Meet author Melanie Dobson
Writing fiction is Melanie Dobson’s excuse to explore old houses, tour unique locations, and immerse herself in research. The award-winning author of thirty novels, Melanie enjoys weaving together historical and time-slip stories including The Lost Story of Via Belle, The Wings of Poppy Pendleton, and Catching the Wind. When she’s not writing, Melanie enjoys traveling with her family and teaching as an adjunct professor near her home in Oregon. For more information or to sign up for her quarterly newsletter, visit melaniedobson.com.
Tell us about your newest book.
The Lost Story of Via Belle is a dual-timeline mystery about a romance novelist named Via Belle who went missing in the 1940s. Harper Rayne, a screenwriter in 2006, determines to find out what happened to Via, and as she digs into her past, Harper uncovers a labyrinth of secrets across decades and a missing piece of her own story.
What inspired you to write your story?
The main character (Via Belle) was inspired by the life of Grace Livingston Hill, a Christian novelist I used to binge-read as a tween. Grace wrote mysterious, romantic, and often historical novels that always, always had a happy ending. I wanted to be just like her when I grew up until I discovered her real life wasn’t nearly as romantic as her fiction. Grace experienced tremendous grief in marriage and was frequently criticized for writing inspirational stories during the rise of steamy pulp fiction, but she remained faithful to her calling, ultimately publishing more than a hundred novels. When she passed away in 1947, she was working on Mary Arden. Her daughter Ruth finished that final novel.
Once I became a novelist, I wanted to write a book inspired by the turmoil, loss, and redemption in Grace’s personal story. After visiting her home and writing space in Pennsylvania, my idea grew into this mystery about a novelist named Via Belle who slowly realizes, after marrying her second husband, that she’s been manipulated into a dangerous scheme. I wrote about Via and the woman, sixty years later, who begins to search for Via’s lost story.
What genre do you focus on.
I write from an innate desire to bring order to chaos and confusion, especially when it comes to finding out the truth about a past secret that impacts the well-being of future generations. Because of this, I enjoy writing time-slip fiction with a significant past conflict and contemporary characters who are searching for answers about what happened long ago. My desire is to weave together redemptive stories with the threads of mystery, romance, and suspense.
Why do you write?
I can’t seem to help myself! I’ve been writing stories since I was a child. Each time I try to take a break, another story idea pops into my head and I have to pour it out onto paper.
What is your work schedule like when you’re writing a book?
My schedule fluctuates, but I usually spend about a month reading, interviewing experts, and visiting the location. Then I develop my character profiles and the beginnings of a plot. Once I release my characters on the page, I write about 2,000 words a day to discover what happens to them.
How have you changed or grown as a writer?
One thing I love about writing historical fiction, in particular, is that I learn something new almost every day. I give myself permission to do a lot of mental wandering as I grow a story, and while it’s not always as smooth as I’d like, I’ve learned to shift a little faster over the years between my dreaming, writing, and editing work.
What is the hardest part of being an author?
The most challenging part of writing fiction is the actual writing! I love to dream up plot ideas, build characters, explore settings, and spend weeks immersed in historical research. But sitting down and putting words on the page is hard work. I have a lovely home office overlooking a wildlife refuge, but often I need to write at a local coffee shop so I don’t derail myself with distractions.
What is your favorite pastime?
I love kayaking, traveling, and exploring old and sometimes abandoned places. All of the wondering and wandering ignites my creativity.
What are you working on now?
I’m finishing two books this summer. The first is a novel about the 19th-century religious community that launched the Oneida silverware company. The second is a stormy time-slip mystery about a girl in Oregon who is separated from her family during Astoria’s Great Fire.
Website:
Melaniedobson.com
Link to book:
https://melaniedobson.com/books/the-lost-story-of-via-belle/
Social media links:
https://www.facebook.com/MelanieDobsonFiction
https://www.instagram.com/melbdobson/
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