Today we’d like to introduce you to Missy Michaels.
Hi Missy, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
My love of words started in elementary school. I started out as a shy, introverted child with a passion for reading that grew right along with me. In elementary school, I was the child who enthusiastically looked for to the Scholastic Book order form, and my parents had to limit me from buying 10-15 books to a more reasonable 3 or 4. At breakfast, I would read the cereal box panels, the Poptart box, and anything else on the table with words on it. By junior high, I also started writing for the school newspaper. In high school, I wrote for the school newspaper and for the yearbook during my senior year. Fast forward to adulthood, I remained an avid reader, and I love libraries and bookstores. While going through a divorce, I started writing the outline for a story based on a couple trying to save their marriage. That story became my first novel, To the Swift.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Some of my personality traits that have affected my writing journey is the fact that I can be impatient and that I’m shy. While a writer will typically query multiple agents and wait for one or more to show interest in their book, I sent 3 query letters. Only three which certainly is not typical by industry standards. I received feedback but not an agent. I was excited about my novel and so ready to share it with readers I had my book published and available on Amazon as an e-Book within 2 months of my query letters going out. I had to get past my shyness because if my understanding that a social media presence is expected. And with my second novel, Loyal, I went to Instagram and opened up my account to present myself and my work.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My first two novels, To the Swift and Loyal, are both domestic suspense. I also write and publish short, short stories on Facebook. Those are fun and quite varied. Some are humorous, some dramatic, some sad, and some are little love stories. I am proud and thrilled when a reader tells me who their favorite character is or a scene that made them cry. That lets me know I’m doing my job to intrigue and entertain the reader. What sets me apart to some extent is that I make the setting part of the story. In To the Swift, the characters drove down streets and ate in restaurants in Memphis that are real. Loyal is set in Dallas, and there are scenes taking place throughout the city. The novel that I’m working on now is set in Springfield, MO, where I grew up. Something else that sets me apart and that I’m finally starting to see more of in novels is a multi-ethnic cast. My characters are black, white, Hispanic, Asian, bi-racial, like real life.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
An important lesson for me in my journey has been listening to feedback and responding. A book lover in Arkansas started following my Twitter account and tweeted that she had purchased To the Swift. When she completed the book, she tweeted again, saying she couldn’t wait to see what happened next with Monica and Blake. And on Facebook, a book lover in Louisiana commented on my page that she was looking forward to reading more about Blake. I listened. My novel Loyal is a stand-alone, but Blake and Monica are there. I like the ability to interact with readers. It’s pretty awesome.
Pricing:
- $2.99
- $8.65
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @missywritenow
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/missy.michaels.18
- Twitter: @michaels_missy
Image Credits
Darius Fountain
