Ask the Author: Michele Wesley
Answered Questions (10)
Michele Wesley
Here goes my attempt:
After I dragged my weighted body from my mattress, I peeled open one eye and my bedroom mirror showed me the distorted view of a fist-size hole in the side of my head and my brains splatter all over the walls. My brother did this to me as my wife watched, and although I didn’t yet know if I was dead or alive, revenge permeated the air heavier than the potent rusted sent of my blood.
After I dragged my weighted body from my mattress, I peeled open one eye and my bedroom mirror showed me the distorted view of a fist-size hole in the side of my head and my brains splatter all over the walls. My brother did this to me as my wife watched, and although I didn’t yet know if I was dead or alive, revenge permeated the air heavier than the potent rusted sent of my blood.
Michele Wesley
I'm currently reading the books of The Hidden Saga by Amy Patrick. There are currently seven novels and one novella in the series. I started the series around May 10th and it should take me through the summer, but I'm already on book four which is a testament as to how much I'm enjoying the series. The Hidden series is YA, Paranormal/Fantasy, and I would highly recommend the entertaining series to readers of the Genre. I will also be reading the books from the Edgewood Series by Karen McQuestion which is also YA, Paranormal/Fantasy. Since I'm currently working on my own YA book, I intend to read and learn from authors who are doing well in the Genre I feel passionate about writing in.
Michele Wesley
This is a great question!
Unfortunately, I can’t give a straight answer because I’d be telling deep dark secrets that I don’t want anyone to know. People that know me personally will say that I’m quiet, laid back, nice, polite; a gentle soul. That is what I let them see. That is what I want them to see. That is what I let them believe. Let’s just say, some of the characters I write are not just figments of my imagination. Answer: If I had to plot a mystery based on my life, it would be the good girl that gets the bad guy(s) in the end. She gets them by playing their bad game just as good as they do.
Unfortunately, I can’t give a straight answer because I’d be telling deep dark secrets that I don’t want anyone to know. People that know me personally will say that I’m quiet, laid back, nice, polite; a gentle soul. That is what I let them see. That is what I want them to see. That is what I let them believe. Let’s just say, some of the characters I write are not just figments of my imagination. Answer: If I had to plot a mystery based on my life, it would be the good girl that gets the bad guy(s) in the end. She gets them by playing their bad game just as good as they do.
Michele Wesley
I have many favorite fictional couples, each for different reasons, but the ones that are sticking in my brain at the moment are Christopher and Ashleigh from Pepper Pace’s book Beast. Without giving away too much of the main plot of the book, these two both faced their own kinds of hell but managed to pull each other through. Ashleigh was able to look past society’s standard of beauty and find beauty within Christopher “Beast” that others dared not look close enough or deep enough to find. The couple accepted each other as-is and motivated each other to grow from there. Apart the couple couldn’t find within themselves the strength and beauty that the other had so easily found. Together they made each other better, motivated each other, and did right by each other no matter what was thrown at them and believe me, a lot gets thrown at these two. Beast is a very inspiring book that I’d recommend to readers of any genre.
Michele Wesley
My experience in the military actually provides me interesting sparks and bits of interesting concepts that I sometimes weave into some of my stories. I will always feel honored to have served this country, but I have experienced and seen some of the worse tragedies imaginable while deployed in Iraq. Having been diagnosed with PTSD, I still struggle with those bad times. When one of my characters is struggling with an issue or is saddened or struggling with one of my impossibly tragic plots, I use the way I felt during those bad times to intensify my character’s feelings.
The military also provided me the opportunity to travel around the globe. Spending time in many different countries, I have experienced and interacted with many different cultures. I have used and will continue to use some of those experiences in my books.
Overall, my experience in the military has a positive effect on my writing.
The military also provided me the opportunity to travel around the globe. Spending time in many different countries, I have experienced and interacted with many different cultures. I have used and will continue to use some of those experiences in my books.
Overall, my experience in the military has a positive effect on my writing.
Michele Wesley
Reading a lot of Paranormal Romance, I started to see the same characters and scenarios over and over. I wanted to change up the game and push readers to allow themselves to think outside the box that has been built around our Paranormal Romance novels. The main character and heroine in Smoke & Fire is a black female, certainly not a typical character in Paranormal Romance novels. The co-main character and hero, Mycale, is white and Sori’s love interest. I was inspired to introduce readers to the something different they may be hoping for and probably wasn’t expecting. This book has a raw edgy feel that I believe readers will appreciate. I wasn’t afraid to show character flaws and weaknesses that any normal person can relate to. I also pushed the character’s moral compass a bit, pushing them to straddle a line of what society deem decent or inappropriate. I gave the reader romance and sex. Not bad sex either, good nail-breaking, talk dirty, grab the sheets, and a hand full of hair kind of sex.
I know...long way around answering the question, but the idea for my recent book came as a result of me writing something what I'd like to read.
I know...long way around answering the question, but the idea for my recent book came as a result of me writing something what I'd like to read.
Michele Wesley
I try not to let myself get blocked.
I write everyday, even when I don't feel like it. After dragging myself in from a full-time day job, I still find the time to get a few hundred words on the page.
I write everyday, even when I don't feel like it. After dragging myself in from a full-time day job, I still find the time to get a few hundred words on the page.
Michele Wesley
The best thing about being a writing is having the freedom to speak my mind, think outside the box, and shatter some of the traditions that keeps us sheltered in a box we may be struggling to get out of. The idea that readers are getting some type of enjoyment or excitement out of something that was born of my mind is extraordinary and is my number one motivator to keep writing.
Michele Wesley
Write every day!
Write when you’re feeling, good, bad, and ugly or down and out. You will be surprised as how words and ideas on a page can come alive and seemingly heal you like an undiscovered medicine.
Edit....a lot!
Get others to read your work and edit some more. I made the rookie mistake of letting my first book into the market with errors and thankfully readers still supported me. I am currently having my first book re-edit for a better reading experience and promised everyone that supported the first edition book a free re-edited version as well as a free download of my second book.
Cherish your supporters and Readers!
They are the life support that will make you a better writer. They are the food that will feed your mind. Without them...you are invisible.
Write when you’re feeling, good, bad, and ugly or down and out. You will be surprised as how words and ideas on a page can come alive and seemingly heal you like an undiscovered medicine.
Edit....a lot!
Get others to read your work and edit some more. I made the rookie mistake of letting my first book into the market with errors and thankfully readers still supported me. I am currently having my first book re-edit for a better reading experience and promised everyone that supported the first edition book a free re-edited version as well as a free download of my second book.
Cherish your supporters and Readers!
They are the life support that will make you a better writer. They are the food that will feed your mind. Without them...you are invisible.
Michele Wesley
Currently, I work a full time day job, but I am working on the editing of book #2 of the Smoke & Fire Series, Called Body Box. Yes, it is as gruesome as it sounds but dives further into the paranormal world I am slowly building, and of course there is hot and spicy sexiness.
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