ACR: The craft of writing and the seminal esthetics of reading make for a formidable combination. How have you linked the two in your quest to improve your writing to be taken to the next level?
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 MM: I found that by reading a variety of writing styles I am able to create a stronger voice for myself. By reading new and more experienced writers I’m able to maintain a level of confidence, which is important to a writer. When I read a book that I feel that I could have written I say to myself “Hmmm, I can do that.” And it’s not with a competitive motive that I say that, or feel that, but more of a “Let me see,” kinda of thing. Everyone needs to feel challenged in order to strive. Also, it's like the old saying: What you want someone to do for you, you should be willing to do for him or her in return. I want my books read, so I read the books of others, especially self-published authors like myself..
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ACR: Every writer has a different source for inspiration. Who do you read, and who are some of your writing influences? |
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MM: I read Margaret Johnson-Hodges and Evelyn Palfrey. Their writing style is smooth and comfortable. They are great storytellers. There have been times too, when I’ve used songwriters more for inspiration than fiction or non-fiction writers. My favorites are Joni Mitchell and Cat Stevens. They tell a great story in their songs, ones based on characters I try to bring to life.
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ACR: What path did you follow to facilitate and cultivate your style, and what does it take to be a successful writer based on what YOU went through? |
MM: The path that lead to writing, writing, writing, and revising, revising, revising. I don’t think there is another path for writers. Determination to see your work in print is another invaluable asset. Developing several new layers of skin is a good pointer to keep in mind. Taking advice from the right sources…pen that one on your mind! All of those things lead me to continue writing against what seemed to be insurmountable odds. Even the fact that many today write and never see their work in print even after being contracted by traditional publishing houses—writing is not a glamorous life. It’s very similar to parenting—a labor of love with only a hope and prayer that what you have done will be appreciated. It’s good too, to use friends and what they have to say about your storytelling ability. I like to use my visual mind to see what I write as if it were in real motion. My style of writing is based mostly on ‘romanticizing’ real life…taking real people and situations I know and changing them. |
ACR: For those that may not know who Michelle McGriff is, what can you tell the reading public to accentuate or promote things that you are into?
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MM: I'm actually quite the house person—computer nerd, actually. Personal circumstances changed my outgoing nature to one a bit more reserved. My children call me a square! I'd rather be home writing and playing with my grandchildren (of which I have 5)—than on a free cruise to the Bahamas. I have the location of my fantasy life all picked out. With my move here to Portland, I have picked out my land and now, I just await my book contract to put down the dough on my dream home. I do not have a desire to be rich…only to make my ends meet, but as I mentioned with all these babies, I have a lot of ends. (smile)
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ACR: Speaking of the Mosamba book club, how did that entity of your life come about, and why did you feel that it was a necessity to become a reality?
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MM: In the days when I was quite the social butterfly, I used to entertain at parties. I did an act called the Samba Queen where I would play the keyboard and sing pop tunes, sort of like a Vegas singer. My initials at that time were M.O. I simply put them in front of Samba…and the rest…as they say…is history. LOL
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ACR: How many books have you written? Other than books, are there any other literary genres that you consider part of the process of you being complete? |
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MM: First, I would like to say, I would never be COMPLETE. Complete sounds like finished, and though my eyes have suffered irreversible damage in an accident, I will always have a story to tell. I have written dozens of stories, and have completed and released 10 novels and a One Act Play. I have big plans for 2003 and I hope everybody will put their straps on…they are in for quite the ride! I want to write mystery, comedy, drama, romance and hopefully a successful screenplay.
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| ACR: Let's talk about the Majestic Series? How did it come about, and why did you decide to serialize it? |
 MM: The development of The Majestic Series came out of a love for the characters I’ve developed. I made this group of people that took me beyond the ‘The End’. I just couldn’t let them go—they had so many more stories to tell. I originally wrote the premise of the book Majestic’s Secret at fourteen and since then, the story never left my head. Serialization came after many request to continue with the “what happened to so and so” questions. I have also basically fallen in love with the characters and they are very easy to write and build on. I REALLY work on character development, and utilize other writing techniques using my characters from The Series. |
| ACR: What drama can you drum up to convince readers that they should invest time and readership in the series? |
MM: No drama no hype…the book is darn good. The story is one that will hook you and haunt you just as Majestic did her family. Just give it a chance to reach in and touch you. I guess I could say that the real draw of this story is the realistic plotline, people trying to get themselves through love, loss, success and failure, while finding themselves. Some didn’t know that they were really lost. It’s romance at its best! (smile)
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ACR: In your estimation, what strides and improvement have you made from your first novel to the current one? What has been most gratifying to you in the same aspect?
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MM: There is ALWAYS room for improvement and I think my books show that. I’ve written Majestic Secret three times! I write and rewrite and with Iuniverse.com, I can publish and republish. With each rewrite I try to get better and better. I now have an editor and that has helped tons with the presentation of my work, and I’m very grateful to her. The most gratifying thing to me about my work is the positive reviews and the sales statements that show that my books are moving. Slowly but surely they are moving from my hands to yours. And that is one of the coolest most ‘whoohooo’ feeling I’ve ever known. I feel I should write a stronger book grammatically speaking. As far as my storyline, I’ve always had a vivid imagination with gratification of seeing your brain on print. I will never get enough of reading my books over and over and still be able to say -- that was good!
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ACR: Do you have a specific approach to creating a character, creating storylines, or crafting an end to your stories?
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MM: I use the WHAT IF theory of writing. What if this were to happen…then that would have to happen etc. I watch people wherever I go. I watch them imagining that they are doing something other than what they are supposed to be doing. I ask myself constantly, WHAT IF. I may see a woman waiting on a corner and I’d say, “what if she was waiting for a payoff from a kidnapper?” What if the love of her life just drove by and their eyes meet?” What if?! I listen to music and it moves my imagination. I feel it to make it tell a story. I also enjoy a little bit of TV. I only watch shows that are written in the style I want to emulate. And then lastly, I go to bed and DREAM the book. Then I write it. As far as the characters, a lot of them have already been drawn up just waiting to be cast into the role written just for them. I usually write the end of my books first!
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ACR: What can mainstream booksellers and publishers do to improve how books are being marketed in your opinion?
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| MM: I think mainstream booksellers can stop looking only at the $$ signs attached to an author’s name, and look at more of what the author is writing. Give the newcomer more of a chance! I think they should attempt to carry MORE of the work of the unknown writer—even if it’s just one book. It wouldn’t be expensive because more than likely the author himself or herself have come in and offered you that ONE BOOK! The speed in which an aspiring writer is rejected never ceases to amaze me. How can you KNOW you don’t want something if the package was never opened?! |
| ACR: At this point, it seems as though you prefer certain continuity in your writing toward the serial. Do you find it particularly fulfilling to write in this style as opposed to writing without a continuing storyline? |
| MM: Let's tell a story. I like adding to an existing storyline and making it better. We’ll gather in a circle and now one person will say a sentence and another will complete it until a story is born. I loved that game and so it shows in my writing. I think the stories in a series are easier to write and quite entertaining. Coming from the TV generation, serials were very popular, why? You always knew what would come next. Readers draw comfort in that. They like characters that can become friends. They grow to care about them, cry with them…and heaven forbid you kill one off—grieve for them. So many books have such great peripheral storyline potential that I’m surprised more writers don’t do more of it. |
ACR: Now that your life is extra-curricular defined with projects left and right, how do you manage to allot quality time to write and allot time accordingly to other responsibilities?
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MM: T ime management is very difficult with my lifestyle as it is now. Generally I write on the weekends and late at night. I take more notes now and daydream a lot. I use public transportation so that I can work on my ways to and from places. But it all seems to work out. The books get finished. I try to get everything I enjoy doing into my day or week, and the things I don’t like to do…well, it’s catch as catch can.
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| ACR: What advice can you give aspiring writers? |
| MM: Write everyday. Talk about your writing all the time. Be BOLD and CONFIDENT in your newfound voice and your talent. No one can take it away from you. Only YOU can get writer’s block because YOU are the writer. So take control of what is yours and use it wisely. Don’t sell out! It’s a gift, it’s yours and no one can take it away from you. Don’t give up your gift for the almighty dollar. Be true to your inner voice. Self publish if you want to. Feel good about the ability you have to put words on a page – not everyone can do it. Do not be discouraged by rejection…listen with your heart. A hundred people may ignore you in a day, but that one that tells you your book is Da Bomb – that’s the one you need to hear! |
| ACR: What is the best way to utilize Print On Demand (POD) Methodology? |
MM: The best way to utilize Print On Demand is to go at it as with any business. You must first plan on making an investment in your product so as to supply potential demand. In the case of books...you want to be prepared for book signings. Most bookstores won't purchase your books--you must furnish your own and pay the host for the privilege, so be prepared...take advantage, if you can, of all specials your POD publisher offers so that you can be your own merchant...peddling your own wares. Utilize all the free press the POD publisher can offer, and if it fits in your budget, all the press with a fee that comes. Some companies will send you flyers or press releases for your books, online workshops to help your get started marketing your book, and POD publishers keep you in touch with others just like you. Most POD publishers are more accessible than Mainstream publishers who, if you aren't making them rich, don't have much time for you. Most will offer you placement in many virtual bookstores. I'm even at WAL-MART now!
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ACR: Finding the right person to market your ideas can be fraught with a lot of problems, what’s the best way to go about acquiring the right literary agent?
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| MM: The standard way of finding an agent is through trial and error. Very similar I've heard to finding a publisher. Submit, Submit, Submit. Fortunately, for me I was able to have an agent contact me after a friend shared my book with her Agent. Subsequently her Agent called me. The RIGHT Literary Agent is one that will AGGRESSIVELY go to bat for your book--sell your book, submit your book and sometimes do the preliminary editing needed to present your book pristine to the epublishers that they have had dealings with their other clients. Also, you want an agent that already has clients! Steady clients--best selling clients. |
| ACR: Give your perspective on how to present your book to the right people? |
| MM: Finding your audience is the first step. You do that by putting it out there to everyone and doing that--everywhere. Once the book hooks someone, you know right away the type you need to find, and often that one person is part of a group. They can spread the word and get you noticed. You can send out press releases- contact the newspaper- invite bookstore managers and owners to give you a book signing where you furnish your books, and give them 10-15 percent of the sales. You can give open houses in recreation rooms etc...Send out books to reviewers, and people like Alvin C. Romer, founder of TheRomerReview (TheJackal@theRomerReview.com) who will interview you for newsletters and other online venues. Utilize cyber sales to the max...it's just that simple! |
| ACR: LOL! Thanks for the plug Michelle, and I sincerely hope that other authors indeed would recognize how this service may benefit them, and allow me to do the same for them that I’ve done for you in this instance…but I’m sure you have opinionated views on Self-publishing vs. Mainstream publishing…how do you look at it? |
MM: As a writer, of course I would love to have my book on the shelves of all mainstream bookstores. I would love to hit the best seller list or be at the top of the New York Times best seller list--but as a self-published author, I don't see that happening--except in my dreams. Of course, with self-publishing, I can feel the pride of 'having it my way'. I don't have to make changes that don't sit well with me, or stress of the 'business end' of writing. I can write for the joy of it. Sometimes, I regret not aggressing the mainstream publishers, as I would one day like to make a living at writing. However, most of the time I feel a great sense of pride and accomplishment, with all of the books I’ve written, and I'm grateful for the loyal following I have.
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ACR:What would you do different if you were starting anew as a writer, as opposed to the progress you've made at this point?
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MM: I would have practiced those words I just preached in answer to the last question by not having started out so prudishly. I would have written what my heart dictated, and not allowed others to assassinate my dreams with their negative air. I would have not sold out—not so much monetarily but emotionally. Editing myself—censoring myself. Now, I write for ME and it seems to show, as there are many who like what I write. I still take the advice of readers and writers, but I’m more selective about who I listen too and what advice I take—is it for ME they say this or that, or is it for themselves?
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ACR: What's in store for those who already know who you are, as well as those that are destined to be enlightened? Are you willing to give insight to future projects and literary offerings in progress?
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| MM: MORE BOOKS! I’m currently working on a children’s book. I figure, with all these babies around, it was a natural ‘next step’ for me. I’m actually enjoying writing them. The first is complete, entitled No More Bottles For Lilly. The next is in the works, Kalen Doesn’t Want To Go. The stories take a little longer and I must stretch my imagination, as they rhyme—and I’ve never claimed to be a poet. As far as my adult work, I’m constantly working on new things. I have a mystery series—Stone, that I’m still working on as well as a spin-off story entitled Tease, from the Majestic Series based on a new character that was introduced in book four of the series. |
| ACR: Lastly, what legacy do you want to leave your fans to be remembered by? |
MM: I would like to enter a literary event (without anyone knowing who I was) and hearing people talking about how my book and how it touched them. I want my fans to know that I loved to write! I want to teach it, share it, and have my grandchildren say my name and people go – that was your grandma. I read the book, and it was great!
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