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Melanie Parkinson | Discover Books & Novels on CraveBooks

#Followers: 3

Melanie Parkinson

Member Since: 08/2022

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Braylee Parkinson is a former teacher turned writer who lives on a little homestead at the base of a mountain. When she's not lost in in story, she is out in her garden or sipping coffee with her knight in shining armor. 

Tell us a little bit about yourself, your hobbies and interests.

I was born and raised in Detroit and lived Ypsilanti, Michigan until I bought a one-way train ticket to Salt Lake City, Utah. The original plan was to hang out in the mountains and writing for about a month and return home, but I wasn’t sure how long I’d stay, so I went with a one-way train ticket. I fell in love with Utah and that vacation has lasted twelve years!

When and why did you start writing books?

I have always wanted to be a writer, and I started making up stories before I could write. My parents would read me stories at bedtime and I would stay up afterwards trying to come up with new plot lines. Needless to say, my parents made sure I could read early on because they got tired of getting stuck for hours after reading me a bedtime story.

What made you decide to tackle writing as a career?

A tragedy struck that made me realize I should be living my best life. Life is too short to be unhappy. I was a teacher and each year the job was becoming more stressful. So, I decided to quit my job and take a chance on writing.

Which one of your books or characters is your favourite?

Road To Nowhere might be my favorite because it involved the nostalgia and mythology of the American West. I currently live in Utah and I absolutely love the desert, so that book reminds me of the first time I went to Moab and fell in love with Utah's landscape.

Which one of your books was the hardest to write and stretched you the most as a writer?

The book I’m currently writing has forced me to stretch, and it is by far the hardest book to write so far. I wrote 40,000 words earlier this year and decided that I had to start over a few months ago. It was tough to go back to the drawing board, but I’m thrilled I made that decision.

Who is your favourite author and book?

There are many book I love. I can't say I have an absolute favorite because there are just too many to choose from! Jonathan Kellerman, Adam Croft, and Pamela Fagen Hutchins are a few of my favorite authors. One of my favorite books is Bad Love by Jonathan Kellerman.

What book are you reading right now?

Snaggle Tooth: A Patrick Flint Novel

Where do you get your inspiration for your books?

I get my inspiration from life experiences, true crime news, and imagining different ways events could have unfolded—a kind of "Choose Your Own Adventure" way of thinking about events that have taken place.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

Reading, sipping coffee on the patio with my hubby, yoga, and gardening.

Do you have any new books in the works?

Yes. "Deviance" is up next in my mystery series and "Crooked Cowboy" is the next book in my sweet romance series.