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Melanie Milburne's Biography
It was after I read my first romance novel when I was seventeen that I decided on two things: I was going to be a writer and I
was going to marry a Mills and Boon hero.
For years I had planned to be a nurse but after fainting in the operating theatre whilst I was on work experience I had to do
a quick change to teacher training instead. Much less blood, or so I thought! And the hero I hear you ask?
He came along when I was least expecting it and swept me off my feet in two dates. I’d known him for
years as he was a friend of my older brother’s but always thought him a bit dull. It’s the strong silent types you have to watch out for!!!!
The irony of all this is he is a brilliant surgeon but I can assure you I have never seen him operate, nor
do I ever look over his shoulder when he’s reading a surgical text or journal.
We have two sons who did a very good job of turning me off the idea of ever teaching again even though I have a Masters Degree
in Education. Instead, I decided I would finally do what I’d been promising to do for years-write a novel.
As soon as my fingertips hit those computer keys I felt as if I had finally found my niche, and even though
I subsequently received a couple of rejections I wasn’t discouraged but soldiered on. The next year I came second in The Emma Darcy Award in
Australia, and after another three rejections sold my first Presents novel in February 2003, and became the first Australian
author in ten years to be contracted to Harlequin Mills & Boon Presents. I’ve since sold five books and absolutely adore my
life as a writer.
I am a nationally ranked top ten master’s swimmer but I didn’t learn to swim until I was twenty-nine. I
almost drowned at the age of six at my first swimming lesson so overcoming that fear was a huge
turning point in my life. I’ve since applied that same principle to anything I am felling hesitant about, my credo if you like is: don’t say I can’t- say I can try.
As well as swimming I enjoy long distance running, and of course reading. I love biographies, the
classics and philosophy and anything with a happy ending. Since I can’t run or swim with a book in my hand I usually have a book in my head which makes my
time in front of the computer so much more efficient as it all comes flowing out as if I’d just been speaking with the
characters.
I am passionate about the rights and needs of children and animals, and hope by writing happy fulfilling stories I can do my
bit to change the world even from my small corner in beautiful Tasmania.
My favourite quote:
“Books, the children of the brain.”
Jonathan Swift A Tale of A Tub (1704)
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Melanie's website
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