Straight from the Library: Straight Chatting from the Library: T. Melissa Madian

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READ THE INTERVIEW

When did you decide to become a writer?

Some of my earliest memories as a child were writing poems or stories about crazy characters getting into silly shenanigans. When I was in grade school, I wrote and illustrated a series of comics about a sardonic mouse. I guess that means I have always been a writer! When I entered the corporate world, most of my writing was focused on business. I decided to write this children’s book when I found my old story notes during a basement clean-up and my passion for fiction writing was reignited! What are your ambitions for your writing career?

If just one child is inspired to enter STEM or make friends with someone who is a little different because of this book, then I’ll consider my writing career successful. My plan is to continue to write kids and young adult books that are humorous and inspire creativity. I love the freedom of fiction: to build characters and worlds that currently do not exist but are within the realm of the possible!

Give us an insight into your main character. What does he/she do that is so special?

Bartholomew is a curious little creature that was created by a science experiment gone wrong and is therefore not familiar with our world. He changes colors based on how he is feeling and uses touch to sense and process things around him. He is neither male nor female – he is a blob! – and doesn’t see the world through gender-specific eyes. He really just wants to fit in and be accepted for who he is.

Do you have a special time to write or how is your day structured?

I run a consulting firm, so I need to balance my “day job” with time to write. I typically carve out a section of the day to focus on writing and give myself the flexibility to drop everything and write if inspiration strikes! I’ll often write on the weekends, as that is when I’m most relaxed and the creative juices are flowing.

Where do the ideas come from?

An overactive imagination combined with wine! In all seriousness, most of my ideas come from personal experience: things I have felt or observed. There is a little bit of me in Bartholomew, and I put a little bit of myself in all my writing. Even the sardonic mouse from my childhood was mostly me, in mouse form!

Do you work to an outline or plot or do you prefer just see where an idea takes you?

I start with an idea, then chart out the key story beats so I know where the story has to go and where it will end. I am a Mechanical Engineer by background, so it’s probably the engineer in me that requires the organization of an outline. That way I don’t forget anything important or meander too far off the course of the story flow.

Any tips on how to get through the dreaded writer’s block?

Sometimes you just need to take a step back and do other things to take your mind off writing. I’ll do yoga, or take a barre class, or just go for a brisk walk and listen to music. The important thing is to not force it; the writing will feel less authentic and rushed if you do.

What can we expect from you down the line?

I just released a business book entitled, Enabler? I Hardly Know Her! How to Make the Sales Experience Not Suck. This book focuses on the key tenets of structuring a sales team and creating an exceptional sales experience that builds customers for life. I am also working on an idea with my husband for a children’s book about our cat, Pickle.

READ THE BLURB

It was business as usual at the Acme Science Lab, until one day a massive explosion sent the scientists fleeing for safety.

But out of the smoke and chemicals emerged an amazing new creature... Bartholomew Blob!

With the lab destroyed, Bartholomew leaves the comforts of the only home he has ever known in search of new friends and a place to live.

As he travels through golden fields his body changes color with every emotion he feels.

Life can be lonely for a blob, but Bartholomew discovers there's kindness and love to be found in every adventure.

READ AN EXCERPT

A deafening noise filled the air around Bartholomew. He turned and shrieked – a huge object with large, sharp teeth and four fat round legs was heading straight for him! A yellow streak ran across Bartholomew and he shut his eyes tightly, hoping the creature would not see him.

The tractor stopped mere feet from Bartholomew. A girl jumped out and ran over to him, picking him up in her arms and lifting him to her face. Bartholomew, feeling the strength of her arms, opened his eyes and looked into a pair of big, brown eyes.

“What are you?” she asked.

“I… I… I’m Bartholomew Blob. I came from the science lab across the fields” Bartholomew said.

MEET THE AUTHOR