Michelle Bever's Blog
July 16, 2019
Blog Interview by Christine
This blog interview is by www.ChristineLHenderson.com and I thank her for wanting to ask me these questions.
YYou write about a variety of topics. When did you decide to put your writing out there for others to read? What was the first book you published? What drew you to writing on that topic?
The answer to all three of these questions is the same. My son had multiple learning and behavioral disorders that prescription drugs could not address. His symptoms kept getting worse, and I did not give birth to watch my child suffer, so I started researching. Long story short is I got funded to do my research, and I balanced my son with megavitamin therapy, antispasmodic herbs, herbal drops, diet change, and good parenting. I wrote ADD, ADHD, Autism, OCD, and More! as my first book and put in all the information for those dealing with these issues in a format that they could easily understand. I did not want others to feel like they had no options.
How long did it take you to write your first book? How many rewrites did you do on it? Who helped you with the editing?
It took years to write, rewrite my book, and I paid business to help with the editing.
You've written numerous books on funny stories about animals. What animals do you have at home? Where do all those funny stories come from?
I have a hundred pound Doberman Pincher and a five-pound long-haired golden apple head Chihuahua at home. My family and friends love animals, so there is never a shortage of stories! What's funny right now is Alexander my Doberman is having a bromance with the dog next door, and they have playdates.
How do you write? Do you start with an outline and plot it out? Or are you more of a "pantser"?
I write a lot of my books that are nonfiction with an outline but the fictional series that is faith-based I pray for direction. After I pray, it practically writes itself, and I am happy with that.
I've reviewed statistics on word counts on Kindle pages, and it averages under 190 words per page. Several of your Kindle reads show as having 20-50 pages, which by writing standards would be considered a short story. How well do those shorter reads sell compared to the one you have at 100 or more pages? What is your best selling book? What book are you most proud of writing and why?
My short stories sell very well as all of them are meant to make your day brighter, and the audiobooks sell the best as I have lovely people narrating them. My best sellers are the ADD book and my Vitamins, Minerals, and More! as they contain incredible information. I love all my books for a variety of reasons, and it would be hard to pick just one.
As an indie writer, how much of the book do you design? Do you do design your own cover? Do your own formatting? Do you self-edit or does someone else assist you in the editing?
I try to design most of my books, but I have branched out and paid for a few covers to bring the story to the cover for the reader. I do my formatting, and I always have people read my books to search for errors. It can be very expensive paying for editing. Fortunately, there is a multitude of programs to use to correct grammar. I recently upgraded one of those programs to check further spelling, sentence structure, and more to check my latest book further. It's not inexpensive to do that either, but it brings more to my attention, and I continue to educate myself in the process.
What has surprised you the most in writing/publishing? What frustrated you the most? What surprised me most in the writing and publishing process is that it always is evolving. What frustrates me most is my first fictional faith-based novel that has so much warmth, love, and inspiration has received the most excellent reviews, but others did not say a word about the story but berate me as an author. I am continually updating and uploading newer edited versions for errors I may have missed, and others have to make them read better. I wish people who leave reviews would be helpful when they find a few corrections. I would highly recommend focusing on the merits of the story but also stating you may want to review your editing. Instead, they berate you and appear to think that they are going to win the critics award for being mean. They are so busy looking for errors that they are not reading the story. It's not easy to put your work in front of everyone, and each book is valued. Please give the author the chance to make corrections. I am in the process of doing that with my latest book that is very dear to my heart and that others have thanked me for writing.
What do you know now about writing you wished you had known sooner? I wish I had known sooner about the programs for editing as it helps the writer to become a better writer along with being not as expensive.
What is the best writing advice you've received or could give? I would tell new authors that you cannot please everyone and to be thankful for those you can.
What is the next book coming out? Can you give me a short synopsis?
Lastly, what links would you like to be added at the end?
Thanks for your time and insight. I look forward to reading your responses.
My next book coming out is The Coffee Shop 2: Love Beyond Sight. I have been praying about it, and it will have heartwarming stories about the misconception of thinking a person is one thing then finding out they are something so much more. In today's society, there is a lot of that going on, and feel this is important to change. It will be a blessing. :-)
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=michelle+b...
http://michellebeverbooks.com/
YYou write about a variety of topics. When did you decide to put your writing out there for others to read? What was the first book you published? What drew you to writing on that topic?
The answer to all three of these questions is the same. My son had multiple learning and behavioral disorders that prescription drugs could not address. His symptoms kept getting worse, and I did not give birth to watch my child suffer, so I started researching. Long story short is I got funded to do my research, and I balanced my son with megavitamin therapy, antispasmodic herbs, herbal drops, diet change, and good parenting. I wrote ADD, ADHD, Autism, OCD, and More! as my first book and put in all the information for those dealing with these issues in a format that they could easily understand. I did not want others to feel like they had no options.
How long did it take you to write your first book? How many rewrites did you do on it? Who helped you with the editing?
It took years to write, rewrite my book, and I paid business to help with the editing.
You've written numerous books on funny stories about animals. What animals do you have at home? Where do all those funny stories come from?
I have a hundred pound Doberman Pincher and a five-pound long-haired golden apple head Chihuahua at home. My family and friends love animals, so there is never a shortage of stories! What's funny right now is Alexander my Doberman is having a bromance with the dog next door, and they have playdates.
How do you write? Do you start with an outline and plot it out? Or are you more of a "pantser"?
I write a lot of my books that are nonfiction with an outline but the fictional series that is faith-based I pray for direction. After I pray, it practically writes itself, and I am happy with that.
I've reviewed statistics on word counts on Kindle pages, and it averages under 190 words per page. Several of your Kindle reads show as having 20-50 pages, which by writing standards would be considered a short story. How well do those shorter reads sell compared to the one you have at 100 or more pages? What is your best selling book? What book are you most proud of writing and why?
My short stories sell very well as all of them are meant to make your day brighter, and the audiobooks sell the best as I have lovely people narrating them. My best sellers are the ADD book and my Vitamins, Minerals, and More! as they contain incredible information. I love all my books for a variety of reasons, and it would be hard to pick just one.
As an indie writer, how much of the book do you design? Do you do design your own cover? Do your own formatting? Do you self-edit or does someone else assist you in the editing?
I try to design most of my books, but I have branched out and paid for a few covers to bring the story to the cover for the reader. I do my formatting, and I always have people read my books to search for errors. It can be very expensive paying for editing. Fortunately, there is a multitude of programs to use to correct grammar. I recently upgraded one of those programs to check further spelling, sentence structure, and more to check my latest book further. It's not inexpensive to do that either, but it brings more to my attention, and I continue to educate myself in the process.
What has surprised you the most in writing/publishing? What frustrated you the most? What surprised me most in the writing and publishing process is that it always is evolving. What frustrates me most is my first fictional faith-based novel that has so much warmth, love, and inspiration has received the most excellent reviews, but others did not say a word about the story but berate me as an author. I am continually updating and uploading newer edited versions for errors I may have missed, and others have to make them read better. I wish people who leave reviews would be helpful when they find a few corrections. I would highly recommend focusing on the merits of the story but also stating you may want to review your editing. Instead, they berate you and appear to think that they are going to win the critics award for being mean. They are so busy looking for errors that they are not reading the story. It's not easy to put your work in front of everyone, and each book is valued. Please give the author the chance to make corrections. I am in the process of doing that with my latest book that is very dear to my heart and that others have thanked me for writing.
What do you know now about writing you wished you had known sooner? I wish I had known sooner about the programs for editing as it helps the writer to become a better writer along with being not as expensive.
What is the best writing advice you've received or could give? I would tell new authors that you cannot please everyone and to be thankful for those you can.
What is the next book coming out? Can you give me a short synopsis?
Lastly, what links would you like to be added at the end?
Thanks for your time and insight. I look forward to reading your responses.
My next book coming out is The Coffee Shop 2: Love Beyond Sight. I have been praying about it, and it will have heartwarming stories about the misconception of thinking a person is one thing then finding out they are something so much more. In today's society, there is a lot of that going on, and feel this is important to change. It will be a blessing. :-)
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=michelle+b...
http://michellebeverbooks.com/
July 3, 2019
New Book
I'm already into the second chapter of The Coffee Shop 2 Beyond Sight!
What's amazing is I am beginning to get feedback by those who have read my first book in ebook, paperback, and audiobook...
The greatest compliment to a writer is when at the end of the first book in a series there is a cliff hanger that leads into the next book and people ask when is the next book going to be out?
Also, when people begin to ask about particular characters lives, their interactions, and if there will be new characters...
The second book is already taking on a life of it's own at and about The Coffee Shop featuring new locations in quaint Prescott, Arizona...
To know more you'll just have to read or listen to the book when it come's out :-)
What's amazing is I am beginning to get feedback by those who have read my first book in ebook, paperback, and audiobook...
The greatest compliment to a writer is when at the end of the first book in a series there is a cliff hanger that leads into the next book and people ask when is the next book going to be out?
Also, when people begin to ask about particular characters lives, their interactions, and if there will be new characters...
The second book is already taking on a life of it's own at and about The Coffee Shop featuring new locations in quaint Prescott, Arizona...
To know more you'll just have to read or listen to the book when it come's out :-)
June 21, 2019
Thank you!
The Coffee ShopThe Coffee ShopI just am overwhelmed by how many people entered the drawing for The Coffee Shop book!
There were 1617entries and I am so thankful for the outpouring. I have an ebook of the same book going on and like the fact that so many ebooks will be going out to 100 of those who enter.
I will be soon putting out another book giveaway for 20 of The Coffee Shop with a newer cover but the same fantastic story.
To say that I appreciate the friends, followers, and people who enter to win a book is an understatement...
Thank you!
There were 1617entries and I am so thankful for the outpouring. I have an ebook of the same book going on and like the fact that so many ebooks will be going out to 100 of those who enter.
I will be soon putting out another book giveaway for 20 of The Coffee Shop with a newer cover but the same fantastic story.
To say that I appreciate the friends, followers, and people who enter to win a book is an understatement...
Thank you!
June 1, 2019
New Opportunities
I am so thankful for being a part of the Goodreads community for a multiple of reasons.
Since becoming an author and working with Createspace then KindleDirect Publishing my main source of outreach has been through those who have passed on my books.
It amazes me the continued technology of the online experience and Goodreads helps give us authors a wide range to share our books which otherwise might not get the coverage.
It can be very expensive to promote yourself as an author and I am so excited to get my books out to a larger audience.
Thank you so much for making my experience as an author so rewarding :-)
I just thought I'd share what it's like from the author's view.
The reader is immensely appreciated!
Since becoming an author and working with Createspace then KindleDirect Publishing my main source of outreach has been through those who have passed on my books.
It amazes me the continued technology of the online experience and Goodreads helps give us authors a wide range to share our books which otherwise might not get the coverage.
It can be very expensive to promote yourself as an author and I am so excited to get my books out to a larger audience.
Thank you so much for making my experience as an author so rewarding :-)
I just thought I'd share what it's like from the author's view.
The reader is immensely appreciated!
May 27, 2019
Therapy
It is a form of therapy for me to escape into the blank page and bring it to life. I have a mother in a nursing home that I moved here locally and am thankful I am the one who is near. We visit and I am very much involved with her and the facility.
With all that being said, it is hard to watch a loved one age, lose memory, and know that you are going to lose them one day.
Before I start writing I pray for guidance and direction then the typing comes to life and leads me in all types of directions.
Even in fiction writing, you bring aspects of real life into your stories. I try to bring in the funny and special memories so that not only do I enjoy them but others get to smile also.
I love my mother and hope that through my writing some of her is immortalized through various characters.
Isn't it true for all of us that we want to hold on to the very best of memories?
Just giving you all a little insight into my world...
April 30, 2019
The Coffee Shop
This book is my first fiction novel of a series that I am doing.
Some of my fondest memories are of my father and I having coffee together and talking about everything under the sun.
When friends would come over for coffee to just chat, laugh, cry, and figure out life together are special memories also.
So with all these wonderful thoughts I decided to write a fictional book that would inspire your faith walk, make your laugh, cry(happy tears), and bring you yet even closer to God.
It was euphoric for me to write and hope it is a blessing to read that you will share with others.
Some of my fondest memories are of my father and I having coffee together and talking about everything under the sun.
When friends would come over for coffee to just chat, laugh, cry, and figure out life together are special memories also.
So with all these wonderful thoughts I decided to write a fictional book that would inspire your faith walk, make your laugh, cry(happy tears), and bring you yet even closer to God.
It was euphoric for me to write and hope it is a blessing to read that you will share with others.
