Tag Archives: Review

Writing Process, Giveaways & Reviews!

Old School - You like? I found this in my dad's attic. We've come a long way, baby!

WRITING PROCESS

When I first started writing, I didn’t outline. At all. I just sat down and started writing, flying with the story right along with the characters. I was what you’d call a panster writer (I wrote by the seat of my pants). Then later, when my books’ storylines became more complex, and especially as I moved further into a series, for my own sanity I had to learn to outline.

I don’t write 100 page synopsis, because then I’d feel like I’ve already written a mini version of the story, but instead I write one-liners that say, This happens in this scene, then another one-liner that says, and then this happens in this scene. I do this over and over until I’ve created a basic outline of the whole story. That process works for me, mainly so I know “where” I’m planning to go. Do I veer off the outline? Heck yeah, but at least I can look ahead in my “very loose outline” and anticipate where I wanted to go, so I can see how to get on track. Or even if I want to. 😉 I guess my current process makes me a hybrid-pantster, because I lightly outline the story, but I still give myself lots of permission to adapt it as I go.

Haha, of course this is just my process for the rough draft. Then I layer. That’s a whole other cray-cray process. Think onions and tears, but BOY does it add flavor to the story! 😉

As far as writing a story, I’m an linear writer, which means I write the story that I see playing in my head like a movie from start to finish. I might think ahead to scenes I want to write, but I don’t actually write that scene until I get to it in the story. I have some writer friends who write all over they place, meaning that they write the scenes in the story as the scenes come to them and then at the end, they piece all the scenes into place, moving them around and weaving them into the story. It always boggles my mind that some of my friends can work like that. LOL! But see that’s the beauty of it, there’s not a right or a wrong way to create a story. It all comes down to how YOUR writing brain works to help you get the story written. 🙂

GUEST POST/GIVEAWAYS

Check out the guest blog I did with Kristi at The Book Faery where  wrote about mythology and the BRIGHTEST KIND OF DARKNESS world.  While you’re there, enter for a chance to win two different prizes, 1 eBook and 1 print copy of BRIGHTEST KIND OF DARKNESS!  (Giveaway ends in 3 days)

 

Don’t forget, I’m offering a chance to win a SIGNED copy of BRIGHTEST KIND OF DARKNESS!  Go here to enter. (Giveaway ends in two days)

INTERVIEW

Anna has asked several authors a series of interview questions on her The Bursting Bookshelf blog over the past week. Go here to check out my answers to:

1) Where did you come up with the idea for your book?
2) Did you find finishing writing your book bittersweet?
3) What is your favorite part of writing for the genre that you do?
4) What has been the most rewarding aspect of being an author?
5) Was there any part of your book that was particularly hard to write?
6) Who was your favorite character to write and why? Who was your least?
7) Did you put any aspect of your life into your book?

 

RECENT REVIEW

“…Highly entertaining to those of those who enjoy the paranormal with a good amount of romance mixed in…” Click here to read the entire review at JJ Reads

NEWSLETTER Sign-Up Form

Also, I recently added a sign up form for my newsletter. If you want to be instantly informed when I have a new release, click here and fill out the form sign up for my newsletter.

 

4 1/2 Stars for BRIGHTEST KIND OF DARKNESS from RT Book Reviews!

YAY!!! I’m so very excited to share that RT Book Reviews gave BRIGHTEST KIND OF DARKNESS 4 1/2 Stars! *doing a major happy dance!* Thank you Amy Lignor for the awesome review. Here’s a snippet below.

4 1/2 Stars! “Book one of this series has a truly powerful plot that brings a freshness to the YA genre. It’s a dark, gritty world, starring a girl who knows what lies ahead and a boy who’s trying to leave the past behind. With no vamps or angels, this is an engrossing partnership formed from the dark and macabre, leading readers down a mystical path.” ~ RT Books Reviews

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Also, I wanted to thank Kristi at The Book Faery for including BRIGHTEST KIND OF DARKNESS in her Top Ten Tuesday “Books to Read in a Day” list as well as Amy from Book Loving Mom who also included BRIGHTEST KIND OF DARKNESS in her Top Ten Tuesday “Books to Read in a Day” list. So yay, BKoD made two lists!!!

Ireland & a Giveaway & Latest Reviews

Hi everyone!

I know I’ve been quiet since I’m working on my next book, but with Saint Patrick’s Day almost upon us, I wanted to share a fun Guest Blog I did over at RhiReading.

GUEST BLOG

Want to see pics of Ireland and read a fun “Lucky-in-Love” story and also enter for a chance to win en eBook copy of BRIGHTEST KIND OF DARKNESS? Then click here and read on! 🙂

LATEST REVIEWS

“… Michelle has managed to create something rather unique and different here.  I loved her writing, the pacing, the characters, everything.  This one definitely sucked me in and held me until the end.  I’m so looking forward to the next one!…” Click here to read the entire review at Readergirl Reviews a Teen Book

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“… I was so pleasantly surprised by how much I really enjoyed her book and how unique the story was right from the start. I truly love to be able to read a book that is unlike any other I have read before. To me it make for such a fun and intriguing read. There are always books out there to read about vampires, witches, werewolf’s, ect but to be able to pick one up and discover a untold story that will have you falling in love with the character’s or feeling you can’t put the book down because you just need to know what will happen to next is priceless…”  Click here to read the entire review at Bittersweet Enchantment

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“…YOU GUYS! I’m about to tell you about a book that I loved! It is action-packed, the pacing is perfect, and the plot is seamless. The characters are amazing and believable, the mythology is original, and the romance is perfect. If you are one of those people that do not typically read self-published books I would say to you that this is a great place to start. If you trust my opinion, check this one out…”  Click here to read the entire review at Into the Hall of Books

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“…Brightest Kind of Darkness is full of suspense, especially as Nara loses her powers. I was surprised on many occasions as the story unfolded and Michelle fills in the gaps in the story with extremely plausible, awesome explanations. Michelle has done a great job captivating her readers and I am eagerly awaiting the sequel…”  Click here to read the entire review at A Book Vacation

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“… I really enjoyed the slow build of their friendship to eventually more. It felt real and natural. No insta~love and no love triangles. Ethan still has a mystery surrounding him but he is very supportive of Nara and eventually very honest as well. He didn’t drag everything out for a long length of time. They had some great butterfly worthy scenes. I’m very picky in my romances so I’m happy to say that I really enjoyed their relationship…”  Click here to read the entire review at Some Like it Paranormal