“I was inspired to write it when I could not find a psychic detective novel to read myself. So, I thought, why not just write it? I wrote the book I wanted to read.”
– Melanie Flynn
Mystery and suspense hold a special allure that draw readers into worlds of enigma and intrigue. For Melanie Flynn, a multifaceted individual hailing from Gander, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, storytelling is not just a passion but a profound calling. As a small business owner, lawyer, author, and podcast co-host, Flynn wears many hats, each contributing to her kaleidoscopic array of experiences. Yet, it is her fervent love for crafting stories that truly sets her soul ablaze.
At the heart of Flynn’s literary journey lies a simple yet profound inspiration: the absence of a psychic detective novel that resonated with her own tastes. “I was inspired to write it when I could not find a psychic detective novel to read myself,” Flynn shares. “So, I thought, why not just write it? I wrote the book I wanted to read.” With these words, Flynn encapsulates the essence of her creative spirit – a relentless pursuit of storytelling that defies boundaries and conventions.
Beyond her endeavors as an author, Flynn finds solace and joy in the simple pleasures of life. An avid animal lover, she cherishes moments spent with her two mischievous cats and goofy German Shepherd. Her love for horror movies and video games speaks to her adventurous spirit, while her deep connections with close friends and family anchor her in times of joy and adversity.
Despite her diverse interests and commitments, Flynn’s passion for writing remains unwavering. While “The Toy Maker” – recipient of the highly coveted BREW Seal of Excellence award – stands as her sole published novel to date, Flynn is already hard at work on two more projects, with a treasure trove of ideas waiting to be brought to life on the page. With each word she pens, Flynn imbues her narratives with a sense of intrigue and persistence – qualities that mirror her own journey as an author and as a woman forging her path in the world.
Let us know more about Flynn in this exclusive interview.
TWB: Congratulations on winning a BREW book award! Can you share with us a brief overview of your award-winning book and what inspired you to write it?
MF: The Toy Maker was the first novel to be published and therefore has a special place in my heart. It follows a sarcastic psychic detective, Rylee Scott, as she winds up on a missing person’s case turned hunt for a serial killer. She must pair up with gruff NYPD Detective Calum Reese to track down the killer before more New Yorkers end up dead. The killer gets their moniker from the method of the killing, with their victims turned into life-sized versions of classic toys both beautiful and horrifying in their creations. It is a fast-paced thriller that will leave you on the edge of your seat for the whole way through. I was inspired to write it when I could not find a psychic detective novel to read myself. So, I thought, why not just write it? I wrote the book I wanted to read.
TWB: What elements of writing do you feel contributed most significantly to your book’s success in this regard?
MF: I have always started from a strong character to begin writing a story. Some authors start with setting or plot, but mine always start from the main character and then I build around him or her. I have been praised for my character creation and I like to think I do a good job crafting characters that audiences can relate to but also be entertained by.
TWB: The BREW book awards emphasize literary quality and excellence in writing. What specific techniques or literary devices did you employ to ensure your book stood out in terms of craftsmanship and storytelling?
MF: I like to include a lot of suspense in my writing, especially with this book being a thriller it was particularly important. Fast pacing and leaving small breadcrumbs along the way allow for a reader to not feel cheated at the big reveal in a “Whodunnit.” I feel that readers could go back through The Toy Maker and find clues they did not see in their first read through and maybe even discount those red herrings to come up with the answer themselves on a second reading. But I have not had anyone confirm they knew the killer’s identity before they got to the big reveal, so I also take pride in the mystery building aspect as well as the suspense building. As mentioned previously, I also feel that the characters are built in interesting and well-rounded ways so that they never feel flat or fake. Building “real” seeming characters in a fictional work is something I really strive to do with all my writing.
TWB: The BREW book awards celebrate books that offer unique perspectives or explore important themes. What do you hope readers take away from your book, and what message or theme were you most passionate about conveying?
MF: I am most passionate about conveying a message of persistence. Both myself and my main character, Rylee Scott, are extremely driven women. We both like to set our minds to something and not give up until we make it happen. Although The Toy Maker is a work of fiction, I think that determination and “never give up” attitude you can find in Rylee is something people can look to incorporate in their own lives.
TWB: Writing a book often involves significant research and creativity. Can you share any interesting anecdotes or challenges you encountered during the writing process of your award-winning book?
MF: My internet search history is a bit questionable from that time. I had to create intricate crime scenes with strange contraptions and craftsmanship put in to the killer’s victims. As the victims in The Toy Maker are turned into life-sized versions of classic toys, you can only begin to imagine the disturbing things I had to research to get to a medically accurate crime scene. I also had many conversations with my aunt who happens to be a medical doctor during the draftings and her favourite thing to say to me was “Melanie, my job is to keep people alive not kill them!”
TWB: The BREW book awards recognize excellence in various genres and styles. How do you think your book contributes to or challenges the conventions of its genre, and what sets it apart from other works in the same category?
MF: I think that The Toy Maker is a book that fits into a number of genres but none perfectly. It can fit into the mystery genre, but it is not your classic “whodunnit” with its fast pacing and the psychic powers of the protagonist. It can also fit into the thriller genre, where I feel it might have its best fit with the relentless pace and suspense. The aspect of the psychic detective is something that comes up in some novels but at the time when I began writing it, I could find very few other novels of similar style where a psychic is not just a consultant to the police but a detective in their own right. Rylee Scott’s prowess as a private investigator is only aided by her psychic abilities, making her quite unique with the sub-genre of detective novels and mysteries that incorporate a psychic.
TWB: As a BREW book award winner, your work is recognized for its outstanding quality. What advice would you offer to aspiring writers who are striving to achieve similar success and recognition in the literary world?
MF: Just write it down. No matter how bad you think that first draft is going to be, just get it down on paper. You can do wonders with editing but if you stop writing or never start writing that first draft, then your story never gets told.
TWB: Winning the BREW book award can open doors to new opportunities and audiences. How do you plan to leverage this recognition in your future writing endeavors or literary career?
MF: I am incredibly honoured to have received this recognition of my writing, especially on my debut novel. I have always struggled with a bit of imposter syndrome and having an outside perspective through this accolade has boosted my confidence as a writer considerably. I think we all have that inner saboteur or little voice in your head that says you are “not good enough” and having this award on my first published novel is like a piece of hard evidence I can shove in the face of my inner saboteur.
TWB: Finally, what’s next for you as an author? Are there any upcoming projects or ideas you’re excited to pursue following the success of your award-winning book?
MF: I am awaiting the release of the audiobook version of The Toy Maker sometime this spring, date still to be announced, and am very excited to bring this story to a whole new set of readers. I am very interested in accessibility as a disabled woman myself, so I am very excited with this development. As well, I am nearly finished two new first drafts, one being sequel to The Toy Maker and the other being a completely separate novel that transitions more to the horror/supernatural genre with a haunted house. These novels do not have set release dates soon but keep up with my progress on my website for more information. ⭐
“I am most passionate about conveying a message of persistence. Both myself and my main character, Rylee Scott, are extremely driven women.”
– Melanie Flynn
Get a copy of “The Toy Maker” by Melanie Flynn by clicking here.
For more information about the BREW Book, Blog, and Poetry Awards, click here.
Which book(s) do you find most intriguing?
How does Melanie Flynn’s journey inspire you to pursue your own creative passions?
Are there any specific themes or genres you’d like to see Flynn explore in her future works?
We look forward to hearing from you!
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Honestly, the world needed a psychic detective! I think all great writers’ search history would be pretty concerning for any FBI agent. That’s part of the job. I wonder what her podcast is about!
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A psychic detective does add an intriguing twist to the detective genre! And you’re right, writers’ search histories can definitely be eyebrow-raising. It’s all part of the creative process, though. As for her podcast, it definitely is worth looking up.
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I’m sure if the police looked at my search history, I would become a person of interest, hahaha 😉. And I’m not even a fiction writer!
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Haha, I can relate! Sometimes curiosity leads to some interesting search histories. No worries, you’re not alone! 😄
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