I’ve always known I was shy. As a child and well into my thirties, I always felt “less than,” uncomfortable in my own skin, so hyper aware of my own flaws that it was hard to make friends and almost impossible to feel at ease in social situations. That’s a hard way to live, and I’m happy to say I’ve gotten better over the years. But I’m still somewhat shy and it still affects my life. I was reminded of that recently when I attended a breakfast at my son’s school. I already knew many of the parents, but still...
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I’m a member of SCBWI, which stands for the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. This international organization holds regional conferences throughout the year where writers and illustrators of children’s books (and here “children” includes young adult) gather to learn from and schmooze with more famous writers, illustrators, agents, and editors. Florida has two conferences a year, plus “boot camp” workshops throughout the state. I’ve been attending SCBWI conferences since 2013, and I can’t say enough about how much I’ve learned from attending all the workshops and hearing all the inspirational speeches. The conferences have also helped me gain...
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As a novelist for young adults, I spend a lot of time trying to recapture the emotions I had in high school. For me, there wasn’t much joy in being a teen. I wrote poetry back then, and a lot of what I wrote captures my self-loathing and fear and confusion. I sometimes wrote about wanting to get life over with. But I also wrote about hope. I hoped things would get better. I only half-believed they would. So if I could go back in time and talk to my teenage self, this is what I’d say: All those feelings...
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Sometimes it feels like my creativity is drying up—or that I never had much creativity to begin with. Where do story ideas come from? Why aren’t I brimming with new ideas? These are the questions I’ve recently been asking myself, and I’ve been trying to find ways to feed my creativity. A few years ago, a writer friend of mine who I admire and respect recommended a certain “spiritual path to higher creativity” called the Artist’s Way that basically involves journaling three pages every morning and taking yourself on an “artist’s date” once a week. There was an Artist’s Way...
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I write for teens, so it’s important that I stay in touch with my teenage self. Now that my son is a teenager, I catch myself observing him sometimes as though I’m a behavioral scientist. But I also rely on memories of what it was like for me back in the day. I say “back in the day” as though I have fond memories of high school—when actually my teenage years were a series of embarrassing events punctuated by flashes of terror. All those insecurities and fears, all that pressure to fit in and be liked. So why do I...
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“Melody Maysonet’s presentation for our students was terrific. Students loved meeting and interacting with her, and Melody’s background as a teacher certainly showed in not only her prepared presentation but also her Q & A. Her presentation was interesting, relevant, and not to be missed.” –Cathy Castelli High School Teacher, Atlantic Technical High School “Melody Maysonet provided my students with a tremendous learning experience filled with creative inspiration!” –Jean Brodie MA Language Arts Department, Coral Springs High School “Melody Maysonet provided an engaging and entertaining presentation for our library’s teen audience. In addition to sharing her own experiences as an author,...
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Girls In Capes Interview with Melody Maysonet, author of A WORK OF ART girlsincapes.com Cynsations New Voice—An Interview with Melody Maysonet on A Work of Art cynthialeitichsmith.blogspot.com TheYoungFolks.com, interview with the author of A WORK OF ART theyoungfolks.com “Decatur Native to Publish First Novel,” an interview with Re: Decatur redecatur.com...
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Feel free to download any of the following items for media use. If you need further assistance, please contact me via the contact form page. Cover Art Headshot Author Profile Author Q&A Press Release Praise Sheet Chapter One Excerpt from A WORK OF ART...
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Discussion Guide for A WORK OF ART http://www.melodymaysonet.com/?p=479 Uncommon YA: Gutsy YA fiction by traditionally published authors who tell it like it is http://uncommonya.com/ 2015 YA and MG Debut Authors https://fearlessfifteeners.wordpress.com/ Resources/Statistics for Victims of Abuse http://www.melodymaysonet.com/resources-for-victims-of-child-sexual-abuse/ Discussion Guide for A WORK OF ART http://www.melodymaysonet.com/?p=479...
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