Melanie Dickerson is an award-winning author who earned her bachelor’s degree in special education from The University of Alabama.
She has taught in Georgia, Tennessee, Germany and the Eastern European country of Ukraine.
A member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and Romance Writers of America (RWA), she now spends her time writing and taking care of her husband and two daughters near Huntsville, Alabama.
For more, visit her at www.melaniedickerson.com
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Savanna: Welcome to the blog, Melanie. We’re so glad you could join us today. Congratulations on your upcoming release, The Golden Braid. I can’t wait to read it!
Many readers enjoy picking their favorite quotes from novels. Do YOU have a particular favorite quote from The Golden Braid that you can share with us?
Melanie: Thanks, Savanna!
Taken out of context, this quote might sound cheesy, but it’s my favorite from The Golden Braid:
Instantly, a song rose inside her and she began to sing. She sang new words, a new song to God, in praise of his hope and his unfailing love. When she had sung for several minutes, she stopped and whispered, “I will never sing for Mother again, but I will sing to you, God, as long as I have hope.”
Savanna: That’s beautiful. I love stories that show characters worshiping God.
You’ve written several medieval fairy tale re-tellings. What was your favorite fairy tale when you were a child?
Melanie: My favorite Disney fairy tale movie was Sleeping Beauty, but as I got older, my favorite fairy tale was Beauty and the Beast.
Savanna: I think that’s one of my favorites too. After all, that library! 😉
If you could go back to any place in time and meet anyone, where would you go and who would it be?
Melanie: Jesus, of course. Seeing him and talking with him would be far more amazing than anything, ever. But I’d also like to meet Jane Austen and Charlotte Bronte and see England.
Savanna: What do you love most about your home state of Alabama?
Melanie: The people are friendly and easy-going and down to earth. And I would most definitely miss all the trees! I drove through Oklahoma once and was very sad for those people because there were so few trees! In Alabama, trees are everywhere. If you didn’t cut your front lawn, in a few months you’d have little trees growing all over it.
I love trees, but I do want to say that Alabamians are not afraid to cut them down and saw them up for paper. Trees grow back fast here! Trust me, environmentalists. No worries.
Savanna: Haha! I love trees too. You have some different ones than we have here in Missouri. I enjoy seeing the variety.
You’ve won multiple writing awards. What has been one of the greatest lessons and/or fondest memories from participating in these contests?
Melanie: Just seeing my friends smiling and looking so happy for me. It was very touching. And also getting to know other writers who were nominated and realizing what great people they are. I know I am in good company among Christian writers.
Savanna: I’m so happy you could join us today, Melanie. Is there anything else you’d like to share with us? Any upcoming projects?
Melanie: In addition to The Golden Braid, my Rapunzel retelling, I am coming out in February with a Regency romance, A Spy’s Devotion, which in addition to being a romantic suspense, is also an homage to Jane Austen. And in May The Beautiful Pretender releases, which is a sequel to The Huntress of Thornbeck Forest and a mash-up retelling of Princess and the Pea and Beauty and the Beast. Right now I’m writing a sequel to The Merchant’s Daughter, a Little Mermaid retelling.
Savanna: I think every book of yours is on my TBR List now! 😉 Happy writing!
GIVEAWAY!!
Melanie has graciously offered to give away one hardcover copy of The Golden Braid to one lucky winner. Enter below and the book could be yours!
Thanks for entering! Contest is open to U. S. residents only and ends November 24, 2015. The winner will be notified by email. Happy Reading, everybody!
Such a fun interview! I’m looking forward to those next books of yours, Melanie. 🙂
Thanks so much, Rachelle! And thanks, Savanna, for the blog interview! It was fun!
I’m so excited to have you here, Melanie. Hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving!
Hi Rachelle! I’m so happy you stopped by. Great to “see” you! 😉 Hope you get to read Melanie’s latest book real soon. Happy Thanksgiving!
I love Melanie’s comment about trees! I’m from KS but live in SC now. One of the things I love about going home is that I can actually see out!
Looking forward to checking out Melanie’s books!
Ha, Katy! I understand. It’s really what you’re used to. Sometimes the trees definitely do get in the way of the view! 🙂
I know what you mean, Katy. I used to live up in northern Missouri where there was a lot more open farm ground. Down here in the Ozarks, though, that’s a different story. 🙂 Good luck in the drawing!
I always give Melanie’s books to my daughter for her birthday and Christmas. Having The Spy’s Devotion coming out in February messes that up but I’m sure we’ll work it out somehow. We are big fans of Melanie’s fairy tale books. I’m looking forward to reading her Regency book as well, since I enjoy romantic suspense.
How fun to share the stories with your daughter! So glad you stopped by, Pam. Books make the best gifts, don’t they? 😉
I absolutely LOVE all of your books!! You are definitely my favorite author! The Christian/realistic twist on the classic fairy tales is genius! So entertaining, and my favorite part is that they are all connected! Can’t wait to see what comes next 😀
Yay!! So glad you could visit, Brooke. I can’t wait to read more of Melanie’s stories soon. They sound amazing! Good luck in the giveaway!
Thank you for a great interview! I don’t know whether you remember or not, Melanie, but you and I met at the RT convention back in the spring. We discussed our names and what a great book they came from. You are such a sweet lady and have a wonderful smile that you give freely. Thank you for this fabulous giveaway.
That’s so neat that you got to meet and visit with Melanie in person! 😉 It’s hard to forget those visits with your favorite authors, huh? Glad you could swing by, Melanie. Good luck and Happy Thanksgiving!
I can’t wait to check out this book!! Wow!! What a great character!
Melanie, I met you a few years back in Ohio for a Writer’s Conference. You were our keynote speaker! 🙂
How cool, Kim! I bet Melanie was a GREAT keynote speaker. 😉 You’re lucky! Thanks for stopping by. Hope you get to read this book soon!
I so enjoyed the interview and learning more about Melanie and her writing – thank you, Melanie and Savanna!!
I haven’t read any of Melanie’s books, and would love to begin by reading ‘The Golden Braid’ – thanks for the giveaway opportunity!!
Hi Bonnie! Well then, we need to get a book of Melanie’s in your hands, don’t we? 😉 I’m glad you enjoyed our little chat. I always appreciate you taking the time to visit. Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving, friend!
I’ve always loved Beauty and the Beast. When it first came out, I spend every night over Christmas break watching it over and over.
Melanie’s book looks great! I love the cover!!!!
Yes! Just talking about it here makes me want to go back and watch it again. 😉 Thanks so much for swinging by and commenting, Kathryn. Good luck to you!
My favorite fairy tale when I was growing up was Robin Hood because of the Disney animated movie. My mom even made me a dress with those characters on it. Thanks for the interview and giveaway!
How fun! Love it, Loraine! I always liked Robin Hood too, especially the tunes. 😉 Good luck in the drawing. Happy Reading!
I loved Cinderella as a little girl but I have since come to appreciate Beauty and the Beast. I look forward to reading The Golden Braid.
Thanks for this interview and giveaway.
Ah, yes, Cinderella. One of my early favorites as well. How can you not love Cinderella, right? Thanks for visiting, Connie! Hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving!
Melanie, congratulations on your release of THE GOLDEN BRAID! I am so excited. This was a fun interview. 🙂
I’m glad you stopped by, Caryl! 🙂 Doesn’t this book look amazing? Hope you get to read it soon. Have a great weekend!
I remember Rapunzel from my childhood! The Golden Braid sounds good!
Hi Joan! Then you must read The Golden Braid right away! 😉 Good luck in the drawing!
My favorite fairytale story as a child was Rapunzel .
Then this one is for you, Laurie! 😉 Good luck and have a great weekend!
Love this! “Instantly, a song rose inside her and she began to sing. She sang new words, a new song to God, in praise of his hope and his unfailing love.” So true.
I have always teased my husband about The Princess and the Pea ~ definitely fits me, if somethings off kilter I can tell.
Pick me, Pick me. 😀 Kathleen ~ Lane Hill House
Your comments made me smile, Kathleen. So happy you stopped by. I hope you get the chance to read this story real soon. Have a great Thanksgiving!
I read Noela Nancarrow’s review of this book over at Overcoming with God and I was hooked! Can’t wait to read this one.
Regency is my favorite genre, so I will be keeping my eyes on the lookout for A Spy’s Devotion! 🙂
Hi Anne! Yeah, some great reviews are already coming in. Love seeing that! Hope you get to read this one soon. I love Regency novels as well. 😉 Have a great weekend!
Love the interview.
Glad to hear it, Kim. Good luck in the drawing!
Great interview! That’s actually my fave quote from the book too! Love it! Savanna, I’ll be using your rafflecopter to tweet about this interview and giveaway, but no need to enter me into the giveaway. I already have a copy. Good luck to all! It’s a great one!
So glad you stopped in, Annie. That’s awesome! 😉 Just hopped over and checked out your great review. Love your blog, btw!
OK, forget what I said. I thought there’s a tweet button! Heheh.
I loved the interview. Thanks for the giveaway.
Thank you, Brenda, for joining us. Good luck and Happy Thanksgiving!
Cinderella has always been my favorite fairy tale.
One of my favorites, for sure! Thanks for visiting, Heather. Happy Reading!
Great interview. I would love to read The Golden Braid.
Thanks, Amanda. I hope you get to read it really soon! 😉 Good luck!
First off, let me share some author love for Melanie….squuueeeeeeeeeeeee!! Ok, now that I have that out of my way, I’m so excited to read this author interview today! I have two of your books on my shelf “The Captive Maiden” & “The Huntress of Thronbeck Forest” (as of yet-to-be-read). All the reviews I’ve seen and blog posts on any of your books is so positive that I can’t wait to delve into the stories for myself 🙂 I loved fairy tales as a kid (think Disney movies) so having some “grown-up” ones would be fantastic! I enjoyed your favorite quote from “The Golden Braid” because God does put a song in our hearts sometimes. I know for me, worship is a HUGE part of who I am in Christ. It really connects me more intimately to His heart & puts my mind on Him alone. Such communion with my God & King 🙂 Your quote already makes me want to read this story, win or no win!
Savanna what can I say that hasn’t already been said 🙂 I SO appreciate all the authors you interview. Your questions are insightful & delightful to read. To answer the Rafflecopter question: my favorite fairy tale is Sleeping Beauty or Snow White (hard to choose!). I guess because as a little girl, I wanted a dashing hero to come rescue me…haha!! And a kiss from such 😀 Thankfully, God granted me my own real life hero in my husband (awwwwwww). Thanks for taking time to come interview Melanie and for bringing us a fabulous writer Savanna! Blessings to you both!!
Hahaha, Trixi! You crack me up! 🙂 Feel free to share “author love” here whenever you want. That’s what this blog is all about! I can’t wait for you to read Melanie’s books soon. I’m sure you’ll love them. 🙂
I was just like you growing up… who doesn’t dream of her dashing hero to come rescue her, with love’s true kiss?! 🙂 So happy to hear God brought your real life hero to you! Hubbies are the best! 😉
Take care and talk to you more soon, I hope! Have a great weekend!
I always loved the story of Beauty and the Beast!
Me tooooo, Merry! I always loved the little side characters too. They were so cute! Thanks for joining us for the giveaway. Good luck!
I recently read the Healer’s Apprentice and I am already hooked on your books! You had such a great combination of intrigue, innocence, and growing faith.
I haven’t read that one yet, Beth. I’ll have to make sure that’s on my list. Thanks for sharing!
My older sister loves Melanie Dickerson’s books–I’ve yet to read them, but the idea behind them intrigues me. 🙂
I’m glad you could join us here, Amanda. I hope you’ll get the chance to read some of Melanie’s books soon. They’re such fun!
Thanks for the giveaway looks like a great read. Cinderella was My favorite Fairy Tale because She was Rescued and ended up Happy with a Great Life
Hi Linda! I know, talk about a Happy Ever After, right? 😉 Thanks for joining us for the giveaway. Good luck!
I live in Alabama, so I was excited to hear about a Christian fiction author from here. I have The Huntress of Thornbeck Forest, but have not yet read it. I won it in an auction at my children’s school and have it on my TBR shelf.
I’m sure I’ll just HAVE to read Melanie’s other books once I read this one!
How fun, Melissa! We’re so glad you could join us. 🙂 I too have The Huntress of Thornbeck Forest and am hurrying to read it soon! That’s so cool you won yours at an auction! Happy Reading!