Ask the Author: Michelle Styles
Answered Questions (11)
Michelle Styles
First of all, you have to write because an idea grabs hold and won't let go. It is all about desire, dedication, discipline, determination and persistence. It is about what you do AFTER you have had a response which is important.
And until you submit a ms, you have no idea if the manuscript will be rejected or not. After you have written the first draft, do your research -- see which agents/publishing houses publish the sort of ms you have written, target those. Remember you can only write like you and therefore have a monopoly on your voice. Learn the basics of your genre -- for example, learn what the spine of your story is, what core story do you tend to tell. Concentrate on controlling the only thing you can control -- your writing and make it the best possible.
And until you submit a ms, you have no idea if the manuscript will be rejected or not. After you have written the first draft, do your research -- see which agents/publishing houses publish the sort of ms you have written, target those. Remember you can only write like you and therefore have a monopoly on your voice. Learn the basics of your genre -- for example, learn what the spine of your story is, what core story do you tend to tell. Concentrate on controlling the only thing you can control -- your writing and make it the best possible.
Michelle Styles
It is very hard to choose just one! There are many I love. Simply because they first alerted me the possibilities of romance in a Dark Age setting way back when I was about 9, I'd have to say Eilonwy and Taran from Lloyd Alexander's The High King.
Michelle Styles
The idea for writing a Viking romance came from my editors over a lunch. I had done several Romans by that point and they wanted to know if I would ever consider doing Vikings. I was surprised as I had just read an article that the Viking historical romance was v dead and no one was ever going to buy that period. HOWEVER my editors had crunched numbers and had found the few Vikings they had published had done well.
I am part Swedish and Norwegian and one of the first books I can clearly recall was a lavishly illustrated book of Scandinavian fairy tales. Some of the stories absolutely frightened me but one about a woman who was carried off on a horse to found Sweden intrigued me. I figured that I could write Vikings as long as I was free to write them my way.
My sister majored in history at the University of Oslo so she was an early resource in pointing the direction towards what I should write. She was always disappointed in the pillage and rape books as she felt there was much more to the Vikings and their culture.
Added into the mix was the fact that I had a planned trip to Iceland that summer and so was able to some substantive research (including falling off an Icelandic horse when it began to shift).
I am part Swedish and Norwegian and one of the first books I can clearly recall was a lavishly illustrated book of Scandinavian fairy tales. Some of the stories absolutely frightened me but one about a woman who was carried off on a horse to found Sweden intrigued me. I figured that I could write Vikings as long as I was free to write them my way.
My sister majored in history at the University of Oslo so she was an early resource in pointing the direction towards what I should write. She was always disappointed in the pillage and rape books as she felt there was much more to the Vikings and their culture.
Added into the mix was the fact that I had a planned trip to Iceland that summer and so was able to some substantive research (including falling off an Icelandic horse when it began to shift).
Michelle Styles
I have found exercising 6 times a week helps. Also eating healthy. Recently I had to give up caffeine because I suffer from tinnitus (ringing the ears) The ringing has decreased and the productivity increased. I was not expecting the increase in the idea flow.
Michelle Styles
That is a very hard question, actually.
Right now, I am in love with the early Anglo Saxon period. The trouble(and pleasure) with that period is the concrete information is v thin on the ground. It means a lot has to be guess work. I also like it because you do have very strong women. What is interesting is that a number of cultures had strong women from around about the same period and then in the tenth/eleventh centuries, the opportunities and expectations for women changed. I am not exactly sure why either.
In the less out there front, I do like the early Victorian era because it was an era great change, and sort of a false dawn for women.
One of the things I have been very interested to find out is how the status of women changed and evolved.
Right now, I am in love with the early Anglo Saxon period. The trouble(and pleasure) with that period is the concrete information is v thin on the ground. It means a lot has to be guess work. I also like it because you do have very strong women. What is interesting is that a number of cultures had strong women from around about the same period and then in the tenth/eleventh centuries, the opportunities and expectations for women changed. I am not exactly sure why either.
In the less out there front, I do like the early Victorian era because it was an era great change, and sort of a false dawn for women.
One of the things I have been very interested to find out is how the status of women changed and evolved.
Michelle Styles
It depends on how close the deadline is! Actually I find Nora Roberts's advice to be excellent -- sometimes you just have to put your hands on the keyboard and trust the *girls in the basement* to show up.
If truly blocked, it can be because I took a wrong turning. If it is because there is intense emotional turmoil in other parts of my life, this can be a signal to refill the well and do lots of unrelated reading. But because writing is a bit like breathing for me, putting my hands on the keyboard can work.
If truly blocked, it can be because I took a wrong turning. If it is because there is intense emotional turmoil in other parts of my life, this can be a signal to refill the well and do lots of unrelated reading. But because writing is a bit like breathing for me, putting my hands on the keyboard can work.
Michelle Styles
My most recent book -- Saved by the Viking Warrior-- came about because I wanted to explore what could happen to a woman from a privileged background who suddenly lost everything and had to rely on herself and a man whom she had considered her deadliest enemy for survival.
Michelle Styles
Finish the first draft. It is the 4 Ds plus one P. Dedication, discipline, determination, desire and perseverance. One reason many writers are published -- they didn't quit but kept writing and submitting.
Michelle Styles
There are several great things. One of the things I treasure most is hearing from readers that they enjoyed my books.
Michelle Styles
I write because I am easier to live with when I do. I channel my imagination into my characters rather than worrying about my family. Getting my bottom in my character gives the signal.
Michelle Styles
I am currently working on another Viking -- working title Summer of Her Viking Warrior. It is due into my editor on 1 October and is Valdar Nerison's (a secondary character in Return of the Viking Warrior) story
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