A Goodreads user asked Michael Jensen:

I note you have both Montgomery and Michener listed in your influences, two great literary/historical fiction authors, as well as genre writers like King and Tolkien. Do you begin works with a historical setting in mind, building a story within the world you have in mind, or do you (like King) begin with the plot and then find an appropriate setting to convey your story?

Michael Jensen What an interesting question! Both Firelands and Frontiers were based on an actual person -- John Chapman, better known today as Johnny Appleseed -- so the facts of his life dictated the setting.That being said I was very drawn to his time on the western Pennsylvania frontier where white civilization was almost non-existent. I'm always drawn to extremes where it feels like anything can happen.

For my current novel, Flood, the historical facts also dictates the setting in which I have to tell my story. But again, I was drawn to this particular story, both for its location in time -- 8,000 years ago -- and the setting -- ancient Turkey because I find them fascinating.

I'm currently working on a contemporary novel that could be set anywhere, but I chose Seattle, both because I love the city and because I think the city's dynamism fits with the story.

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