An Interview with Medallio Green

Medallio is the author of fantasy and all kinds of fiction that bends the mind and makes you feel a lot of emotions (there might be some ugly crying). Medallio spends her time contributing to writers’ groups and reading/critiquing other author’s works. When Medallio’s not writing and editing in the DMV area as a Technical Writer/Editor, she’s the 1/4 owner of a standard party poodle, but also a singer if you count exclusive gigs in the car and shower. Medallio can be found spending time with her niece at the dog park or taking walks with friends. She has also been spotted at art galleries daydreaming that she painted the whole realism section. When Medallio isn’t traipsing around the DC area eating vegetarian burgers, she is an adventure seeker who leads her outside of the country as a solo traveler.

Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?

Since third grade, I have dreamed in technicolor. My dreams felt like motion movie pictures that always left me wanting to know more once I woke up. My third-grade teacher assigned a creative writing project, so I wrote a short story about a dream that I had. The story was absolutely not rooted in reality with a rollercoaster that goes through a ring of fire. My teacher loved the story and my descriptive language so much so that she read my story to the class. Her and the class’s praise opened up a whole new world for me. That moment in my life told me that I could do something out of the norm and it was okay.

What inspired you to start writing this book?

Please don’t laugh! After reading the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer, I was really intrigued with the idea of a human-vampire species. I waited a little bit for Stephenie to expand on that whole new universe, but when she didn’t, my book started to take shape. In true Medallio fashion, it started as a dream. All the war scenes and characters introduced themselves to me through my subconscious. I decided to take a creative writing class through NYU and submitted one of the battle scenes for my final assignment. My professor told me that I needed to expand on this story with a full-length manuscript and she said that I was a good writer. Her words changed my life and I took her advice.

Tell us the story of your book’s title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?

I was agonizing over what the title should be. I didn’t want it to be cliché for a vampire book but I also wanted it to evoke curiosity. I was listening to “Young Blood” by The Naked and Famous and something clicked. Mind you, the song isn’t about vampires. I loved the notion that these characters are human-hybrid vampires that turned into monsters at young ages and would forever have young blood flowing through their veins.

If your book had a soundtrack, what are some songs that would be on it?

Ha, I actually do have a playlist for my book! My favorite songs are: “Which Witch” by Florence + The Machine; “Unmoved” by Ayoni; “Yesterdays” by Billie Holiday; and “Little Things Mean A Lot” by Bettye Swann.

What other professions have you worked in? What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?

I’ve always worked with books! I started as a cashier for two bookstores (one of them was Walden Books if anyone remembers that mom and pop bookshop). Then I moved on to a professional writer and editor, and this is what I do now.

What books did you read (for research or comfort) throughout your writing process?

I read Twilight, The Vampire Diaries, and Interview with the Vampire. I also watched True Blood and The Vampire Diaries and researched Bram Stoker’s version of vampires and how they were described throughout the centuries.

What is one thing you hope readers take away from reading your book? How do you envision your perfect reader?

The vampire hybrids are persecuted by the Order because they’re seen as an abomination. The perfect reader would be able to see the similarities between this story and the past and current issues regarding racial discrimination and gender bias.

Are you a writer, too? Submit your manuscript to Atmosphere Press.