Minion Spotlight: Melinda Clayton

As you probably know by now, the staff authors here at Indies Unlimited are referred to as minions. No one is sure exactly how or when that started, but it stuck. What you may not realize is that all the minions (and everyone) here at IU work for free. That’s right, they don’t get a dime out of this. They do it out of the goodness of their hearts. So our Fearless Leader (admin) thought it would be nice to give some props to the minions by featuring each of them in a spotlight interview. We hope you enjoy it.

What is your name?

Melinda Clayton.

What is your quest?

I’m supposed to have a quest? Dang it! My last quest ended with a head full of paint, so I’m currently in quest-recovery.

What is your favorite color?

Green.

What the heck were you thinking when you did that one thing that one time?

Sigh. Now see, this is where I’m supposed to have something clever to say, but I’m woefully unclever. In a day or two, or more likely a sleepless night or two, I’ll think of the perfect response, but by then it’ll be too late.

If you could be a tree, what kind would you be?

Well, Barbara, I’d be a mimosa. We moved around a lot while I was growing up, and one house had a huge mimosa out front. I used to meet my boyfriend under it, and I thought it smelled heavenly. It was only later I realized that was the smell of Old Spice. Should this answer have gone under the “what were you thinking” question?

When was your first book published?

In 2010.

What is your favorite genre to write?

Angst. I realize that’s not a real genre, so I’ll go with psychological suspense.

What’s the best part about writing? What’s the hardest?

The easiest part is imagining how it all comes together. The hardest part is making it all come together.

 

What makes being a part of the IU community important to you?

Definitely the sense of community. A writer’s life is a lonely life. It’s immensely helpful to have a group of like-minded, or even un-like-minded, people with whom to bounce off ideas, learn strategies, commiserate, etc.

Why do you choose to go Indie?

Because my first publisher was a scammer.

What do you love most about being an indie?

The absolute control. I really struggled with having to beg for the most basic of services. Like, you know, being paid.

What are you working on now?

I’m working on the third in my Tennessee Delta Series. Or at least I’m supposed to be. It’s been slow going, but hopefully I’ll get there eventually.

Who is your own favorite character, and why?

Billy May Platte, without a doubt. I know it sounds pretentiously artistic to say, but she was so real to me when I was writing Appalachian Justice. I even dreamt about her. She haunted me for a couple of years. I was convinced she was using me to have her story told. I really kind of miss her now that she’s gone.