Today, I am interviewing author and freelance writer, Melina Druga. Melina has authored two business advice books, a book on WWI, and a true crime history book. The first book in her WWI historical fiction trilogy is available now, with books two and three coming October 12th 2020 and April 2021. Read her interview below to learn what drew her to write about the late 19th and early 20th centuries and which author she would love to meet.
What is your favorite historical event?
I’m a huge lover of history, to the point that I consider myself an amateur historian, but I don’t have a favorite historical event. That’s because I prefer to study how life was for ordinary people, and history books are full of famous people as well as political and military events. I want to know what it was like in the quiet moments, in everyday life. Since I write from a woman’s perspective, specifically, what was life like for women? What opportunities did they have? What barriers and challenges did they face? What brought them joy or sadness? How did they dress? What did they do for fun?
With two business advice books under your belt, what is your favorite piece of advice for entrepreneurs?
Not so much advice, but a dose of reality. No one will love your business the way you do, so don’t expect to rely on friends and family’s support. You’ll work harder for yourself than for any employer, without pay for months or years, and still there is no guarantee of success.
Your novels are set in the late 19TH and early 20th centuries – what drew you to that era?
I am drawn to the period 1890-1920 because it is both familiar and antiquated. Nearly every technology we have today was in existence then, just in an earlier form. It’s also a time of great societal and political change. That period also corresponds with my main character’s lifetime. Hettie was born in 1892, and we last see her on New Year’s Day 1920.
Is writing your primary source of income? If so, do you have any advice for those seeking to make it their primary income?
Yes and no. It is my only source of income, but we are a two income household, and my husband is the breadwinner.
If you could rewrite any moment in history, what would it be?
That’s a tough one. I’m sure you’ve heard of the butterfly effect. People, for example, often say things like they would go back in time and kill Hitler. If that happened, I wouldn’t exist because my grandparents meet when American citizens were evacuated from Europe during WWII. They were born in different states and never would have met otherwise. So, you can’t go back in time and rewrite just one event, because every event is connected to numerous other events. That’s a power I don’t really want to have.
What has been your experience with freelance writing? Do you write for a particular industry? How do you find work?
I have been freelance writing since 2011, although I dabbled in it prior to that. I’m a generalist as far as industry goes. I specialize in blog posts, news stories and news briefs as well as newsletter articles. I have found work via LinkedIn and responding to job ads. Prospective clients are welcome to contact me directly as well.
What was the last book you read?
I’m currently in the process of reading a book on marketing.
How have you been spending quarantine?
Writing. My career is one of the few things I have control over right now, so I’ve been pouring all my available time into it. I put in about a seven hour day in the morning/afternoon doing client work and fiction. Then around 9 p.m., I start writing again and put in another five to seven hours. I’m also taking the time to learn more about the paid marketing options that are available to me. And I’m launching the second novel in my WWI Trilogy in October, and the third book in April.
What is one thing you would like to do, but have never done?
There are so many places I’d love to travel to. I’ve never been farther west than Nashville, and I’ve never been out of North America.
If you could receive advice from any author (living or dead,) who would it be and what would you ask them?
My favorite author is Edith Wharton, and I would really like to have a conversation with her. I don’t think I would ask her about writing, though. She wrote a book on the subject, so I already know her views. She lived through the Gilded Age, so I’d love to pick her brain about what the era was like. She’d be the best historical research source ever.
For more information on Melina’s work, check out her social media at the links below and don’t forget to support her by purchasing her works.
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Melina-Druga/e/B00FSFCJOW
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/MelinaDruga
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melinadruga/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MelinaDruga
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDl0TprzCEr0cgjYI-dbymw?view_as=subscriber
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/MelinaDruga/
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/MelinaDruga
C.M. Rushi 