We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Melodi Bac a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Melodi, thanks for taking the time to share your lessons with our community today. So, let’s jump right in – one of the most essential skills for unlocking our potential is self-discipline. Where does your self-discipline come from?
Self-discipline is a mandatory requirement for a writer, as there won’t be someone urging you to sit at your computer and start crafting stories. You have to create a story, draft it out, and write. Most days you won’t get praised for your work, so you just have to keep going and going. Writing is for people who don’t mind late gratification and in such challenging circumstances, sometimes it is hard to find the self-discipline to sit down in front of your work and face the blank page. Personally, self-discipline comes from my passion for literature and storytelling. I cannot image a world where I don’t write or create. Even when I don’t have the motivation to write, I try to awaken my creativity by reading novels, attending plays, and watching movies. I consistently remind myself of the real reason behind my craft. I write because these stories HAVE TO reach people. Ultimately, the more readers my books engage, the greater my sense of fulfillment. Therefore, I firmly believe that my profound passion for storytelling serves as the key to my self-discipline.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I proudly hold the distinction of being Turkiye’s youngest fantasy novelist. At the age of 13, I wrote my first novel, and shortly after the literary critics named me “Turkiye’s J.K. Rowling”. Even at a young age, I dreamt of becoming a worldwide known writer. After publishing 5 books and working with the best publishing houses in Turkiye, I moved to Los Angeles to pursue a degree in Screenwriting at UCLA.
Here I embarked on my career as an editor and a translator. While having the privilege of working for world-renowned companies as an editor and translator, I won 2 awards for my “Anka Series” (Consist of 5 books), and 1 award for a screenplay I wrote. During the pandemic, I relocated to San Diego where I met my husband.
Nowadays, I am diligently crafting the final installment of the “Anka Series” while gearing up to publish the first book of the “Anka Series” in America. Titled “Return of Anka”, my award-winner book will be published by Olympia Publisher and will be available worldwide on all online platforms and bookstores by the summer of 2024.
I cannot begin to express my excitement about my upcoming books. For those intrigued by my journey, I invite them to follow me on Instagram (@melodibac) or explore my website at melodibac.com.
A little bit about my book “Return of Anka”: On Earth, Carmen remains oblivious to the fact that she carries the soul of Anka, the powerful spirit of the son of the mighty Phoenix. Legend has it, that the Phoenix bird was born on the planet Crictus. He fulfilled the Queen of Crictus’ wish by giving her two sons: Anka and Inca. Blessed with their father’s extraordinary abilities, the twins bore mortal bodies but immortal souls. Tragedy struck with the queen’s demise, leading to an enduring war between Anka and Inca for the coveted Crictus throne—a conflict spanning centuries. Unaware of her destiny, Carmen’s life takes a drastic turn when she becomes the target of her twin brother, Inca. It is then that she unravels the truth about herself—she is the rightful heir to the Crictus throne. Aided by Anka’s guardian, Water Emerald Ron, Carmen embarks on a journey to Crictus to reclaim her soul’s rightful throne. In an unfamiliar realm, she confronts her malevolent brother Inca, the last Soul Hunter capable of ending her existence, along with their steadfast followers. Carmen must navigate this alien world, facing challenges and adversaries, to secure her place on the Crictus throne.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
I attribute a significant part of my success to two crucial traits: patience and immersive creativity. My ability to craft intricate worlds, complete with diverse cultures, languages, and histories, hinges on the wellspring of my creativity. Meanwhile, my patience serves as the backbone that allows me to dedicate hours to finishing six novels. But these qualities are required for any writer. I believe, my journey was also impacted greatly by the support of my family. My parent’s encouragement brought me where I am today. I am profoundly grateful for their unwavering belief in my dreams. Needless to say, to succeed, a writer should surround herself/himself with supportive people. For aspiring writers, I offer this advice: anticipate obstacles along your journey but let patience be your guide. Never surrender, persist in your creative pursuits, and dedicate time to reading, exploring the world, and writing. Be ready to go the extra mile when faced with difficulties. Remember, the path won’t always be easy, but just as you don’t start reading a book from its last page, start from the beginning, embrace the entire journey, and in doing so, you’ll inevitably reach your destination.
Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?
I moved to the United States when I was 23. I had already published 5 books and made a name for myself in Turkiye. However, when I moved here, everything changed. As it turns out, I had to start all over here to make a name for myself. And that’s the challenge I am facing every day. As a writer navigating in a language not native to me, I find myself exerting extra effort to affirm not only to others but, more importantly, to myself that my skills rival those of native writers, if not surpass them. I know this struggle might never go away completely. But I’ve come a long way and I intend to go even further. I am trying to embrace it as a constant source of motivation. Despite my established standing as a writer in Turkiye, I am starting from the very beginning with my upcoming “new” book as if it is my first novel. I don’t resent the process, in fact, I see it as an opportunity to prove not only to myself but to the world. I am armed with the wisdom I gained from my previous experiences, and now I know exactly what to do. I am poised to make an indelible mark and seize this chance to showcase my talents on a global stage.
Contact Info:
- Website: melodibac.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melodibac/
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/melodibackitaplari
Image Credits
Rossana Carozzo
