We had the good fortune of connecting with Melodi Bac and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Melodi, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
This question has a simple answer. It is because I was born to create. I believe everyone has a purpose in life. People might not know their purpose just yet or some people might never figure it out. But it doesn’t mean they don’t have a purpose. I was lucky enough to know my purpose. I can’t imagine a world where I don’t create. Creating gives me freedom, and as a Capricorn woman and a writer, freedom means the world to me. I was always free-spirited. When I write, I get to create a world that only belongs to me; where I can do, say, or control everything I want. Paper I write on is a playground where I get to play with the perception of time, space, and even matter.
So, at the end of the day, I didn’t pursue an artistic or creative career. I had to because creating new things is what makes me who I am.
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a fantasy novelist from Turkey. I moved to Los Angeles almost three years ago to become a screenwriter in the industry. I’ve published five books by the age of twenty-three and had the privilege to work with the biggest publishing houses in Turkey. My dreams and perfectionist personality whispers “not good enough” to my ear from time to time, but to be completely honest, I am proud to be a published novelist with five books at a young age. The book critics called me “Turkey’s J.K. Rowling” only when I was eighteen. I get here in my career by being consistent and determined. I’ve always made time to write, even when I didn’t have time. It was certainly not easy, but again, no one told me it was going to be easy. I knew along the way that I would have to pay my dues. I was rejected by many publishing houses, screenwriting programs, and jobs. I have a file on my laptop dedicated to rejections. But it doesn’t matter how many times you fall, what counts is how many times you rise.
I’m still overcoming many challenges in my daily and professional life. From time to time, I still lose faith, but I always find a way to restore my faith as well. Once, one of my readers reached out to me to let me know that she started reading books because of me. And at that moment I thought to myself “this is exactly why I became a writer”. I’ve never forgotten that.
What I learned from this journey is to never give up. You will fall, and so what? You will find a way to get up again. You will have to step back. Things might not happen according to plan. But that’s okay too. Because everything in life happens to teach us a lesson. You learn the lesson and move on. I do the same thing for my career. I had high hopes before I moved to America. I still do, however, I also have to think rationally. For example, I put my work aside for a little while to survive during a global pandemic. And I know it is okay to take breaks too. Now I am back on track and pursuing my dreams.
No matter how long it takes or what happens, I am going to become a world-wide known writer one day. I don’t hope, I KNOW it will happen. That is what I want the world to know about me and my works.
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would take them to see everywhere. I love being a tour guide and taking my friends to the most tourist attraction spots. As a foreigner, I know those places are attraction spots for a reason. But after we are done with those places, I would take them to hikes, beaches, and parks. Because California is great to have the city and nature together. A little bit of both would make a perfectly balanced trip.
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Definitely my parents. I wrote my first novel when I was thirteen. My first book was published when I was sixteen. People underestimated my dreams because of my young age when my parents were nothing but supportive. I was just a kid when they helped me to start my journey as a writer. No matter what I’ve decided in life, they always supported and believed in me. I know it sounds cliche, but even in times where I doubted myself, they give me the push to move forward. So for that and for the endless love they give me, I am forever thankful for them.
Website: melodibac.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melodibac/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melodibac95/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melodibackitaplari
Image Credits
Rossana Carozzo