I recently had the pleasure of talking with fellow
VHP author, Melinda Clayton. Melinda Clayton is the author of Appalachian Justice, Return
to Crutcher Mountain, Entangled
Thorns, and short story, Emma Puckett’s
Moment of Indiscretion. In addition
to writing, Melinda has an Ed.D. in Special Education Administration, and is a
licensed psychotherapist in the states of Florida and Colorado. Her vast experience working in the field of
mental health gives her a unique perspective on human behaviors, and she likes
to explore this dynamic in her writing.
Melinda lives in central Florida with her husband, two children, and
various cats.
When
you were a little girl, what did you want to “be” when you grew up?
Believe
it or not, I wanted to be a social worker and a writer. As a psychotherapist and writer, I've come
pretty close!
If
we were to poll ten people from your high school, how would they describe you
back then? If we were to poll ten people from your life now, how would they
describe you?
What
a great question! I went through a
definite rebellious phase my early years of high school, because my family had
moved and I had to switch schools. I
wasn't very happy about it. So people
who knew me from then would remember me as angry, probably, and a little
rebellious. People who knew me my later
years of high school would describe me as quiet, serious, studious. I suppose
I'd adjusted by then! People who know me
now would describe me as quiet, somewhat of a homebody, with a good sense of
humor if you know me well, but a tendency to be too serious. I think they would say that my family is my
priority.
You
worked as a Psychotherapist for eighteen years. Do you think that experience
helps you in developing the characters in your novels? Have you ever built a
character around the characteristics of one of your previous clients?
Love
this question! Yes, it definitely helps
me in developing characters. I haven't
built a character specifically from a previous client, but I do draw from my
experiences to try to portray the struggles my characters face in a realistic way. I have huge respect for the people with whom
I worked over the years; they showed incredible courage and tenacity in the
face of great trauma and adversity. My characters are made from bits and pieces
of the issues I assisted people in dealing with back when I was practicing.
If
you were told you could only have one more meal and then you’d never taste food
again…. What would that meal be?
Ha! That's easy.
I'd have a quarter pounder with cheese and large fries, from
McDonalds. I haven't had fast food like
that since I started watching what I eat about three years ago. It would probably make me sick at this point,
but it would be worth it!
How
does it feel to have your short story, Emma Puckett’s Moment of Indiscretion,
nominated for the Pushcart Prize?
It
feels a little surreal. But very, very cool!
Tell
us about one of your most embarrassing moments.
I
had to laugh remembering this one. I
used to work as the program director at an agency for people with developmental
disabilities located in Colorado Springs.
Every month the directors would take turns hosting a "Directors'
Meeting." The day it was our turn to hold the meeting, I set up the
conference room, put coffee on, set out the donuts, and finally took my seat on
one side of the table. Which promptly
fell apart. Seriously! The chair collapsed and I ended up on the
floor, caught somewhere between laughing and crying. I had forgotten we'd set that particular
chair aside to be fixed, and when I set up the table I retrieved it from where
it sat against the wall. I guess in
hindsight, it's a good thing it was me that ended up with it!
Where
can readers find about more about you and your books?
BLOGS:
BUY LINKS:
Thank you, Melinda, for chatting with me today and letting my blog friends get to know you a little better. Best of luck with the Pushcart Prize Nomination! Wishing you future success, health and happiness. :)
Thanks so much, Susan! I had the best time answering your questions!
ReplyDeleteMelinda
Seriously, Melinda--a quarter pounder with cheese? You'd hate it after the first bite if you haven't eaten fast "food" in 3 years. 8-) And Susan, I love reading your interviews because you tailor the questions to each author you interview instead of asking the tired same-old same-old. You actually learn something about an author, reading your chats. For this, I thank you.
ReplyDeleteOh, but that first bite would be absolute heaven! :-)
DeleteMelinda
I don't care what Smoky says, I wouldn't mind having a quarter pounder with cheese. But, setting that onn the back burner, what a fun interview, Susan and Melinda.
ReplyDeleteMalcolm
I'd share, Malcolm! You could have the rest of mine after that heavenly first bite.
ReplyDeleteMelinda
Quarter Pounder is good... but I like the Big Mac better...of course, it probably has three times the calories and fat intake. But, what the hell, we live once. :)
ReplyDelete