Author Interview: Michele James

Michele James has just released her new book, Warrior Mine and it has fantastic reviews! Let's take a look at her story:

1. Thank you for joining us. Please tell me a little about yourself.

I live in a southern California beach town with my husband, a mini panther, and two

crazy cattle dogs. I am the proud mother of an adult son and daughter and Oma to my

favorite little person, my grandson. I’m a retired veterinary technician and my pastimes

are gardening, cooking, yoga, and beach walks, especially in the winter and always with a

notebook and pen in my pocket.

2. Could you let us in on what you’re working on now?

Boroughs Publishing Group will be releasing my fifth book, a Medieval historical romance titled

Warrior Mine, on Aug 30th , so I will be diving into social media preparing for its release.

I’ve also started the research for a post-civil war romance that takes place in Hell’s Gate,

Montana.

3. Which of your stories is your favorite?

My favorite to write was The Lion & The Swan, the first book of my Destined series, a historical

romance with elements of fantasy that takes place in ancient Mesopotamia. It’s the story of star-

crossed love between a prince and a foreign slave, and I let myself go full swoon, forbidden love

at first sight.

4. What’s your inspiration?

Books, movies, art, nature, history, life.

5. How and when did you begin writing?

My paternal grandmother, who lived on a farm in Nebraska, and I started writing letters to each

other when I was in elementary school, and I’ve always considered that the start of my writing. I

took a creative writing class in high school and was encouraged by the teacher to continue my

writing. I won a couple of poetry contests in school, and then got about the business of life. I’ve

always been a reader, especially of romances, and I fooled around with writing stories for years

while raising my children, but when my youngest went off to college, I became serious about

writing and joined a local writer’s group, which have been invaluable in my journey to published

writer.

6. What is one of your favorite books by another author?

Precious Bane, by Mary Webb, first published in 1926. I love the purity of the love story, the

language, and how the setting is a character unto itself.

7. Have you considered writing in other genres?

No. Never. Historical romance is where my brain and heart go every time.

8. What is your writing process? Do you need silence or music?

My process evolves a little with each book, and deadline, as far as time of day, time spent at my

laptop, and kitchen table vs office desk depending on time of year and where the sun shines

through which window, but the one consistent thing is that I write the first draft in thirds. I write

the first third, then go back and edit and write through the second third, then go back to the

beginning and edit and write through to the end. This way I tend not to lose the details and the

threads I’m weaving into the story. Then I revise and edit the entire MS two to three times more,

the last edit always being a “read aloud” edit. One thing I’ve learned is that the habit of writing

regularly helps keep the story in your head, even when you’re not actively thinking about it,

which is why so many “aha” moments occur while walking or gardening or in the shower.

I almost always listen to music as I write, and end up with a very loose playlist for each book.

Though when the words are flowing, I don't always notice when the music ends.

9. How long does it usually take you to write a book?

My first book, The Lion & The Sawn, took three years. My fourth book, The Stag & The Owl,

the fourth book in my Destined series and under contract, was written in four months, and was,

as my publisher commented, much rougher.

10. Have you ever had the dreaded Writer’s Block?

Oh, yes. I have learned to “respect the mull”, to take long walks with my little notebook in hand,

to read a book or watch a movie, or three, and then sit back down and open my laptop.

11. Do you have pets?

I have one cat, two dogs, and a colony of lizards in my backyard. I’m a retired veterinary

technician and through the years I’ve also bottle raised hundreds of kittens, dozens of puppies,

and rehabbed raptors and sea birds. I have yet to write a book where the animals weren't

characters in their own right, and probably never will.

12. What is your favorite part of writing? Do you have favorite plots?

I love diving into the characters and their worlds and weaving the different threads of a story

together. I like all plots and tropes; it just depends on the characters and story.

13. Is anything new on the horizon?

Warrior Mine, my medieval romance will be released in 2022.

14. Do you have anything that you absolutely need to have in order to write?

Tea, iced or hot.

15. Could you tell me the heat rating of your books out of 5 flames?

I would say 4 to 4.5, with three to four good, steamy love scenes per book.

16. Who is your main source of support for your writing?

My husband, definitely. Writing a book is very time intensive, and he’s never been anything but

supportive, even if it means cereal for dinner, again. And my SoCal Romance Writers group.

17. Is there anything you’d like to add?

Reviews. Reviews are so important for a book, and so difficult to get. So if you read a book,

please leave a review. The author will be so grateful.

Click the picture below to see all of Michele's books: