About Michelle Summers:
Michelle Summers has been writing since age eight, when she wrote a script that she hoped would be made into a movie starring herself, with Tom Cruise and Meg Ryan as her parents. Michelle has a B.A. in Studio Art and years of experience as a manager in retail. These helped her land the prestigious job of an abused executive assistant which she inevitably quit, to be a freelance graphic designer, and when that failed, a domestic goddess.
Michelle is most proud of the three little spitfires she is raising, although she regrets to have imbued them with all of her sass and smart-assery.
In her free time-hahaha, just kidding. She doesn’t have any free time! But she still loves training in martial arts, even if she can barely get her feet off of the ground for her jumping kicks. She also enjoys volunteering in her community, a suburb in the metropolitan New York area.
What inspires you to write?
I am inspired by unfulfilled possibilities: the confrontation you rehearse a million times in your mind, only to freeze up when actually faced with the chance; the acquaintance you love to flirt with but you never tell your true feelings to because you’re too afraid of what would happen, either way; the missed connections and missed opportunities and how they could have changed everything.
What authors do you read when you aren’t writing?
Kelly Ann Jacobson, Janet Evanovich, Charmaine Harris
Tell us about your writing process.
I start with a very general outline in Word of who and where my characters are and where they are going. Then, I just write.
I make my characters as I go and thank heavens for my editors because they keep better track than I do of my characters physical traits!
I used to write at my dining room table, but then I decided I needed a more inspiring view. So now I sit at a big picture window looking out at my backyard. We have a big wooded hill and when I need to think for a minute I can just stare off.
I’ve improved my sprinting. I used to get super distracted during sprints. Now I know when I’m blocked or distracted I need to just set a timer, start typing, and not stop until the alarm sounds.
For Fiction Writers: Do you listen (or talk to) to your characters?
Yes, but I find they often lead me astray 😂
I listen to their ideas of where they’re going and they can change a whole scene to be too early.
What advice would you give other writers?
Just write! You can polish crappy writing into good writing. You cannot edit a blank page!
How did you decide how to publish your books?
I’m completely impatient and didn’t want to wait years to find out if my book would ever get picked up. Also I wanted to maintain the rights to my books.
I would advise to look into the financial and time investment it is to self-publish and make sure you can handle it all. Also, if you want to self-publish, join a program or find a writing coach who can help guide you through the logistics and business pieces.
What do you think about the future of book publishing?
I think it’s going to be more and more common for people to self-publish.
What genres do you write?: So far urban fantasy/paranormal romance, but I’m planning a romantic comedy series to start soon
What formats are your books in?: Both eBook and Print
Website(s)
Michelle Summers Home Page Link
Your Social Media Links
Goodreads
Facebook
Instagram
All information in this post is presented “as is” supplied by the author. We don’t edit to allow you the reader to hear the author in their own voice.
