Ask the Author: Michelle Willingham
Answered Questions (4)
Michelle Willingham
The first book, A Viking for the Viscountess, is book one in the series--A Most Peculiar Season. Four other authors created Regency books with a magical touch, and I mention some of their characters in a ballroom scene. They also mentioned Arik in their books, and they have a loose connection, in that, our books take place during the same Regency Season. Each book stands alone, but we thought it would be fun to have that continuity. A Maiden for the Marquess is its own separate book, though, since it takes place during the Viking era. It's the direct sequel to A Viking for the Viscountess, and since Viking is book one in the Most Peculiar Season series, I went ahead and added Marquess as book 6, since that's the next listing. On the online retail sites, it would be too difficult to list it as a separate series. Confusing, I know, but that's why.
Michelle Willingham
Hi Cintia,
I'm sorry you're having trouble with writer's block. Everybody goes through it, and it can be a real struggle. First, you should ask yourself if you're writing something that you enjoy. Sometimes you try to write in a genre that doesn't fit your style. I could never write science fiction, for example.
Second, give yourself permission to write garbage. Many people think that writers automatically come out with brilliant plots and prose. That's not true at all. About half of what I write gets thrown out, but it's not truly a waste of time. I have to write through the garbage to get to the good stuff. So tell yourself you're going to write one sentence today, no matter how bad it is. Then tomorrow, write another sentence. Or maybe a paragraph. The point is to get yourself back into writing every day. And even if you throw everything out, again--it's not wasted effort. It's helping you get back into the fun of writing. Write something purely for the joy of it. Don't worry about if it's any good. Write to entertain yourself and throw all the rules out the window.
Wishing you all the best of luck!
Michelle
I'm sorry you're having trouble with writer's block. Everybody goes through it, and it can be a real struggle. First, you should ask yourself if you're writing something that you enjoy. Sometimes you try to write in a genre that doesn't fit your style. I could never write science fiction, for example.
Second, give yourself permission to write garbage. Many people think that writers automatically come out with brilliant plots and prose. That's not true at all. About half of what I write gets thrown out, but it's not truly a waste of time. I have to write through the garbage to get to the good stuff. So tell yourself you're going to write one sentence today, no matter how bad it is. Then tomorrow, write another sentence. Or maybe a paragraph. The point is to get yourself back into writing every day. And even if you throw everything out, again--it's not wasted effort. It's helping you get back into the fun of writing. Write something purely for the joy of it. Don't worry about if it's any good. Write to entertain yourself and throw all the rules out the window.
Wishing you all the best of luck!
Michelle
Michelle Willingham
Usually I need to unwind after sending it off. Sometimes that means cleaning the house while listening to music (it's scary what a "deadline" house looks like because you're so immersed in the book). Or I'll walk the dog, or watch mindless TV that I've been taping (Project Runway, American Idol). I also love Downton Abbey and I can't wait for Outlander and Game of Thrones to continue. Then the next day I start brainstorming a new book. It's hard to have a complete rest because usually multiple books are contracted and you have to begin the next one after you finish the first.
Michelle Willingham
LOL! No, most people know that I couldn't fit any more of my name. :)
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