Today’s Q&A Thursday is with Author Michelle Clay
Enjoy and Comment!
Why did you start writing and when did you decide to go
professional?
professional?
I grew up in a house full of readers and everyone’s
tastes were different. Horror for my brother, sci-fi and fantasy for my uncle
and my mom adored romance and mystery. Of course, I became a voracious reader
and I devoured everything in the genres they read. Sometimes I would complain
that a certain book hadn’t ended right or that the hero should have done
something different for a more satisfying outcome. One day, after a
particularly long rant, my grandmother said, “Why don’t you try writing your
own?” I did and by the time I was in high school, I’d written my first novella.
Writing felt good and it felt right. I knew, without a doubt this would be what
I wanted to do when I grew up.
tastes were different. Horror for my brother, sci-fi and fantasy for my uncle
and my mom adored romance and mystery. Of course, I became a voracious reader
and I devoured everything in the genres they read. Sometimes I would complain
that a certain book hadn’t ended right or that the hero should have done
something different for a more satisfying outcome. One day, after a
particularly long rant, my grandmother said, “Why don’t you try writing your
own?” I did and by the time I was in high school, I’d written my first novella.
Writing felt good and it felt right. I knew, without a doubt this would be what
I wanted to do when I grew up.
Do you write in more than one genre? Which ones and which do
you like the best?
you like the best?
I primarily write paranormal romance, but I have dabbled
in urban fantasy and horror. My first love is all things horror, but I enjoy
weaving romance into my stories since it does play such a big part in our real
lives. I’ve always loved the idea of a heroine overcoming supernatural
obstacles in her path and finding love on the way. I think this is why my
stories tend to be a bit darker than some others you may have read.
in urban fantasy and horror. My first love is all things horror, but I enjoy
weaving romance into my stories since it does play such a big part in our real
lives. I’ve always loved the idea of a heroine overcoming supernatural
obstacles in her path and finding love on the way. I think this is why my
stories tend to be a bit darker than some others you may have read.
Do you read other author’s books when you’re writing? If so,
do you read the same genre or something different?
do you read the same genre or something different?
When I’m writing, I really don’t read anything else. I
tend to get into the zone and have a one track mind when it comes to the plot
and characters. I don’t want anything to corrupt my story or be similar to
anything else that’s already written.
tend to get into the zone and have a one track mind when it comes to the plot
and characters. I don’t want anything to corrupt my story or be similar to
anything else that’s already written.
What is the most difficult part of the entire writing
process for you? Queries, pitches, editing..etc.
process for you? Queries, pitches, editing..etc.
Synopsis writing is the bane of my existence. It’s
beyond me how as an author, I can write you an entire novel, but ask me to sum
it up in 2 to 7 pages… forget it!
beyond me how as an author, I can write you an entire novel, but ask me to sum
it up in 2 to 7 pages… forget it!
Author Bio: Even as a child, Michelle Clay wasn’t afraid of the
things that went bump in the night. In fact, the thought of a world where
werewolves roamed and Dracula reigned king may seem like an eldritch dream to
most, but was exciting to Michelle. Instead of turning on a light for comfort, she
reveled in the dark, imagining what was roaming the night and frightening those
who didn’t truly appreciate the supernatural.
things that went bump in the night. In fact, the thought of a world where
werewolves roamed and Dracula reigned king may seem like an eldritch dream to
most, but was exciting to Michelle. Instead of turning on a light for comfort, she
reveled in the dark, imagining what was roaming the night and frightening those
who didn’t truly appreciate the supernatural.
Nowadays, her visions continuously take shape as she
brings life to the worlds she has imagined since childhood. The wild imaginings
that often got Michelle out of, or more often into, trouble as a young girl
have informed and enriched her storytelling as an adult, bringing a fresh new voice
to the paranormal romance genre.
brings life to the worlds she has imagined since childhood. The wild imaginings
that often got Michelle out of, or more often into, trouble as a young girl
have informed and enriched her storytelling as an adult, bringing a fresh new voice
to the paranormal romance genre.
Book blurb
Bitter Black Kiss
Former event planner Nicole Riley lost not only her job,
but part of her humanity when a concert in L.A., fails in catastrophic
proportions as the band attacks a rival werewolf pack in attendance. As one of
the infected, Nicky has been keeping her “inner beast” in check by taking
wolf’s bane, trying to remain in denial, and refusing to become a monster.
She’s also slowly begun to rebuild her reputation after the L.A. massacre and has deep respect for Sean
Stone because he took a chance on her when no one else would. Now she is in
charge of the entertainment for all of Sean’s nightclubs and her life is as
close to normal as it gets. Then Brody, the dee-jay at Bitter Black, plays on
her sympathy by claiming to have just suffered a wolf bite and she can’t turn
him away. She’s very attracted to Brody, but is it wise to mentor him when she
can’t even accept what she is? Things take a dark turn when she finds out he’s
been lying to her all along.
but part of her humanity when a concert in L.A., fails in catastrophic
proportions as the band attacks a rival werewolf pack in attendance. As one of
the infected, Nicky has been keeping her “inner beast” in check by taking
wolf’s bane, trying to remain in denial, and refusing to become a monster.
She’s also slowly begun to rebuild her reputation after the L.A. massacre and has deep respect for Sean
Stone because he took a chance on her when no one else would. Now she is in
charge of the entertainment for all of Sean’s nightclubs and her life is as
close to normal as it gets. Then Brody, the dee-jay at Bitter Black, plays on
her sympathy by claiming to have just suffered a wolf bite and she can’t turn
him away. She’s very attracted to Brody, but is it wise to mentor him when she
can’t even accept what she is? Things take a dark turn when she finds out he’s
been lying to her all along.
Brody Dunn is a former police detective in special
crimes, a unit that deals with werewolves. When a stripper is found in an alley
with a lethal dose of BST (street name: Beast) in her system, Brody poses as a
dee-jay at Bitter Black. He’s convinced Sean Stone is the one bringing the drug
into the city and his employee, Nicole was the last one in the dancer’s
apartment. Brody also knows that Stone has laid down a challenge to the local
Alpha and wants to become Pack Leader himself. A change in leadership that
Brody is dead set against. In order to get close to Stone, he uses Nicole and
pretends to be newly infected by the werewolf virus. He knows that she’s a
bleeding heart and will do what she can to help him. What he doesn’t count on
is the way Nicole affects him by merely walking in a room.
crimes, a unit that deals with werewolves. When a stripper is found in an alley
with a lethal dose of BST (street name: Beast) in her system, Brody poses as a
dee-jay at Bitter Black. He’s convinced Sean Stone is the one bringing the drug
into the city and his employee, Nicole was the last one in the dancer’s
apartment. Brody also knows that Stone has laid down a challenge to the local
Alpha and wants to become Pack Leader himself. A change in leadership that
Brody is dead set against. In order to get close to Stone, he uses Nicole and
pretends to be newly infected by the werewolf virus. He knows that she’s a
bleeding heart and will do what she can to help him. What he doesn’t count on
is the way Nicole affects him by merely walking in a room.
Stone is used to having his way and getting what he
wants. He now wants Nicole whether she’s agreeable or not. He’s more than happy
to expose Brody’s secrets to her while hiding his own. Will Nicole be able to
navigate the dark and treacherous path between the two men? For it’s not just a
choice between her career or her heart, but her humanity hangs in the balance.
Which will she choose?
wants. He now wants Nicole whether she’s agreeable or not. He’s more than happy
to expose Brody’s secrets to her while hiding his own. Will Nicole be able to
navigate the dark and treacherous path between the two men? For it’s not just a
choice between her career or her heart, but her humanity hangs in the balance.
Which will she choose?
Great interview into the beginning of your writing extravaganza and what tantalized you into your current genre of writing. Loved Bitter Black Kiss! Can't wait for more
Thanks Jenn! It was fun and not your everyday interview. 🙂
I normally comment earlier in the day but I've got a Day Job again! BOO! Love the interview and excerpt!! Thanks for the great read!