Do you have a nickname?
People have called me "Mel" for so long that my full name sounds weird to me.
What do you like to read?
A healthy mix of speculative fiction and nature-focused nonfiction. I just finished The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell (it wrecked me) and The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating by Elisabeth Tova Bailey. I'm currently digging Brian Evenson, Lauren Beukes, Carmen Maria Machado, Stephen Graham Jones, and Ted Chiang. I'm bad at building an expertise in a single author's body of work, and hop around a lot. However, for better or for worse, Stephen King probably got me into this mess.
What kind of stories do you write?
My writing thus far has featured a lot of body horror (or body wonder, depending on how you look at it) and transformations. I love inventing mutable bodies and flexing them in strange ways, and I also tend to portray human characters alongside non-human life.
How would you describe your personality?
Curious and eager, but prone to cynicism.
What would you do this summer if you hadn't been accepted to Clarion?
I would have kept my job as a veterinarian's assistant for an extra few months as I geared up to move and attend my MFA program in the fall. That plan would have entailed more $$$, but also more stress. I'm glad it worked out this way!
Who will miss you most while you're in San Diego (cats, kids, partner, boss, coworkers)?
My partner (Ian), dog/goblin (Watson), and very large cat (Cole).
Have you participated in an intensive writing workshop before?
Yes, but nothing as intensive as Clarion!
What scares you most about Clarion?
See above. Mostly, I worry about speeding up my writing pace (like Daniela, I tend to produce stories s l o w l y), and the inevitable FOMO that occurs when you have to choose cloistering yourself over socializing or attending events.
What do you do to relax or for recreation?
Read, watch awful/great police procedurals, play video games in which you raise and battle a team of friendly monsters, go for walks. I think I could get into birding, given the chance and a mentor.
What 1-2 essential things will you bring to Clarion besides your laptop, watergun, and espresso maker?
Comfortable, billowy clothing. I gotta thrift before I leave.
What is your ideal career?
One that blends writing all this weird stuff with doing social and/or environmental good. I have a longstanding dream of developing a free online forum-based roleplaying system (you laugh, but they're literally how I learned to write) that would get kids excited about crafting characters and stories. I'd also love to work with animals again. I don't know, I'll figure something out.
What else do you want us to know about you?
I've lived in Chicago for almost 20 years, but I won't be returning there after Clarion! Instead, I'll meet my partner mid-move on August 4th in Iowa City.
I've never been to San Diego. If there's an opportunity for whale-watching, I will definitely take it.
Congratulations on your MFA, Mel! I too, will be wearing billowy clothing that would need to be hung instead of tossed in the dryer. Excited to meet you!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Ploi! I'm psyched to meet amidst swathes of so much cloth, haha.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteSo excited to meet you, Mel! I, too, got started writing (and reading) largely thanks to King's stories. And I *love* The Sparrow.
ReplyDeleteSweet! I'd be interested to know what your favorite SK short story is (mine is probably "The Jaunt" ... and also, I *need* to talk about The Sparrow with someone, haha.
DeleteOh, I LOVE "The Jaunt". I actually have a tattoo based on his novella "N.", though I'm also extremely partial to "Gray Matter." I love the humor in that creature-feature.
DeleteSK's short stories have always appealed to me more than his novels. Guy has a gift! The one that sticks in my mind is from the recent collection - it's called "The Dune".
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
Delete"N" is sooo gooood. Actually haven't read "Gray Matter" or "The Dune," but I'll definitely do so before we meet up!
DeleteI haven't read "The Dune" yet either. I'm still working through The Bazaar. But I'm moving it to the top of my TBR pile now! Thanks for the rec :) --And I can't recommend "N." highly enough. It's in Just After Sunset, but the audio version is also fantastic. Super eerie. Makes me itchy just thinking about it. And as for "The Jaunt"...I'm still haunted by Mrs. Michaelson. *shivers*
DeleteBody horror as an ongoing creative theme is so intriguing. Granted, I have trouble watching 80's Cronenberg movies because I find them so stomach churning, but it's place in weird/speculative fiction is really exciting well to mine. I'm so excited to read your stuff!
ReplyDeleteI love me some Cronenberg (his version of "The Fly" is one of my absolute faves). Body horror for me is like the deep, deep ocean -- I'm so frightened of it that the fright becomes fascination and I can't ... look ... away. I'm excited to read your stuff too!
DeleteI would love to take you birding, as well as anyone else who doesn't mind an early morning get-up, and maybe some good group breakfast afterwards :) I don't specialize in birds, but I can bring some binoculars and my guide book.
ReplyDeleteCan I get in on this birding expedition? Sounds amazing.
Delete