Please join me in welcoming my good friend, Melodie Campbell:
GO AWAY, SPACE ANGEL! I’M TRYING TO WRITE CRIME
By Melodie Campbell
A funny thing happened on the way to the
crime book: it became a sci-fi/romance novella.
crime book: it became a sci-fi/romance novella.
That’s the funny thing about being a
fiction writer. Sometimes you don’t pick
your characters – they pick you.
fiction writer. Sometimes you don’t pick
your characters – they pick you.
I was sitting at my desk, minding my own
business, when…no, that’s not how it happened.
business, when…no, that’s not how it happened.
It was far worse.
“Write a spy novel!” said the notable crime
reviewer (one of that rare breed who still has a newspaper column.) We were yapping
over a few drinks last spring. “A funny
one. Modesty Blaise meets Maxwell Smart.”
reviewer (one of that rare breed who still has a newspaper column.) We were yapping
over a few drinks last spring. “A funny
one. Modesty Blaise meets Maxwell Smart.”
“Sure!” I said, slurping Pinot by the $16
glass.
glass.
And I intended to. Truly I did.
I tried all summer. I even met with a former CSIS operative to get the
scoop on the spy biz (think CIA, but Canada – yes, he was polite.) Wrote for two months solid. The result was…kinda flat.
I tried all summer. I even met with a former CSIS operative to get the
scoop on the spy biz (think CIA, but Canada – yes, he was polite.) Wrote for two months solid. The result was…kinda flat.
I started to hate it.
Then, in the middle of the night (don’t you
find this always happens in the middle of the night?) a few characters started
popping up. Colourful, fun characters,
from another time. They took my mind by siege.
“GO AWAY,” I told them. “I’m trying to write a crime book!”
find this always happens in the middle of the night?) a few characters started
popping up. Colourful, fun characters,
from another time. They took my mind by siege.
“GO AWAY,” I told them. “I’m trying to write a crime book!”
They didn’t. It was a criminal sit-in. They wouldn’t leave until I agreed to write
their tale.
their tale.
So the modern day spy novel became a futuristic gal who runs a bar on a
space-station, but is also a spy story!
With romance and a lot of laughs, of course.
space-station, but is also a spy story!
With romance and a lot of laughs, of course.
Two more months spent in feverish
writing. Another two in rewrites. Then another, to convince my publisher that
the project had legs.
writing. Another two in rewrites. Then another, to convince my publisher that
the project had legs.
CODE
NAME: GYPSY MOTH is the result. Yet another crossing the genres escapade.
NAME: GYPSY MOTH is the result. Yet another crossing the genres escapade.
Written by me, and a motley crew of night
visitors.
visitors.
CODE NAME: GYPSY MOTH
It isn’t easy being a female
barkeep in the final frontier…especially when you’re also a spy!
Nell Romana loves two things: running
the Blue Angel Bar, and Dalamar, a notorious modern-day knight for hire.
Too bad he doesn’t know she is actually an undercover agent. When Dalamar
is called away on a routine job, Nell uncovers a rebel plot to overthrow the
Federation. She has to act fast and alone.
Then the worst happens. Her
cover is blown, and more than their love is at stake…
Bio: Melodie Campbell
The Toronto Sun called her Canada’s “Queen
of Comedy.” Library Journal compared her
to Janet Evanovich. Melodie Campbell got
her start writing standup. She has over
200 publications and nine awards for fiction.
Code Name: Gypsy Moth (Imajin
Books) is her eighth book.
of Comedy.” Library Journal compared her
to Janet Evanovich. Melodie Campbell got
her start writing standup. She has over
200 publications and nine awards for fiction.
Code Name: Gypsy Moth (Imajin
Books) is her eighth book.
Buy Code
Name: Gypsy Moth today and get Rowena
and the Dark Lord free! (I love to
introduce readers to my other series.
Email me at mcampbell50@cogeco.ca
with proof of purchase and I will gift you Rowena
and the Dark Lord.)
Name: Gypsy Moth today and get Rowena
and the Dark Lord free! (I love to
introduce readers to my other series.
Email me at mcampbell50@cogeco.ca
with proof of purchase and I will gift you Rowena
and the Dark Lord.)
Thank you so much for this profile, Sheri! The book has launched now, I'm happy to say. Really hope you like it 😉
WOOHOO–looking forward to reading this one.