Episode 223: The Imaginary Friend as Narrator — Interview with Melanie Moyer

by Gabriela Pereira
published in Podcast

Hey there word nerds!

Today I have the pleasure of speaking with Melanie Moyer. Melanie is a debut author and veteran ghostwriter.

She graduated from the University of Pittsburgh where she studied Creative Writing, Religious Studies, Folklore, and Russian History. She regularly co-hosts a horror pop culture podcast called Splatter Chatter, serves as a co-host on the animation podcast Overly Animated, and regularly contributes pop culture pieces to Just About Write.

Melanie and I will be talking about her debut YA novel The Rules of Me, a fascinating novel with a unique point of view choice. Click below to listen.

In this episode Melanie and I discuss:

  • The process of going from a short story drafted in college to a novel written years later.
  • Point of view challenges that come with making the narrator be the main character’s imaginary friend.
  • How this unconventional point of view choice ultimately enriches the narrative experience.
  • The different pairs of characters that frame the story.
  • The art and craft of world building and how to create rules for your characters.
  • Navigating the workshop experience, with both its pros and cons.
  • Writing for a YA audience and how to respect that reader’s point of view.

Plus, Melanie’s #1 tip for writers.

About Melanie Moyer

Melanie Moyer is a debut author and veteran ghostwriter. She graduated from the University of Pittsburgh where she studied Creative Writing, Religious Studies, Folklore, and Russian History. She regularly co-hosts a horror pop culture podcast called Splatter Chatter, serves as a co-host on the animation podcast Overly Animated, and regularly contributes pop culture pieces to Just About Write.

She has had work published by Ghost Parachute and is currently working on her next project, refining her pizzaiolo skills, and wondering if it’s too late to pursue her childhood dream of being an Egyptologist.

To connect with Melanie check out her website at melaniemoyer.squarespace.com. You an also follow her on Twitter and Instagram.

The Rules of Me

Gabe keeps lists: why he’s real, reasons he’s not, and the rules that seem to dictate his strange existence. Danny says he’s her imaginary friend and that’s always been enough for the pair of them.

But when she enters high school and a world of stress, turbulent emotions, and surprising first crushes, he finds himself asking questions and wanting things he never has before. His search for answers about where he comes from and why he’s here becomes critical as Danny faces a profound personal loss and they both begin to understand growing up means sacrifice and learning truths you never wanted to know.

If you decide to check out the book, we hope you’ll do so via this Amazon affiliate link, where if you choose to purchase via the link DIY MFA gets a referral fee at no cost to you. As always, thank you for supporting DIY MFA!

 

Link to Episode 223

(Right-click to download.)

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Until next week, keep writing and keep being awesome!

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