality” amongst some individuals. Those are the type of people you want to avoid and not get wrapped up in the drama. But if you do your research, there are some absolutely supportive people out there who will actually help you along the way. Just be prepared to return their generosity in kind because it is truly a “do unto others as they do unto you” mindset and courtesy to them. Just be careful if you intend to turn a hated rival into a dead body in a future work of fiction. Litigation can be an awful bitch.
** Follow Douglas McLeod and his writing endeavors at**
https://www.facebook.com/DouglasJMcleodAuthor
