Author Bio:
The first thing I tell people is that I read the dictionary when I was five years old. That’s usually enough to surmise who really wants to talk to me. Smart people immediately ask for definitions of obscure words, most people just say “wow, that’s really weird.”

Yes, it is really weird.

I read the phonebook too.

I started writing when I was about six, once I figured out that I could string words together that people would read. I won a book competition in sixth grade, but as my memory is no longer reliable I can’t tell you what it was.

I can tell you, it took me 36 years to write another book. I finished it after six years of writing it; I published it, and I hate it. It’s boring. So thus was born the ‘Pirate’ series. Books I wrote for myself just for fun, and decided to share them with others (a long agonizing decision, I assure you). I am an impatient person by nature, I don’t have time to wait for an agent to think my book is good enough to publish, and I’m not egotistical enough to think it will be a best seller (although one always hopes), so I published it myself. So far so good. People seem to enjoy it, and I’m currently writing book three (Book Two will be released in October).
I live in Ann Arbor Michigan with my husband, three (older) kids, and two cats.

What inspires you to write?
I have to force myself to write sometimes, unless a really good idea pops into my head. Most of my books are influenced greatly by the music I am listening to. Most of the fight scenes I write in the Pirate books were written while listening to things like Five Finger Death Punch and Volbeat.

Tell us about your writing process.
I have never used an outline. I usually don’t even know how my books are gonna end until they are done. I just let the story tell itself.

For Fiction Writers: Do you listen (or talk to) to your characters?
Amity and I have a very similar personality, so she is easy to talk to. Sometimes I have to yell at Trevor, he’s kind of a wanker.

What advice would you give other writers?
Just write. Don’t think about it, just write for yourself first.

How did you decide how to publish your books?
I’ve done it both ways, and I’m too impatient to wait for an agent or a publisher to decide that my books are good enough. I published on Amazon because I have complete control over my books. It’s a bit more work, you NEED a good cover designer and a wonderful editor, but it’s well worth having all the control.

What do you think about the future of book publishing?
I think as long as there are writers, we will have books to publish. I also own a company that helps new writers publish their books, we edit and design covers, and format for them, and I’ve seen no decrease in our business.

What do you use?
Co-writer, Professional Editor

What genres do you write?
Fiction, action adventure, YA

What formats are your books in?
Both eBook and Print

Website(s)
Michelle Phinney-Smith Home Page Link
Link To Michelle Phinney-Smith Page On Amazon

Your Social Media Links
Goodreads
Facebook
@justbeapirate