Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Melodi Bac. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Melodi, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
I often feel as though I’m programmed to keep moving forward, to work relentlessly toward my dreams. Stopping—even for a moment—terrifies me, because I fear I’ll fall if I do. It may not make perfect sense, but the fear of standing still is far stronger than the fear of failing or not trying at all.
From a young age, I knew my life’s purpose was to write. When I stop, I feel disconnected from myself, as if I no longer recognize who I am. Writing gives me hope; it gives me direction and the strength to continue. I believe this is where my resilience comes from. Even when I fail, I rise and try again, because this is what I am meant to do. I am meant to write.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I’m a fantasy author and screenwriter, originally from Istanbul and now based in San Diego. I published my first fantasy novel at sixteen, and writing has been the constant thread of my life ever since. I work primarily in epic and romantic fantasy, creating immersive worlds shaped by power, mythology, and emotionally complex female protagonists.
What excites me most about my work is exploring how identity and choice evolve under pressure, especially within systems built on control, magic, and political power. My stories often center on themes of survival, love, transformation, forbidden connection, and the fight between good and evil. With a background in Film and Television and screenwriting studies at UCLA, I approach storytelling cinematically with strong visual language and layered world-building.
While I’ve authored seven books and received four awards, my only English-language title, Return of Anka, was published in over 30 countries last year. Right now, my focus is on expanding my work internationally; translating my other books and developing a new dragon-centered fantasy saga that blends political intrigue, enemies-to-lovers romance, and mythic magic systems.
As I translate the rest of the Anka Series, I cannot wait to introduce my new epic dragon book soon!
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
The first and most important skill to become a writer is patience. If you don’t have the patience to sit down and write 600 pages of a book, then the patience to find a publisher, and after that a little more patience to market your book, you are not cut out to be a writer. Sitting in front of a computer for hours and writing requires immense patience. You need to trust both the process and yourself in order to complete your book.
The second skill is dedication. Being a writer takes a great deal of effort and commitment. No one is going to push you to finish your book or make it better. You are constantly in competition with yourself and no one else. When you complete a novel, it doesn’t end there. It is your responsibility to tear apart what your past self wrote and rewrite it as your future self to make it better. This is a never-ending power play between you and you, but it pays off.
Lastly, you need to constantly feed yourself with new knowledge. This requires reading, watching, and traveling. If you don’t fuel yourself with other people’s artwork, new storylines in movies, or visits to inspiring places, you may eventually feel stuck in your writing.
What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?
To be completely honest, I had to pause working on my projects for a while, and the biggest challenge I’m facing right now is starting again. In this field, there is no right or wrong—no single correct path—so you often have to trust your gut. After taking such a long break, I’m finding it difficult to find my rhythm again.
I’m trying to approach this obstacle the same way I approach any other: by making a list of the things that need to be done. I wrote down all my ideas and started creating a roadmap for myself. The second thing I’m doing is slowing down and taking a deep breath. In difficult situations, I tend to panic and feel unsure about my next move. This time, instead of panicking, I’m taking things one step at a time. Some days I don’t do much, and other days I take steady steps toward what I want. I’ve removed the sense of urgency, and that has helped clear my mind. When my mind is clearer and my soul feels refreshed, I make better decisions.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://melodibac.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melodibac/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melodibackitaplari
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melodibac95/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@melodi.bac
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
