Interview with Mel Greenberg

Author of Running With Our Eyes Closed

Where are you from originally and where do you reside now?

San Diego, CA
Tucson, AZ

If you currently reside somewhere besides where you were born, what’s the story that lead from there to here?

I left San Diego to attend college at the University of Maryland. I remained in the DC area after college, working in radio and TV. Leaving DC in the late 80’s I worked for an NBC affiliate outside New Orleans. Missing the west coast I headed back, visiting friends in Tucson, I stayed a bit longer than I’d planned and met my future husband just months before I was to return to California!

What made you decide to write and publish your first book?

Writing has always been my passion, both personally and professionally. When I became an empty nester myself, the road ahead revealed so many twists and turns. I found writing brought me clarity and confidence that I needed. The characters and story that came out of that time are the basis for Running With Our Eyes Closed. I believed that Samantha’s journey was important to share – we need to understand and claim our place in the “second chapter” of our lives. Samantha and Michael’s fictional lives offer the much needed perspective that life is messy and love is hard, but thrives when we give it our most authentic attention.

How would you describe your books to first time readers?

Samantha’s midlife crisis takes an unexpected turn when she meets her husband in Italy. Empty nesting is not what she’d bargained for and reclaiming her voice is now her main goal. The first in the series, this stand alone addresses, head-on, the challenges of marriage, motherhood and midlife. It is a story of growth – through failure, loss and love. Samantha recaptures a piece of her that had been missing and ultimately finds the strength and confidence to move forward in her life.

Who do you feel is most likely to connect with the topics you write about?

Women, midlife and beyond for sure. But younger women are responding as they see the connection with their parents.

What unexpected or surprising thing did you learn during the process of writing and publishing?

First, that simply fulfilling my commitment to myself to complete and publish this was the most rewarding moment. Writing for news and sports is quite different – seeing the characters I created come to life and resonate with so many has been exhilarating.

If you could, what advice would you give to your past self before embarking on this journey?

Believe in you girl! You can and WILL do this. I was wrought with insecurities early in the process and then as it launched. I would remind her that when she puts her heart and soul into something she is unstoppable. Ultimately, to trust the process and be organized. BE VERY ORGANIZED!

How many people would you ideally like to reach with your books?

As many as possible! I believe that Samantha’s journey is universal.

What has been the biggest challenge and frustration during the process to date?

Dancing that precarious line of promotion without being overly self-indulgent. Asking for and getting reviews is hard for me. I know we must do it, but it is so far out of my comfort zone.

What’s your biggest strengths when it comes to book a) writing, b) publishing and c) marketing?

HA! I like to joke that writing it was the easy part. Not a joke so much. The really work does indeed come after publishing. Marketing is fun for me, though I find that creating the balance between that and creating time and space to continue writing can be challenging.

What’s your biggest weakness when it comes to book a) writing, b) publishing and c) marketing?

So many options! I like the indie-publishing path Ive chosen. It is a rapidly changing environment which is exciting but so hard at times.

When do you think you will write your next book?

It’s in the works. We meet Samantha two and a half years later.

Are you self published or did you use a hybrid publisher, or a traditional publisher?

I created a publishing hybrid – 4 Pillars Publishing.