Meet Mel Todd | Author

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mel Todd and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mel, what’s one piece of conventional advice that you disagree with?
One of the things you’ll find with writing is a do this or that mentality. Don’t use adverbs, don’t double space, only use said, write to market. As a newbie it can seem over whelming at all the things to remember to do. The more books I write, the more I disagree with a lot of the “common” advice.

Adverbs: people use them all the time. They are sometimes the easiest way to convey information. Rather than saying “don’t” take a look and see if there is a stronger way to present the action.

Double space: Oh people get over this. For two generations where we learned to type on typewriters it is automatic. Let people double space all they want. Once it is done you can do a find and replace to drop it to one space.

Said: It is true your eyes will glide over it, just like the word of. But your ears won’t. As more and more books are turned into audio books, that word in a dialogue heavy book can become painful. Also by using muttered or mumbled, it gives the narrator clues as how to deliver that bit of speech.

Write to Market: If the current trend is something you at least enjoy and you can get a book out in six months or so, then go for it. But if you like romcoms and the trend is apocalypse fiction – you will have a hard time writing. At the end of the day write what you enjoy then find the market for it.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I guess the bottom line is write the stories that are what you would like to read. Everyone has different tastes but if you are writing the stories you hunger for you will enjoy the process more and will find fans. Putting your work, your ideas, out there for the world to see is never easy. Ignore the bad and embrace the people that love you. There is no story or book ever that is universally loved. My example is avocados. Lots of people love avocados. I can’t stand them. Every book is like that. Some people will love it others hate it and the majority will be meh. It is okay. Keep going and have faith in yourself, try to improve with every sentence and remember that you only fail if you quit.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
In Atlanta? the problem with living in a city is you never go to the fun spots. But I will say World of Coke is amusing for something different. Fernbank museum is always fun. If you want low key and cheap Marietta market on Saturdays is excellent. Oh it just depends on what you like to do.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I have been blessed in having a family that has supported my crazy dream of writing. I never believed it as a valid career choice until the Kindle appeared. But my husband and parents never doubted me. I guess they were right, but I miss them all and wish I could share my success with them now.

Website: www.badashpublishing.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/badashbooks

Twitter: www.x.com/badashbooks

Facebook: www.facebook.com/badashbooks

Youtube: www.youtube.com/@badashbooks

Other: My store – https://bad-ash-publishing.myshopify.com/