Rosewood by Melanie Carter Winkler
Manifest alumna publishes first novel.
Melanie Carter Winkler has become a published author with the self-published first novel, Rosewood. Based in Perth, Western Australia, Melanie attended Manifest in 2011 and in 2012 and can now share her success with those in the creative arts festival community. She talks about the novel in this q’n’a.
When did you decide to become a novelist?
Mum sent me a book, which I loved reading so much I explored the author’s website. The author explained in some detail what a proposal and a synopsis were. That got me thinking maybe I could write a book. I’d read enough to know I had some stories to tell.
How long have you been writing Rosewood?
Rosewood’s been a long time coming. I started more than five years ago but found it difficult deciding where I wanted it to go. I realised after listening to Kay Rizzo [one of the speakers at Manifest in 2011] that I had to finish what I’d started, so I gave myself a deadline.
What writing challenges did you face?
I knew my characters would be going to church on Saturday—in almost every inspirational romance I’ve read, they go to church on Sunday. I didn’t want to get into a deep theological discussion about it, so I didn’t make the Sabbath an issue, but I was concerned about how readers would respond to that. Then I read a review of the book on Amazon, which allayed the concern.
What have you learned in the self-publishing process?
You’re your own editor, so you’ve got to find and fix your own mistakes. And getting your book out there and encouraging people want to buy it is hard work.
You’ve been to all the previous Manifests. How has the festival contributed to your creative experience?
Kay Rizzo help me a lot. She’s primarily a fiction writer, and she’s a Seventh-day Adventist, so hearing her talk about her work was encouraging. I’ve also enjoyed networking with other writers and with people who don’t think you’re weird when you say you’re a writer.
Rosewood is available as a paperback or an e-book on Amazon or as an e-book on Smashwords.
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