What
is your name, where were you born and where do you live now?
My
name is Michelle Pickett. I was born and raised in Flint, Michigan, but I now
live in a small community outside Houston, Texas with my incredibly supportive
husband, three school-aged children, a 125 pound “lap” dog and a very snooty
cat.
Did
you always want to be a writer? If not what did you want to be?
Yes,
being an author was always a dream of mine, but it wasn’t something I told
people. In fact, I had written most of my first novel, Concilium, without my family knowing. I was what I call a “closet
writer.”
What
is the name of your latest book, and if you had to summarise it in less than 20
words what would you say?
My
latest book is titled PODs and
releases June 4th this year.
It’s a
post-apocalyptic story about a virus that kills the Earth’s population except
for a select group of “Chosen people.”
Who is
your publisher? or do you self-publish?
Spencer
Hill Press is my publisher for PODs, The Infected (the sequel to PODs) and Milayna.
MuseItUp
Publishing is the e-publisher for Concilium
and Concilium: The Departure.
What
can we expect from you in the future? ie More books of the same genre?
Books of a different genre?
I like
to write across genres, probably because I read many genres. Milayna is a paranormal trilogy, so you can expect a second and
third book in that series. I have an urban fantasy that I am finishing up now.
I also have a contemporary romance that I’m trying to find a home for. I have
two outlines for books I have started yet. On is a young adult contemporary
romance and the other is a new adult contemporary romance. So hopefully I’ll be
blessed enough that you’ll be seeing me for a while.
Do you
have a favourite out of the books you have written? If so why is it your
favourite?
I
would have to say PODs is my favorite
book. It came so easily to me and it is also my first traditionally published
book so it holds a special place in my heart. But, I love all my books. I saw a
quote that said asking a writer what their favorite book is, is like asking a
mother who her favorite child is. I
think that is true. It’s hard to pick a favorite.
Do you
have a favourite character from your books? and why are they your favourite?
I love
Eva in PODs. She is intelligent and
strong. I also really like David, her love interest in PODs. But all my characters
hold a special place in my heart. I love Chay from Milayna and Brody from my
first contemporary romance that hasn’t found a publisher yet.
Do you
have a certain routine you have for writing? ie You listen to music, sit in a
certain chair?
I sit
at a small (tiny) desk shoved in a corner of my living room. I have to have my
hoodie to write (I have no idea why). Sometimes I do listen to music,
especially if a certain song relates to a scene I’m writing or my family is
distracting me. Most of my books have playlists associated with them. They can
be found on my website. I usually snack while writing. My favorite is Reese’s
peanut butter cups or mini-Rolos. But I’m trying to kick that habit.
Do you
gift books to readers to do reviews?
My
publisher distributes advanced reading copies of my books for me. I get very
few to send out to reviewers, but I try to give them to as many as I can.
Do you
read all the reviews of your book/books?
No. I
know not everyone is going to give me a good review, but sometimes people who
give poor reviews don’t realize how hurtful they can be to a writer. There is a
positive way to give a poor review. But saying that a book is horrible or the
worst book they’ve ever read is just plain hurtful. So I try not to read any of
my reviews.
Do you
basic plot/plan for your book, before you actually begin writing it out? Or do
you let the writing flow and see where it takes the story?
I
usually start with an idea and know what the beginning is and where I want the
story to end, but the middle I free-write and let the characters take me where
they want.
Have
you ever suffered from a "writer's block"? What did you do to get
past the "block"?
Oh,
yes! The dreaded writer’s block. We all suffer through it at one time or
another. I usually just keep writing. Sometimes what I write is horrid and
sometimes I free-write and come up with new ideas. I also write a lot in my
journal. Reading is also a good way for me to overcome writer’s block because
it helps me relax and escape into someone else’s world. The thing I don’t do is
stop writing. I write something every day. Whether it’s a blog post, an interview,
in my journal or my work in progress, whatever it is, I write every day.
What
do you do to unwind and relax?Do you have a hobby?
I love
doing anything with my family. They center me when I need to relax. I also love
photography and drive everyone nuts with my camera. I love to take photos of
eyes and faces. And I like to get those photos when the person isn’t aware of
the camera. It’s just like stealing a moment in time.
Have
you ever based characters on people you know or based events on things that
have happened to you?
Yes.
One day my son and I were driving to the dentist and we were teasing back and
forth and I said he was silly and he replied, “I know, Mom, that’s why it’s so
fun to be me.” I included that conversation in one of my books.
What
is your favourite book and Why? Have you read it more than once?
I love
Olivia and Jai by Rebecca Ryman. I love the setting, historical India. She
gives a lot of information of the traditions and customs. It has a great
romance and it also has a bit of mystery involved, too. So it has it all! Yes, I’ve read it so many times that I can
probably tell you what page a specific scene is on!
Do you
have a treasured book from your childhood? If yes, what is it?
Where the Red Fern Grows
was my favorite book as a child. I still read it now—and I still cry at the
end.
Are
there any New Authors you are interested in for us to watch out for? and Why
should we watch out for them?
I
really enjoy Meradeth Houston’s books. She’s a fairly new author. Her first
novel was published last year through MuseItUp Publishing titled, Colors Like Memories. She has another
book titled, The Chemistry of Fate
releasing this year. I enjoy her writing style and I think Colors Like Memories had the best first line I’ve ever read! “I greeted his tombstone the way I always
did—with a swift kick.” That line had me hooked right away. I wanted to know
why a person would greet a tombstone that way, who the people were, and what
situation they were in. It is just a great first line, in my opinion, to a
terrific book.
Where
can readers follow you?
I love to hear from readers and authors alike. You can reach me at:
I love to hear from readers and authors alike. You can reach me at:
Website: www.Michelle-Pickett.com
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/michellepickettauthor
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/michelle_kp
Goodreads: http://goodreads.com/michelle-pickett
Linked
In: http://www.linkedin.com/in/michellepickett
Thank
you so much for featuring me on your blog. Bloggers like you play such an
important role in an author’s career.
You have no idea how instrumental you are in an author’s, and a book’s,
success. Thank you so much for thinking
of me and PODs and including us on
your blog. I am very thankful!
You are so welcome Michelle, thank you for taking the time to take part in the Author Interview.
I love Michelle! I had the pleasure of meeting her and hanging out with her at BEA all this week. She's really amazing, funny, and just all around lovely!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the shout-out, Michelle! I can't wait for PODs!!
ReplyDelete