Meet Lois Melbourne | Author & Mentor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lois Melbourne and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lois, as a parent, what have you done for you children that you feel has had the most significant impact?
I’ve taught my son how to make decisions. This one skill encompasses so many critical elements to survival and success. Having the ability to consider multiple choices, after collecting information, then narrowing the options to the best option is powerful.

Without this ability people become overly dependent on others, or worse, they are manipulated by others.

Making decisions also includes the gift of natural endorphin hits. When you decide on a course of action, it can be exhilarating. When you have accountability to your choices, you can bask in your successes and get yourself out of your problems.

I’ve made this part of my parenting and my mentoring.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I waited to create my children’s books until after I sold our software company and retired. Helping kids explore careers is such a passion of mine, I knew it would be hard to give it all I wanted to give, while running a global software company. I published the two books for 9 – 12 year olds and created workshops for kids and educators to open the world of careers up to kids of all ages.

The undertaking of a sci-fi novel was a completely different experience. The concept for Moral Code was generated via brainstorms with Ross. I dove into writing at the same time I started studying the craft of fiction writing.

The combination of learning how to write a compelling full length novel and trying to keep the storyline ahead of rapid technology and artificial intelligence development created more than a few re-writes. I loved it all.

I was motivated to share the story of how AI is developed by people. What those people care about will shape how the AI makes decisions. If we train an AI to be ethical it can lead to great things. The most ethical imperative we could give a powerful AI, is the protection of our children. Would it be amazing if we could break the cycle of abuse and bullying of our children. The ripple effect would be the greatest tsunami.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Ross recently had family from the UK come for an extended stay. I shared my love for kayaking with them on Lake Grapevine. We moved the furniture and rolled up the rug for a line dancing lesson with a local instructor. That was a blast!

I love the Bishop Arts District for its funky and fun shops, restaurants and a the bar with bar stools on the sidewalk, New Orleans style.

I’ve invested in super comfortable outdoor chairs for our covered porch. We spend a lot of time hanging out enjoying the Texas spring.

The art galleries on Dragon Street in the Design District don’t look like much on the outside but will blow you away inside! Our art museums in Dallas and Fort Worth are world renowned and worth dedicated time.

I’m not much of a shopper, but international visitors have taught me just how many outlet malls DFW hosts.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My husband, Ross Melbourne, is my Co-. He was the co-founder in our software company, co-parent in raising our awesome son, co-laborator as my tech advisor in writing Moral Code. We’ve been together 36 years with whatever multiplier gets added for working in our business side-by-side for 20 of those.

Website: https://www.loismelbourne.com

Instagram: @loismelbourne131

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/loismelbourne/

Facebook: https:// https://www.facebook.com/LoisMelbourne.Author

Other: Book Website www.MoralCodeTheBook.com
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15062245.Lois_Melbourne

Image Credits
Beatriz Terrazas