– First, introduce yourself a bit. What is your name (or pen name) and where are you from?
My name is Melissa Betts, I’m a stay at home and from Oshawa, Ontario, Canada where I still live with my husband and our three kids.
– Next, tell us a bit about your most recent work. Is this your first published book? What is it about and what genre would you classify it as?
Last year I wrote and published a paranormal werewolf romance book called The Love Of An Alpha: A Lycan Love Saga. A potentially earth-shattering event is about to happen to the residents of Surrey affluent in the neighbourhood just outside London, England.
Elizabeth, Luna of the wealthy and prominent Blue Moon Pack, has just discovered she is pregnant with twins—the first male-female twins in Lycan history. The father is the heir to the Alpha rank of England’s powerful Blue Moon Pack, and the birth will change the werewolf world forever. A tale of power, privilege and passion in the shadowy Lycan realm, follow the Blue Moon Pack as they attempt to merge with the Green Moss Pack and Gold Heart Pack as they try to cross the only barrier they have ever encountered-the Irish Sea.
– What was your hardest scene to write in this (or any) book?
The hardest scene I think for me to write was the sex scene as well as the fight scene. Though I found them fun to write it was also a bit of a challenge.
– Did you go the traditional route when publishing your book or did you choose to self-publish?
I choose to self-publish my book because of the freedom it gave me to be able to spend more time with my family.
– What would you say is the most difficult part of your writing journey and what advice would you give to other writers?
The most difficult part I would have to say for me is trying to find the time to write during the day when my kids are at home and not in school. So I find it easier to write at night time. My advice to other writers would be to write as often as you and to never give up on your dream.
– What are some of your favourite authors and books and what inspired you to become a writer in the first place?
I love Kelley Armstrong, M. J. Arlidge, E.L James and Helen Fields’ books. I have always loved to read books even when I was a child and wrote my first short story when I was in Grade 1.
– Do you read reviews of your book and, if so, how do you handle negative feedback?
I made the mistake of reading one bad review and not going to lie it hurt a little reading it but since then I learn to just shrug it off and stop reading them. I get not everyone is going to love what I write and that’s okay.
– What are some of your quirks as a writer? Do you like to plot everything out or do you prefer to just “wing it” and see where the story takes you? Do you listen to music when writing and, if so, what do you listen to?
Whenever I get stuck or hit writer’s block, I take a step back from my computer and I focus on something else like cleaning the house, taking a drive or walk or even a long bath to help clean my mind and when the wheel in my head starts spinning again I write it down in my notebook before I forget it.
I prefer to just wing it and see where the story will take me I think it’s for fun that way. Sometimes I will listen to the Backstreet Boys other times I like peace and quiet depending on the mood I’m in.
– What is the best advice you’ve ever had when it comes to writing and what advice would you give to new writers?
Best advice that was ever given to me was to not let other people get to me. In this line of work you get all kinds, the key is just to ignore and keep on doing what you love to do no matter what others think or say. and that is what I will pass on to a new writer if you love to write then write don’t stop, don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do something when you know deep down you can.
– What’s next for you? Are you currently working on any new books or stories?
I’m currently working on the second book to The Lycan Love Saga called The Love Between Our Packs.
– Finally, feel free to plug your social media, website, and links to Amazon, GoodReads, and other relevant sites below, and detail any current offers available for your book/s:
If you’d like to be featured in an interview, please check out the interview submissions page to submit your answers.
Dr. K's Waiting Room 