Tell me a about yourself.
What got you started in writing?
For me writing was just a
natural extension of my passion for reading. From as early as third grade I
loved books. My first real love was the books from Laura Ingalls Wilder. I
probably read through that series 5 times in 4th and 5th
grade. I had an interest in creative writing in college but didn’t really do
much with writing until after my second child was born. After reading a short
story in Good Housekeeping that I though was poorly written I proclaimed, “I
could write a better story than that one!” That became a challenge to myself
which eventually led to a trip to the library to check out books on writing, a
community education class on Creative Writing and then joining the League of
Utah Writers.
How do you schedule your
writing time? When do you write?
I try and confine my writing
to during the day when my family is at work and school, unless I’m on a
deadline then I squeeze it in whenever I can. I try and write every afternoon,
then on the mornings I’m free I will try and get a few hours of writing done.
How and where do you
write? Do you prefer a lap top or some other method of getting your words
down?
If my house were on fire and
I could only save one thing, other than my family, I would save my laptop. It
has my whole world on it; photos, manuscripts, outlines and book ideas. I’ve
learned to write anywhere; airports, waiting rooms, my couch, my home office,
it doesn’t matter. If I had to wait for an ideal place and situation it would
rarely ever happen. Once I start writing I am in my own world and can block the
outside world. Thank goodness!
How did you come up with
your book idea? How long did it take you to write your book?
I get ideas from literally
everywhere and my last book came from a situation in my extended family that
was purely innocent, but when my imagination latched onto it the story morphed
into a full-blown psychological thriller/horror story. It was awesome! This is
my first horror story and I can say it won’t be my last. It was a blast to
write! The writing was about an eight-month process. If I buckle down I can get
a book written in about six months.
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| Get the Book at Amazon |
What types of marketing do
you do to promote your writing?
My publisher will help with
some of the promotion and set up a blog tour and email blasts and submit the book
to reviewers. I do some of the same things utilizing social media and have
contests and giveaways. I do have a love/hate relationship with social media. I
don’t like to be a pest and bug my followers but it is a necessary part of book
promotion.
What are you currently
working on? Do you have a new book out?
I am currently working on a
romance about a girl whose best friend talks her into going on fifty-first
dates. I’ve recruited stories from readers and friends and family and I cringe
when I think about how crazy dating can be. The main character gets to travel
to Natal, Brazil and I’m so excited to write that part of the book. I’ve been
to Brazil but not this area. I’ve loved doing the research and would love to
visit Natal someday.
Do you
have a project on the back burner? Tell me about it.
I love this question! I have
several books ideas percolating and the one that starts boiling over first will
be the next book I write. I have an idea for a fairytale and an idea for a Syfy
book. My ideas are all over the place but that’s how my imagination works.
What would you tell a
beginning writer who wants to publish but doesn't believe he/she has enough
talent?
I don’t really believe that
talent is the deal-breaker in getting published. I don’t regard myself as the
most talented writer but what I lack in talent I’m willing to make up for in
hard work and perseverance. If a person believes they have a unique story and
they are willing to do the work to write it, then I believe it can happen.
Still, it doesn’t hurt to take classes, go to workshops and conferences and
read books about the art of writing. I’m continually learning and growing as an
author.
***
Thank you, Michele!
Learn more about Michele:
Website: micheleashmanbell.com
Thank you for the fun interview! Your questions really got me thinking and I learned a little about myself in the process!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Michele. I look forward to your character interview in a few weeks.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun idea, Michele. Going from LDS Romance to horror, then to a fairy tale followed by a syfy. Isn't it fun to try all different kinds of genre and see what you can do with it? Congratulations!
ReplyDelete