Wednesday, March 9, 2016

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Michele Bell

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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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.

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Thank you, Michele!

Learn more about Michele:

 Blog address: micheleabell.blogspot.com


3 comments:

  1. Thank you for the fun interview! Your questions really got me thinking and I learned a little about myself in the process!

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  2. You're welcome, Michele. I look forward to your character interview in a few weeks.

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  3. What 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!

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