Episode 38: Mel Greenberg

Mel Greenberg, the author of Running With Our Eyes Closed

Key Topics: Her inspiration for a novel set in mid-life, why Mel decided to make the novel so sexy, and how her character found her own voice during the editing process.

Interview Notes:

Mel Greenberg chats about her debut novel RUNNING WITH OUR EYES CLOSED, which the reviews are calling a “tale of rediscovery and reconnection between a husband and a wife”, “beautifully written” and “sensual” and “spicy”.

 We talk about Mel’s decision to include that sexy-ness in the novel and how it’s unusual to see onscreen sexy-time with older protagonists (and shouldn’t be). Mel felt strongly that for the husband and wife in her novel who’ve been married 25 years– their physicality was an important part of them working through their relationship.

Mel shares how the novel was inspired by a perfect storm in her own mid-life; turning 50, getting cancer, and seeing her friends go through that moment in life – the empty nest moment – and how it causes many women to question both their marriages and what they want from the future.

We chat about changes through editing – and how the main character Samantha found her voice and strength, and it became more clear that this book was her story and future books could explore where she goes from here. Mel shares her excitement that book 2 that will be coming soon.

Her writing advice includes “don’t over edit”– either your book or your overall dreams! “If it’s come to you, then tell it- that story needs to be told!”

Her recommended read is THE ROSIE PROJECT trilogy by Graeme Simsion, with its beautiful witty writing; funny, heartwarming and incredibly well done.