Monday, November 12, 2012

How Authors Write- Michelle Pickett

Today, I welcome fellow MuseItUp author and friend, 
Michelle Pickett, to share her writing process with us.
What do you write?
I write both adult and young adult urban fantasy, sci/fi and paranormal romances.



Do you use 1st person, 3rd person, multiple POVs?
So far I've only written in the first person POV, but I'm drafting a book that will be in the third person. I'm finding it a lot harder than I thought it would be.

How do you get started with a book- is it an idea, a character, vary from story to story?
It is usually the story that comes first for me. Although, sometimes the story and the main character show up simultaneously.

Do you draft quickly or are you more detailed in your draft?
I'm not a fast drafter. It usually takes me about six weeks to draft my first draft and another six to do revisions and rewrites. [Wow! That seems fast to me, but my drafts are all over the place!]

Do you do research before your first draft, during?
I don't usually have a lot of research that needs to be done, but if I do I tend to do it while I'm writing rather than before.

Do you outline? How?
I don't, is the short answer. I have a general idea and just go with that. However, I'm starting to see the benefits of having at least a loose outline to follow. I haven't found the method that works best for me yet, so I'm trying different formats. I've been reading some craft books on outlining. So far I've just been jotting down notes and keeping them in order in relation to the storyline.

Do you name everything up front when you are drafting or do you leave comments for yourself to go back and fill in later so you don't lose the flow of what you are working on?
I generally name everything up front, but that doesn't mean the name will stick. I've been known to change names a few times before finding the one that I "feel" fits.

Do you work with CP's or Beta's? How soon into your draft do you let them see your work?
Nope, I've never worked with them. When I started writing Concilium I didn't know they existed. Afterward, when I learned of them, I was never really sure how to go about finding one to work with. I have some family members and friends that read my work that I call my "Betas and CPs" but they really aren't.

What books/websites have you found most helpful to helping you write your best?
Hooked, by Les Edgerton.
Sin and Syntax: How to Craft Wickedly Effective Prose by Constance Hale.
Self-Editing for Fiction Writers, How to Edit Yourself into Print by Renni Browne, Dave King.
The Emotion Thesaurus: A Writer's Guide to Character Expression by Angela Ackerman, Becca Puglisi

What do you know now that you wish you knew when you started writing.
I wish I knew about Beta readers and Critique partners and how important they are. I think Concilium would have been a much stronger book if I'd had some additional input from outside sources. It's hard to be objective when it's your "baby."

What do you have out now, or coming out? Any upcoming events? A website we can find you and your books at? An author photo? A booktrailer? Anything else you want to share?


Concilium was released in July. 








The sequel, Concilium: The Departure, is scheduled for release in November. Both are published through MuseItUp Publishing.




PODs, my debut young adult novel, will release in paperback through Spencer Hill Press June 4, 2013 (my son's 12th birthday!) [I think that is so awesome!]




I just signed a second contract with Spencer Hill Press for a young adult paranormal romance, titled Milayna, that will release in paperback in March of 2014.

Upcoming Events: I'll be at the 2013 Book Expo America in at the Javits Center in NYC signing copies of PODs.

Places you can find me on the web:
Book Buy Links:

Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your process, Michelle!
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2 comments:

  1. UnknownNovember 12, 2012 at 4:06 PM

    Thank you so much for having me on your blog today, Mary!

    Michelle :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Dianne K. SalerniNovember 12, 2012 at 5:06 PM

    "I'm not a fast drafter. It takes me six weeks."
    WHAT? WHAT!

    It takes me four to six months!

    Thanks for the interview, Michelle and Mary!

    ReplyDelete

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