When readers visit our Writer of the Weeks Amazon or GoodReads pages they will find a historical-fiction author who has already made some lifelong fans of the genre. One reviewer stated, "Adjustment Year is a well-written historical novel that shows what kind of struggles can come after the war and many changes...." Meet author Melina Druga.
From northeastern Ohio, Melina Druga says her home is best known for, "the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the Cleveland Indians, the home of President William McKinley, the National First Ladies Library, Cuyahoga Valley National Park, LeBron James, the headquarters of several companies (such as Goodyear), the Akron Soapbox Derby, and many other things."
A lady never tells her age but she did share with us more about the genre she writes. "I’m a multi-genre author. I write historical fiction. I published the WWI trilogy in 2019-2021 and three novellas will publish in 2022. I also have published nine nonfiction books, and I have a contemporary fiction series in the works."
It is not uncommon for authors to start writing because of a moment, an event, or even a person. When we inquired what that person or event might have been for Melina she shared, "that’s difficult to answer because I began writing so young. I was 10 years old when I wrote my first story, an historical fiction piece. Prior to that, however, I was authoring newspapers for a fiction city I created during my make-believe sessions. I’m not sure how old I was when I started those, but it’s probably no exaggeration to say I’ve been writing for as long as I’ve had the ability to write."
This author enjoys writing at home and told us her favorite place often depends on the time of day. "During my afternoon writing sessions, I write in my office. During my evening writing sessions, I write in the living room.
Historical fiction is a wonderfully evolving and increasingly popular genre. However, there is no denying the time, dedication, and attention to detail these stories take for authors who pursue to write in the past. We asked Melina how long it took her to write her latest book Adjustment Year. "It took me approximately a decade to develop, write and publish all three books in the WWI trilogy – Angel of Mercy, Those Left Behind, and Adjustment Year."
Melina was taking a break from reading to enjoy the summer, but she did tell us that when she is not writing, she enjoys reading nonfiction history books.
The good news is Melina is currently writing other books that include, "three historical fiction novellas and at least seven contemporary full-length novels. The three historical fiction novellas are prequels to my WWI trilogy. They follow the heroine’s mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother during pivotal points in their young adulthoods. Despite the connection to the trilogy and each other, each story is standalone because there is no carryover of the plot. The approximately seven contemporary books will be a series. They will debut after the three historical fiction novellas, starting in either 2023 or 2024."
“The worst of doing one’s duty is that it is apparently unfitted one from doing anything else," by Edith Wharton, from The Age of Innocence, Melina says is her favorite author quote.
For indie authors, and those pursuing historical fiction, Melina Druga offered the following advice, "Do your homework and go into the process with your eyes open. There are many pros to publishing independently, but there also are many cons. Going into it with realistic expectations will keep you grounded."
Learn more about Melina Druga, her books, and her pages by visiting the links below. Follow her on social media and tune into The Writing Wall Podcast Saturday, September 11th at 6 p.m. EST.
Author Bio: Melina Druga is a multi-genre author with a lifelong love of history, books, and the English language. Druga writes about the past because although school history classes may have been boring, the past was not. Her era of expertise, and obsession, is 1890-1920 with a particular focus on the Great War and how it affected the lives of ordinary people. Druga’s other interests and hobbies include listening to music, yoga, photography, astronomy, travel, and healthy eating.
Links to website, social media, etc...
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