Ever wonder where the words come from? Children’s books have always been my passion, so I was excited to sit down and chat with children’s author, Melinda Long. As the author of many wonderful books for kids, including How I Became a Pirate, she’s someone you’ll want to learn more about too.
Meet Melinda Long
KAG: Where are you from and what led you to Greenville?
ML: I am originally from Spartanburg, SC. Growing up, my family lived in Tennessee and Columbia, to name a couple. We moved to the town of Travelers Rest when I was ten years old. Once I met Tom and got married, we moved closer to Greenville.
KAG: At what point did you decide you wanted to be a children’s author?
ML: I’ve been writing since I was six years old. I would make up stories and write on anything I could get my hands on. I remember my mother buying me a typewriter to “keep me company!” In elementary school, I was always making up stories and telling them to my friends. The teacher even allowed me to perform puppet shows for my classmates. When I was in college, I had a professor at Furman University who loved Children’s Literature. She encouraged me and that’s when I decided I wanted to pursue children’s writing as a career.
*Melinda’s first children’s book, When Papa Snores, was published by Simon & Schuster in 2000.
KAG: What made you decide to write a series about Pirates?
ML: Believe it or not, I loved to play pirates when I was a kid. I’m no artist, but I would draw pirate hats on paper. Mom’s earrings were the perfect “treasure” to hide in the backyard! After I finished my first book, I remember walking through Barnes & Noble with Tom, envisioning the exact spot where my books would be placed on the shelf. A sales lady walked up and we began chatting. At some point in our conversation, she told me that “there aren’t many books written about Pirates…” And the rest is history.
*Fun Fact: How I Became A Pirate is being performed around the world as a play. There’s even a Christmas musical with the same characters based on a short story written by Melinda (Jingle “Argh” the Way).
KAG: What was your favorite children’s book – what did you read to your children?
ML: When I was growing up, all we had was Little Golden Books (insert a few chuckles here). One of my favorite authors is C.S Lewis. I loved reading The Chronicles of Narnia to my kids. A Wrinkle in Time is another great one, by Madeleine L’Engle. I love her too. Of course, my favorite children’s book is probably Where the Wild Things Are.
KAG: How do you balance writing and speaking in schools with being a wife and mom?
ML: I set my own hours so I can be as flexible as I need to be. When my children were younger, it was more difficult because I wanted to be involved in everything they did. I had to schedule my work around their activities. Now that they’re grown, it’s much easier.
KAG: What is your favorite part of being an author?
ML: I love creating stories. I get so excited when one of my books is about to come out. I also love traveling around to schools. I taught school for twenty three years, so speaking to students is my way of staying connected.
KAG: Let’s change things up a bit and find out a little bit about Melinda on a non-professional level. What does a typical Friday night look like for you?
ML: There’s so much to do around our town. We love the live music during the warmer months and the Shakespeare in the Park series. Although it’s not uncommon for my husband and I to enjoy one another’s company and relax in front of the TV, either!
KAG: What is your favorite thing to do in Greenville?
ML: Tom and I really love the Greenville Drive games. A lot of times our kids will give us suggestions of things to do. It’s always fun to try things out that they’ve enjoyed. Greenville is growing so much!
KAG: Which of your books would you say is your favorite?
ML: Probably Pirates Don’t Change Diapers. Honestly, it changes. I’ll really be hung up on one, but when a new one comes out, it’ll be my favorite for a while.
KAG: If you could travel to one place in the world, where would it be?
ML: Actually, I’m a homebody. I love everything about where we live and I’m content to stay around home. Wait… I do want to see New Orleans at some point.
KAG: Do you like to read in your spare time? (Insert more chuckles at the word “spare time”), If so, what genre is your favorite?
ML: Yes! I love to read when I have time. Anything filled with suspense. I love a challenge – putting pieces of a story together. Character development is important to me, I want to get to know the characters. I love to read young adult suspense novels because I’m interested in writing for young adults, too. I love reading novels by Janet Evanovich. And, of course, it’s always nice to read funny stories – you know, just enjoy the ride of a book without having to think too hard.
KAG: Is there anything you would like to share? Something you’d like our readers to know about you?
ML (without hesitation): I love to act. I’m a member of a theatre group at my church, St. Peter’s Episcopal on Hudson Rd. We typically perform two plays a year.
Learn more about Melinda Long
Visit her website here. Learn more about (or purchase) her books here.
This interview was so much fun for me! The only thing I value more than the words is the writer. Now that you have the low-down on Melinda Long, check out her website and be on the look- out for her next book, Mates!