Interview with Melanie Dale on Her Novel 'Girl of Lore'

Dale shared insights about her background, revealing that she owns a Maltipoo named Khaleesi and has three grown children. Before writing fiction, she published four nonfiction books, appeared as a zombie on *The Walking Dead*, and, like the character Mina's mom in *Girl of Lore*, became a yoga teacher. Interestingly, she became a yoga instructor while developing this book, as she initially crafted a fun job for the character in her story.

Her writing journey began in childhood, where she would write in journals while hiding in closets. From plays to blogging, her path eventually led her to nonfiction before exploring fiction. A conversation with Greg Nicotero, the executive producer of *The Walking Dead*, encouraged her to pitch a story for his horror anthology series, *Creepshow*. This experience reignited her passion for storytelling, leading her to write multiple episodes for the series and embracing her fiction side.

When asked to describe *Girl of Lore* in five words, Dale answered, "Gasp, dead body! Monsters real?" She explained that readers can expect a fun narrative where Mina begins a club to delve into local folklore, only to stumble upon a mysterious book and a corpse drained of blood. The story includes humor, teenage drama, and elements of spooky mystery.

The inspiration for *Girl of Lore* came from the question, "What if the characters from *Dracula* were teens living in Georgia?" Dale, a fan of Bram Stoker's *Dracula*, aimed to make the classic more accessible, particularly for her son. Combining gothic elements with the unique backdrop of small-town Georgia, she crafted adventures for Mina and her friends.

Writing the dialogue and banter between Mina and her friends proved particularly enjoyable for Dale. She also researched graveyards extensively, exploring both local sites and famous locations like Greyfriars in Edinburgh and St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 in New Orleans. Her research included quirky questions about burial practices, leading her to joke about possibly being on a watchlist due to her inquiries.

Dale faced significant challenges while writing the book, particularly after her first draft was rejected by publishers and she received a cancer diagnosis. This period left her unable to engage with her manuscript for a year. However, as she healed, she revisited the story, gradually improving it until it reflected both her recovery and vision.

Looking ahead, Dale expresses excitement for exploring more mysteries and characters in the *Girl of Lore* universe. She is particularly looking forward to reading *Dead but Dreaming of Electric Sheep* by Paul Tremblay, having already preordered it.