Interviews

Author Insights - The Heart of the Paranormal Experience (Interview)

Welcome, Paranormal Enthusiasts!

As the year draws to a close and the veil between the old and the new feels just a little thinner, we bring you an exclusive treat to end 2024 with a bang—or perhaps a whisper in the dark. Welcome, dear readers, to an exclusive and spine-tingling journey into the creative mind of one of Wattpad's most fascinating authors, MelisandeScott. Known for weaving tales of vampires, supernatural intrigue, and occultic mysteries, MelisandeScott has captured fans' hearts—and occasional screams—everywhere. Let's dive into this enchanting conversation that promises to be equally thrilling and illuminating.

Author Spotlight: MelisandeScott 

Interview:

1. What led you to Wattpad initially? Did you join to read or write?

I joined Wattpad three and a half years ago to write. I am 41 and have been writing all my life, but I had never found a form or platform that I felt comfortable with. Writing serialized fiction in English (I'm French, and English is my second language!) on Wattpad changed everything. I found my space! Now, I've published six novellas on Wattpad, and I have two ongoing.

2. How long have you been writing?

I've been writing since my first fairy tale was written when I was maybe 10 on my father's typewriter. I've tried everything at some point or another, from novels and short stories to poetry and drama.

3. Do you like to write in the same genres you read? What are your favorite genres?

I read all genres, but my favorite genre to write in is paranormal. I like the freedom it gives me to shape my universe and characters how I want. I am also fascinated by very old characters, which is why my main characters are almost all immortals or vampires. The main character of my series is 2000 years old, and I love to explore what it can mean to have seen and felt so much.

4. Besides reading and/or writing, do you have any other hobbies?

I love photography and singing—I'm in a choir—which is why music is so important in my stories.

5. What does your writing environment look like?

Music catches my attention too much, so I can't listen to it when I write. But I'm not bothered by sounds. I love to write in cafés, for instance. Actually, I can write pretty much everywhere. I don't need a snack to write, but a hot beverage is always welcome. I love to write by hand. I find it inspiring, and it's a good way to start a story or a chapter. Then, I continue on my computer.

6. Where do you tend to find the inspiration to write?

I find inspiration everywhere, from the places I've visited to the books I've read the series and movies I've watched. Also, from my personal life, none of my stories are autobiographical, and none of my characters are based on myself or the people I know. But they all express something from me: it can be an emotion, a habit, a political viewpoint. My stories are queer and cozy and are inspired mainly by the fact that I want to present a world based on care and tenderness, and love, even if there are also very sad and painful things that can happen.

7. Do you have any favorites or least favorite tropes? Please tell us why you like or dislike them =)

I love the found family trope, which is at the heart of most of my stories. I write about all kinds of relationships: romantic, friendship, siblings, and family, and this diversity is important to me. The main point is for people to take care of each other.

8. Are you a native English speaker? If not, what language obstacles have you faced when writing in English?

I am not. I'm French, and French is my first language. I've always been comfortable with English, but learned a lot while writing on Wattpad. My main obstacle is that it is harder for me to copyedit in English: it takes more focus to see the typos.

9. Can you share some of your greatest writing achievements or highlights with us?

The fact that I am currently writing the 5th season of my series amazes me. I started thinking that it would be wonderful to be able to finish one, and now the universe has expanded so much. It is definitely thanks to the amazing support of my readers. I am very grateful. My two greatest achievements, I would say, would be to win first place in the paranormal category at the Prime Awards in 2023 for my comedy Ikshan's Library and to be on the long list for this year's ONC with my paranormal romance Dear Citlali.

10. Do you find that listening to music or making graphics helps the creative process?

I don't make graphics. I'm very bad at that! But I do playlists, especially for each of my For Centuries seasons. And generally, the process of writing a new season really starts when I listen to a song, and I think: this is the one. This is going to be the mood of the season.

11. Planner or Pantser?

I am definitely a pantser. I love to go into a story with no plan at all and see where it leads me. With my experience now, I am also more confident in my process, which opens new possibilities of experimentation for me. I like serialization and being a pantser because, with this way of writing, the story is alive for me. When I try to outline or plan, I feel like the story is dead before I even start to write it. So, I need to be in constant movement. But it doesn't mean I don't structure my stories; I build from what I've already written instead of towards something.

12. Do you have a special message or shoutout for anyone you want to share?

I would like to say how grateful I am for the incredible Rainbow Bookclub on Wattpad. They are amazing people, and their support means everything to me. I would definitely not have written all my stories without them.

And there you have it, folks—a glimpse into the shadowy, captivating world of MelisandeScott. We thank MelisandeScott for sharing their insights and taking us behind the scenes of their creative process. Their unique perspective on the paranormal genre gives us a deeper appreciation for the stories that keep us on the edge of our seats.

We hope you've enjoyed delving into the creative mind behind the captivating paranormal stories.

We hope these insights enhance readers' appreciation for stories that make the unknown feel so close. May the advice shared here spark aspiring writers' imaginations as they venture into their tales of the supernatural.

Whether you're here for the vampires, the supernatural chills, or the forbidden romances, one thing's for sure: you're in for a wild ride.

Stay tuned for what 2025 has in store—it's bound to be even more chilling, thrilling, and heart-stopping. Until then, keep your candles lit, your garlic closed, and your imaginations wide open. We all at the Paranormal Profile wish you a hauntingly happy New Year! 🎆🖤