Melina Druga | Updates

An Interview with Lucretia: The Main Character of The Unmarriable Kind

Melina Druga — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 15:12:35 -0400

As the author of The Unmarriable Kind, I spent a lot of time inside Lucretia Goodwin’s head — but today, I’m giving her the floor. Known for her opinionated nature, Lucretia has agreed to answer a few questions about her life in 1884. Let’s see how honest she’s willing to be.

Here’s a closer look inside the pages.

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An exclusive interview with Timothy Webber

Melina Druga — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 14:56:45 -0400

Timothy stopped by Confessions of an Indie Author to discuss his book, How Timmy Became a Bear.

“I wrote How Timmy Became a Bear to show my support for a friend who has a speech impediment,” he says. “He is always getting frustrated because people treat him differently and never try to understand what he says. I wanted to show him that he does matter and he is enough no matter what other people say or do. I think the story captures that fairly well.”

Join us over on Substack to read the full interview.

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How to Spot Scams Targeting Authors

Melina Druga — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 14:25:42 -0400

Do you know how to spot scams targeting authors? In my latest Substack post, I show you how using eight real examples.

Join me over on Substack, and let me know what you think.

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The Thing They Want Scares Them The Most

Melina Druga — Fri, 29 May 2026 12:42:34 -0400

Love shouldn’t be scary, yet it is for two people whose last relationships ended unhappily. In this excerpt from my steamy women’s fiction novel, Rock Star Romance, main character Cassie and her love interest, Nat, find themselves at a fork in the road. Continue their courtship or let it die?

One of the most rewarding scenes to write in the novel was this one. It marks the moment when Cassie and Nat must confront their wish to continue their relationship without sounding clingy, pushy or desperate. Quite a feat for two people who have out of the dating for a while.

I hope this gives you a meaningful glimpse into their state of mind.

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An Exclusive Interview With French Alabrooks

Melina Druga — Wed, 27 May 2026 15:36:26 -0400

French stopped by Confessions of an Indie Author to discuss her writing career.

“I allow my characters to ‘speak’ to me throughout the day,” she says. “When they are silent, I may not write as much as I would like to.

Join us over on Substack to read the full interview.

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What I Don’t Understand About Books

Melina Druga — Mon, 25 May 2026 11:28:51 -0400

I’ve been around the block a time or two, but in my latest Substack post, What I Don’t Understand About Books, I list nine things I really don’t understand.

Join me over on Substack, and let me know what you think.

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An Interview with Hayley: The Main Character of My Best Friend’s Brother

Melina Druga — Fri, 22 May 2026 15:05:20 -0400

As the author of My Best Friend’s Brother, I spend a lot of time inside Hayley Hancock’s head — but today, I’m giving them the floor. Known for being the girl next door, Hayley has agreed to answer a few questions about her life at the start of the novel. Let’s see what she tells us.

Here’s a closer look inside the pages.

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An Exclusive Interview With Vanessa Lanang

Melina Druga — Wed, 20 May 2026 15:15:53 -0400

Vanessa stopped by Confessions of an Indie Author to discuss her recent release, It Waits in the Dark.

“I grew up reading books that I rarely, if ever, saw myself represented in,” she says. “I never really thought much about it until I started writing books seeking publication and found a wonderful community of Filipino writers and readers throughout the process. Not only did I want to see characters like myself represented in stories, but also introduce readers to my culture and especially the food. I feel like no matter where you’re from there’s always a way to find connection through food.”

Join us over on Substack to read the full interview.

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Technology’s Impact on Freelance Writing

Melina Druga — Mon, 18 May 2026 14:44:03 -0400

In my latest Substack post, Technology’s Impact on Freelance Writing, I examine who freelance writing has changed since I first began more than a decade ago.

Highlights:

Writing has merged with marketing
Clients seek specialists, not generalists
Websites that were once free now make you pay to find work
There are more scams than real jobs
Most editing jobs are editing AI’s, not human’s, writing

Join me over on Substack, and let me know what you think.

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The Truth They Only Admit Under Pressure

Melina Druga — Fri, 15 May 2026 12:28:38 -0400

Post-war life comes with post-war truths. In this excerpt from my historical fiction, women’s fiction novel, Adjustment Year, main character Hettie faces the consequences of marrying a man she barely knows.

This scene takes place at a pivotal moment for Hettie when she feels she is at wits’ end dealing with an unhappy marriage. Both Hettie and her second husband Alfred are dealing with what today we call PTSD. Throughout the novel, Hettie must face emotions she could not during the Great War while Alfred buries himself in work. In addition, they come from different backgrounds, and this causes conflict. Has either admitted to the other that they need help? That their relationship needs fixed? No. This is 1919 after all. You’re expected to keep a stiff upper lip and shoulder the burden in silence.

I hope this scene gives you a meaningful glimpse into Hettie and Alfred’s relationship.

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An Exclusive Interview With Jennifer Drewett

Melina Druga — Wed, 13 May 2026 15:32:55 -0400

Jennifer stopped by Confessions of an Indie Author to discuss her next release, the second book in a series revolving around an autistic, plus sized, polyamorous midwife.

“I’ve had the idea for the main character since I was 15,” she says, “although she has changed throughout the proceeding 20+ years. Like with most of my other work, I am passionate about writing neurodivergent main characters in a landscape where we’re often ignored or the butt of a joke.”

Join us over on Substack to read the full interview.

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How Angel of Mercy Combines Fact and Fiction

Melina Druga — Mon, 11 May 2026 14:29:04 -0400

Historical fiction sometimes hedges its bets.

In my latest Substack post, How Angel of Mercy Combines Fact and Fiction, I discuss what was factual and what wasn’t when it comes to nursing during WW1.

Highlights:

Changes I made to reality to suit the plot
What nursing schools were like in the 1910s
A brief history of the Canadian Army Nursing Service

Join me over on Substack, and let me know what you think.

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An Interview with Rose: The Main Character of Rose’s Assignment

Melina Druga — Fri, 08 May 2026 10:11:55 -0400

When I first imagined Rose Goodwin, I knew she would be defined by her motivation to help at all costs. In Rose’s Assignment, that trait drives much of the story’s tension. Today, I’m “interviewing” Rose to explore what lies beneath the choices readers see on the page.

Here’s a closer look behind the scenes.

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An Exclusive Interview With Irene Hill

Melina Druga — Wed, 06 May 2026 13:58:22 -0400

Irene stopped by Confessions of an Indie Author to discuss her recently release, Cold Vows.

“Writing is absolutely for my soul,” she says. “And, I write about a character with alcoholism. Some of the most damaging adults in my life growing up were alcoholics and addicts. When I started developing this character, I planned to write his sobriety journey and then have him do right by the people in his life. Somehow, I thought if he made the right choices, it would heal my wounds. But he chose violence and hasn’t stayed sober throughout all the books. He’s hurt the people he loves the most, and he’s had to make amends. And it turns out, writing that journey has healed me a lot more than the redemption arc I thought he should have.”

Join us over on Substack to read the full interview.

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Finishing a Draft Matters More Than Loving It

Melina Druga — Mon, 04 May 2026 15:58:39 -0400

Struggling to write that book?

In my latest Substack post, Finishing a Draft Matters More Than Loving It, I explain why finishing a rough draft is better than perfection.

Highlights:

Fear stops many aspiring authors
It’s a mindset
I share my experience

Join me over on Substack, and let me know what you think.

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What They Knew Before They Were Ready to Admit It

Melina Druga — Fri, 01 May 2026 15:43:46 -0400

What if you knew your relationship had an expiration date? That’s exactly the dilemma main character Cassie and her boyfriend Corey face in my steamy women’s fiction novel, Mr. Right is a Myth. Cassie soon will be graduating college and moving on while Corey will remain behind to study for his doctorate. The couple knew this since the beginning, so why is it so difficult to admit aloud?

In the excerpt below, the couple must confront for the first time that their time together is running out. In crafting it, I wanted to explore their mixed emotions.

I hope the scene gives you a meaningful glimpse into a relationship that is on the brink of change.

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An Exclusive Interview With N.D. Testa

Melina Druga — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 14:48:24 -0400

N.D. stopped by Confessions of an Indie Author to discuss The Sapphora Series.

“It’s a romantasy that combines Egyptian mythology and sorcery, epic adventures and mystery,” she said. “I wanted more fantasy books that feature strong female heroines. I grew up reading Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, and Eragon. I wanted to see a female version of these types of books so I created one. I decided to incorporate Egyptian mythology because I always loved learning about it but never saw many fiction books featuring it. I have always been a lover of magic and sorcery so that was important to incorporate in my books.”

Join us over on Substack to read the full interview.

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Life in the 1880s: Creating the World Featured in The Unmarriable Kind

Melina Druga — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 14:10:22 -0400

In my latest Substack post, Life in the 1880s: Creating the World Featured in The Unmarriable Kind, I explain what life was like for the average person in the 1880s.

Highlights:

It was a period of recovery from a global depression
Canadians push west
The dollar purchased more but rent was high
Child labor laws went into effect
Technology was increasingly what we consider modern
The bustle was in fashion

Join me over on Substack, and let me know what you think.

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An Interview with Alexis: The Main Character of I Don’t Hate You

Melina Druga — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 14:32:55 -0400

As the author of I Don’t Hate You, I spend a lot of time inside Alexis McNeil’s head — but today, I’m giving her the floor. Known for her rough childhood, Alexis has agreed to answer a few questions about her life at the start of the novel. Let’s see what she tells us.

Here’s a closer look inside the pages.

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An Exclusive Interview With Christopher Link

Melina Druga — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 15:47:34 -0400

Christopher stopped by Confessions of an Indie Author to discuss his book, Coming Out of the Illusion: Realizing the Real You.

“I had a personal spiritual awakening experience and I wanted to be in service to others through my gift with creative writing,” he says, “The name of the story is simply my book title.”

Join us over on Substack to read the full interview.

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