Michelle wants you to ask her anything...and WIN!
Ooo, a blog party. I love parties. This is almost as much fun as crashing the Harlequin party at RWA Nationals in Atlanta except for, you know, the free booze.
I'm pretty excited. Yesterday I handed in my editorial revisions for FANGED & FABULOUS (Warner Forever, July 2007), which is the sequel to my Waldenbooks bestseller BITTEN & SMITTEN. Let's just say a weight has been lifted. And I have two weeks before I start my next book, so I say PAR-TAY!
Here's the gist of my post. I want you to ask me anything, absolutely anything...be it about books, about publishing, about me, about love life advice (heh), about why the sky is blue. Ask me a question and I will try to answer it. At the end of the day I will choose one winner from the comments who will receive a signed copy of their choice of one of my books (either BITTEN & SMITTEN or ANGEL WITH ATTITUDE) and your choice of any other currently published paperback novel.
Ask and I shall answer.
*Michelle goes in search of the free booze*
www.michellerowen.com
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42 comments:
Well it's never too early for booze so why don't ya pass the bottle, Michelle, so I can put some in my Coke Cola. lol!
What's the one specific piece of advice you'd give an aspiring writer?
What do you do when you're not writing?
Will you send me an ARC for a MySpace feature? *g*
What are you doing for Halloween?
If you could have lunch with two famous authors (m/f and dead) who would they be and why?
Which came first the chicken or the egg?
Hee. Thank you.
Why do you write paranormal books? I love vampire books!
What romance genre that you haven't written would you like to write?
I loved Bitten & Smitten and am so looking forward to Fanged & Fabulous. What was your inspiration for the character of Sarah?
Why a Macbook? (becasue I'm considering making the switch from a PC.)
When did you first start writing and what made you take the leap? :)
I haven't found any booze, but I have found a great deal of coffee...which helps a bit. ;-)
meljprincess:
1. write what you'd love to read but you can't find on the shelves yet
2. I vegetate in front of the TV. Just bought season 2 of Grey's Anatomy on DVD
3. Maybe... :-)
4. Eating a great deal of chocolate. Diet starts Nov. 1st.
5. Shakespeare so I could ask him to tell all high schools to stop making us read his stuff, and Jane Austin to thank her for Mr. Darcy
6. The chicken came first. It evolved from a chicken dinosaur which didn't need an egg to an egg laying animal. Plus, either is tasty.
estella: I write paranormal books because I like the idea of the magic in the everyday. Plus I'm a huge Buffy fan.
crystalg: Hmm... frankly I'd like to take a crack at erotica, though if you've read my books you might wonder if I could pull it off... same thing I've been wondering lately. ;-)
kathy: Sarah was inspired by the character of Bridget Jones. My voice is chick lit, but my preferences lay in paranormal, so I just combined the two. Plus, I'm told Sarah sounds exactly like me. Only she's way better looking.
heather: I'm a graphic designer by trade so I've never used anything but Macs. Sometimes i have to use a PC and I break out in hives.
bonnie: I started writing when I was 10 (Enid Blyton fan fic, believe it or not) then took a huge break (though I never stopped talking about "wanting to be a writer" and poking at novel ideas that never went anywhere) till I was thirty. I decided it was now or never and I needed to apply myself. That was five years ago.
Into how many languages have your books been translated?
LOL! about Shakespeare, Michelle. Excellent answers.
"write what you'd love to read but you can't find on the shelves yet"
is my favorite though. I've never been given that advice and it's brill.
Maybe? Meljprincess@aol.com *VBG*
Darn, I was hoping you'd find Rum for my Coke. Hee.
What is the weirdest thing that has ever happened to you?
Hi Michelle! How long did it take you to get your first book published and how did you react when you got the call?
minna: only english so far!
fundle fluff: first of all, love the user name. *g* Weirdest thing that's ever happened to me? Other than actually having the chance to be published, my life has been monumentally boring.
carol: I was actually extremely lucky. I got the second agent I queried, and we had a offer within 24 hours. However, it did take me 33 years to finish my first book. ;-)
alissa: I'm still working the day job, so any vacation time this year has been spent going to the RT and RWA conferences. Next year, looks like the same deal. However, I do take a day off now and then to curl up in a ball and rock myself back and forth.
ellie: Thank you!
joelle: well, other than watching TV... I used to knit a bit. But I found it kind of stressful. I can play the piano a little.. I also just got a kitten so he's taking a bit of my time up (very needy, just like me)
pearl: I'm a all or nothing writing. Weeks can go by with no words. But then I'll realize I have a deadline and I can do 5K a day no problem. I've signed up for NaNoWriMo next month so I'll be writing my first draft of the next book then. My favorite season is fall, though it does lead to my least favorite season, winter (Toronto area = Tons of snow).
sharon: I have travelled a bit. I've been to Mexico, on a Carribean cruise, Las Vegas (love love love), Florida. I'm dying to go to Hawaii, but my thighs are far from ready to be seen in a bathing suit right now.
I lived on Oahu for two years Michelle. It's a nice place to VISIT...
And I'll be moving to FL sometime in the near future.
Hi Michelle!
Do you have a favorite out of your characters?
Who or what inspires you the most?
If you could be someone else for one day, who would it be?
By the way, I can't wait for Fanged and Fabulous (love the title too)!
Michelle, that is the fastest I've ever heard an author say she got a contract for her first book! That's wonderful! Congrats!
Who do you read when you have the time and what books are on your keeper shelf?
Is your word count goal for Nano the 50k, are are you setting it higher?
tam: my first two books started out with completely different titles. I was asked to come up with a more "punny" title for my vampire book and after much blood, sweat and tears, I thought of Bitten & Smitten. In fact, I hated it for a while, since I was taking my writing oh-so-seriously and thought that was too silly. But it's definitely grown on me! And I've been told a lot of people have picked it up for the title alone. Now I can come up with punny titles at the drop of a hat. My fourth book has a great title...I'm not even announcing it yet just in case somebody steals it! LOL!
little lamb lost: one day I had to research the Black Death plague as well as the proper spelling of Dolce & Gabbana. An odd mix, one might say.
renee: the moment it hit me was when I saw my Amazon listing. When I got "the Call" I felt sick to my stomach, then I had to do a lot of work in revisions, but when I saw I had an ISBN...that my book actually "existed", a tear of happiness may have been shed. ;-)
Hey bamabelle! My favorite character is Sarah Dearly from Bitten & Smitten, followed closely by Reggie the rat from Angel with Attitude. If I could be someone else for a day it would probably be Jennifer Aniston. I would give every tabloid photographer the finger and tell them that I'm just fine, thank you very much and leave me the hell alone.
carol: thanks! I'm pretty lucky, I know. (deal with devil, deal with devil). I must admit that my keeper shelf contains all Laurell K. Hamilton hardcover novels (even Micah...arghh). Talk about a Guilty Pleasure! Hey, she's the queen of this genre, and we should all pay tribute to LKH. I also LOVE Lilith Saintcrow, J.R. Rowling, Rachel Caine, and every last one of the lovely ladies of OOTB. ;-)
kareng: my biggest supporter is probably my father. He has become my unofficial publicist. In fact, I was over the border in a Barnes & Noble a couple of weeks ago and I saw that my books on the shelf already had my bookmarks in them. I wondered how this happened and then realized that my father had been there visiting a relative and he'd done a drive-by bookmarking. LOL
heather: I'd be happy with 50K, but it won't be finished. Usually the second half goes quicker than the first half for me, so the hard part will be over (hopefully).
Hi Michelle! *waves*
Hmmm...what to ask, what to ask. If you were an M&M, what color would you be and why? Except you can't say green because we all know what the green ones mean. ;-)
You prefer coke or pepsi?
If you were only able to read one book for the rest of your life - not including the ones you write, what would it be?
Lastly, what is the meaning of life?
Michelle, those are some pretty great authors!
Do you like to travel. Where is your favorite place to go when you have a chance?
Great questions and answers!
If you could go back in time, would you? Where would you go? What would you take?
If you were a breakfast cereal, what would it be and why? What would your prize be?
Ok then whats your favorite poison? as in drink, I love Kaluha and cream
LOL! We're all waitin' for ya to find the booze.
Love all these questions.
What's for dinner tonight, Michelle?
Okay, I got another one. It's Saturday morning, you are sleeping in because you've had a rough week at the day job and getting the Quinn book going. You and Jinx are relaxing, but are startled by a loud knock at the door. You drag yourself to the front door, morning hair, breath, everything. No peephole in the condo-o-love so you open it to see who it is.
It's Hugh Jackman. He's got a bouquet of your favorite flowers and a copy of your two books in his hands. And he says, "Michelle. I've read your books and I have fallen in love with you. Through these I have come to know you. You're kind, your funny and you're romantic. I have left my wife for you."
What is your reaction?
Do they have wireless internet in Canada? :) If so, are there chains you can expect to find it for free at? Around here, Panera Bread and Tully's Coffee deliver. I need to find some place I can connect up north when I visit. Like Tim Horton's or that De Dutch Panekoeke Haus (or however you spell it).
Do you work on more than one project at a time?
Are you planning to write any books that are not paranormals?
Just dropping in. I love your books. I read both Bitten and Smitten and Angel with an Attitude.
Oh, and here are a couple of more questions:
Describe yourself using three words.
Describe your book using three words.
Ooh, these are good questions, and great answers Michelle! Sarah is my favorite too!
Hey Lisa! *waves back* I don't judge M&Ms by the color of their shell. I am open to relationships with any color M&M. Therefore the color of my candy coated shell shouldn't matter either, don't you agree? ** Diet Coke ** One book: I have absolutely no idea, and now my brain hurts from thinking about it. Thanks a lot. ** The Meaning of Life
carol: I have to say, the place I've been on vacation more times than anywhere else because it's relaxing, and fairly close, and relatively inexpensive is America's Little Bavaria: Frankenmuth, MI. Seriously.
jennifer y: I'd travel back in time to the ninth grade and punch a couple of people out *** I'd be Fruit Loops because they're tasty, cute and loopy. My prize would be 10% more fruit loops in every box
liz: fave drink is a raspberry margarita. Muy delicioso!
meljprincess: I'm still searching for the booze. Who's giving this party anyhow? I may have to make a beer run. *** I'm working overtime at the day job, so it looks like I will be having a delicious Lean Cuisine for dinner tonight! Woo hoo!
lisa back for more: This is easy. I would tell Gerard Butler to move over in bed and make room for Hugh.
richelle: silly rabbit, of course we have wireless here. If the polar bears don't block the signal, that is. I think I can get it for free at the mall's food court. Wireless rocks!
maureen: If I try to work on more than one idea at a time I feel all overwhelmed and prone to procrastination, so I usually focus on one thing and have a couple ideas simmering on the backburner *** I have ideas for non-paranormal, but since I'm trying to establish an audience I have decided to focus on vampires, demons and werewolves.
dannyfiredragon: Thanks! :-) For Fanged & Fabulous, I have the same characters as I did for Bitten & Smitten (plus a couple additions). I have a page of "extras" on my website you can check out for my "dream cast".
flip: Thanks a lot! :-)
jennifer y: Three words to describe me: neurotic blonde daydreamer *** my books in three words: fun with angst
heatherrr: about ten years old, but seriously writing in my late twenties
tam: I wanted to be an actress. Or a supermodel. That, oddly enough, didn't work out.
I just realized I should have copied and pasted the questions to go with the answers. Ah, hindsight. It's a bitch.
Great answers Michelle!
Did you find the booze?
billie l: congrats on your poetry! I'm trying to remember what was the spark that made me say writing is for me....I know seeing Romancing the Stone made me want to be a romance writer in particular... I think I've always been drawn to the artistic side of things. I excelled more in art and writing than those other useless subjects like math and science. ;-) So I guess I just embraced what I was mentally drawn to.
jennifer y: no booze yet. But soon. Very soon.
Did you finally decide on a name for your new cat? I know you were thinking Jinx. Do you think you'll always write paranormals?
Do you think vampires are real?
Tehya: My favorite author is Laurell K. Hamilton.
Brandy: Right now the kitty's being called Jinx, but it still doesn't feel right. I'll know for sure in a couple of weeks. *** I'll write paranormals as long as I have the opportunity. I love the genre. But of course, if I'm writing another sequel to BItten & Smitten in twenty years, I think I need to reassess my writing goals. ;-)
jocelyn: No, why have you met any? ;-)
KimW: Three things in my grocery cart: light Philadelphia cream cheese, frozen dinners, kraft mac & cheese (I'm not much of a cook) *** Alas, i's been so long I don't even remember. Does my cat count? ;-)
Okay you said booze so what's your poison?
And what one thing about you would shock or maybe not shock me but something that I would find unusal.
Here's another question:
What would readers be surprised to find in your closet?
You come up with the neatest titles for your books. Sorry, just to add that along with all the other fans. I loved Bitten Smitten and am looking forward to Fanged and Fabulous.
As for questions for you. Well there are so many great ones asked already that I hope I am not repeating any. I am interested to know though, if at any point you think you might do another series that might be of the other paranormal persausion? Love the one you have going but I am just curious. On average, how long does it take you to complete writing a book? And lastly I saw the post about you being a Laurell K Hamilton fan. I'm a big fan of hers also and have another author I like so.... My question is have you read any of Kim Harrison's books?
pamk: I said Raspberry Margaritas earlier, but my second favorite most-likely-to-be-ordered would be a glass of white zinfandel.
jennifer y: my closet is surprisingly tidy right now since I just moved, but I do have a box full of Buffy action figures. Just don't tell anybody.
kathleen: Thank you! :-) I was inspired by Buffy (thus the action figures) and actually started writing it around the time it was cancelled, so it was my "period of mourning," so to speak. I started writing it through a course with Writer's Digest so I worked through the plot, characters, etc., through the lesson plan. I recommend their courses and workshops to anybody!
ladyvampire2u: I am shopping a proposal for a series right now (paranormal, but slightly darker and sexier). I tend to think in terms of longer arching storylines, so trilogies really appeal to me. Not too long so you get sick of a character, but enough time to explore their world properly. *** I seem to take about four months to write a first draft and four months to clean it up -- so eight months. I'd like to speed that up a tad, though. *** I have the first two Kim Harrison books but I haven't read them yet. I've heard great things!
Thank you to everyone who partied with me today! Woooo! *raises bottle of beer and howls at moon*
I'll post this on the main blog as well.
The winner of their choice of either of my books, plus any current paperback is: *drumroll*
PamK !!!
Please email me at michelle @ michellerowen . com with your choice of "Bitten & Smitten" or "Angel with Attitude", and what other book you would like + your address and I'll pop them in the mail for you this week.
Now I have to go sleep off this hangover.
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