Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself.

Melonie Johnson
I’m a Star Wars junkie and Shakespeare groupie. Known as #thewritinglush, I love dark coffee, cheap wine, and expensive beer. And margaritas. And mimosas. And mules. Basically any cocktail that starts with the letter m. I met my future husband in that most romantic of places—the mall—when we were teenagers working in stores across the hall from each other. Today, we live happily ever after in the magical land midway between Chicago and Milwaukee with our two redhead daughters, a dog that’s more like a small horse, and a pair of hermit crabs. After teaching high school English and Theatre for several years, now I write smart and funny contemporary romance and moonlights as an audiobook narrator under the pseudonym, Evelyn Eibhlin. Declared a “writer to watch” by Kirkus and a “fizzy, engrossing new voice” by Entertainment Weekly, my debut series, SOMETIMES IN LOVE, has appeared on the Amazon Best Books of the month, and been featured in Cosmopolitan and Woman’s World. Watch for my next romantic comedy, TOO GOOD TO BE REAL, out July 6, 2021.

When you are writing a book, which is harder? The first book in the series or the others after it?

Even though later books in a series have more logistical challenges because you are juggling multiple books at various stages of the publication process, starting a new series is harder because you are getting to know the characters, establishing the world, defining relationships, etc. It takes time and drains a lot of creativity.

What comes first? The plot or characters

Almost always the characters.

What author would you love to meet (Who is your unicorn author)?

I have been so lucky to meet several of my most favorite authors, including Karen Marie Moning Diana Galbadon, and Laura Kinsale.

If you could ask that author three questions about their writing, writing process, or books, what would they be?

1. What are your tricks for making the words flow when “writer’s block” hits?
2. Which of your books would you choose to be made into a movie?
3. If you could write outside your published genres, what would you try?

What is harder? The blurb writing, naming the book, or naming the series.

Crafting the blurb! So tricky to boil it down to the right bits and tie it up in a neat package.

What is your favorite memory so far as an author?

Romance Game Night at the Strand Bookstore in NYC

What is your definition of success?

A fan base with readers who connect with my stories and love my books.

What are your social links?

Book Bub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/melonie-johnson
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewritinglush/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/MelonieFJohnson/_saved/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MelonieJohnson
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MelonieWrites/

What are your buy links?

Too Good to be Real: toogoodtobereal.com
Sometimes in Love series:
Getting Hot with the Scot: https://meloniejohnson.com/books/sometimes-in-love-2/getting-hot-with-the-scot/
Smitten by the Brit: https://meloniejohnson.com/books/sometimes-in-love-2/smitten-by-the-brit/
Once Upon a Bad Boy: https://meloniejohnson.com/once-upon-a-bad-boy/