Instead of doing a First Sentence Friday post today... I decided to do something a little different. Today I have
Author Michelle Pickett on for a fun little interview.
Michelle
has been an avid reader since a young child.
She began writing for personal enjoyment in college, where she graduated
Summa Cum Laude with a degree in accounting.
Deciding sitting in a cubical all day was her form of cruel and unusual
punishment, she decided to do what she really wanted to—share her passion for
reading and writing with others.
She
wrote her debut novel Concilium in 2010. It was released July of 2012 by MuseItUp
Publishing. The sequel, Concilium: The Departure will also be
published by MuseItUp Publishing with scheduled release date of November
2012.
Her
Debut young adult novel, PODs, will be published by Spencer Hill Press and is
scheduled for release in paperback June 4th, 2013.
Michelle was born and raised in
Michigan. She now resides in a small
community outside Houston, Texas with her incredibly supportive husband, four
wonderful children, a 125-pound lap dog, a very grumpy cockatiel and a cat that
thinks she's queen.
Michelle
writes adult and young adult Sci/Fi and urban fantasy romance.
Now not only did I get a chance to interview Michelle...but she interviewed me as well! Head on over to HER BLOG after reading this and view my fun interview!
1) What is your favorite breakfast food?
Cocoa Puffs—I even wrote a scene in my book (Concilium) where the main character is eating them.
2) If you had a million dollars how would you spend it?
I’d probably do something boring and pay my house and bills off. Then maybe take a vacation before socking the rest away for retirement. Anyone want to give me a million dollars so I can test my theory? :)
3) What is the strangest food you have ever eaten?
Frog legs and turtle.
4) What is your favorite season?
Autumn
5) If you had a super power what would it be?
I’d want to be able to move at the speed of light. Think of the things one could accomplish in a day if they could move that fast!
6) What is your favorite holiday and why?
Thanksgiving because it’s a holiday where families just spend time together—and it’s an excuse to eat...a lot.
7) Where do your novel ideas spur from (Ex. dreams, life, music.)?
I never know. Sometimes a song will get my mind working, other times just listening to my kids playing make believe might spark an idea. Inspiration comes from all over.
8) What's your favorite type of music?
It depends on my mood, but generally anything goes. I can be listening to Mozart and Vivaldi one day and Linkin Park and My Chemical Romance the next.
9) Crayons or markers? Why?
Crayons because the color smoother and they don’t make a mess on my hands.
10) Lakes or ocean?
Lakes. I’m from Michigan—The Great Lakes State.
11) Are you a singer or a dancer when listening to music?
LOL! Ah, both. Be glad you aren’t around to see or hear it! It isn’t pretty.
12) What area of your house do you hate to clean the most?
Everywhere that’s located under the roof.
13) What was the worst job you had before becoming a writer?
I was a telemarketer for about two weeks.
Michelle just released her novel Concilium and was nice enough to give me an excerpt to share with you all! Here you go...
Concilium is an Urban Fantasy with a big dose of romance and
little touch of horror. But rather than
tell you what the book is about, I'm going to give you a small glimpse at one
of my favorite scenes. Leslee
is for the first time realizing that she may not survive the obstacle facing
her:
The rain made dusk fall earlier. I
watched as the team grabbed their equipment. I knew they weren't as confident
as they wanted me to believe. They expected a bad night.
“I want a gun.”
Miller looked at me and nodded.
“It’s there in the hall. I want you to stay there. With the front windows
covered and the bedroom doors closed, they won’t be able to see you. Stay on
the floor. Here, put this in your pocket.” He handed me his car key. “If
anything happens, Leslee, if any window breaks, if any of us tells you to go,
get in the car and drive to the lake. Don’t think. Don’t ask questions. Just
go. One of us will be there to get you as soon as it’s safe.”
“And if you aren't?” I asked.
“We will,” he said, his eyes
intense. “We will,” he repeated emphatically.
“Okay.” I tried to manage a smile,
tried to look as self-assured as he seemed. I couldn’t.
“Les, if you need to use the gun,
shoot them in the neck. Right here where a man’s Adam’s apple is. Don’t waste a
shot on the head or anywhere on the body. Just aim for the throat.”
“Okay. Why?”
“Their bodies aren’t built like
ours. Their brains and spinal columns are in slightly different spots because
of their, um, different look,” Brooks said, looking at Miller. “The throat is
the kill shot. Like a shot to the back of the head would be for a human.”
“Okay, the throat,” I said, my
voice wavering. My hands were already shaking. I prayed I could aim the gun if
the time came. I hoped I’d be able to control my fear if I had to face one of
the Imbibo alone.
One by one, the guys hugged me
before they left, the same way they had every night at my house. Why did it
feel so different? Why was I more worried than before? I didn’t have any
answers, but the air felt ominous, the house felt threatening, and a thought
slammed into me.
I
could die here.
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